How do you understand INFP? (5 ways)

This blog post aims to answer the question, “How do you understand INFP?” and explore the various dimensions of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP that will help understand the answer. 

How do you understand INFP?

You can understand INFPs in the following 5 ways –

• Understand the INFP’s behaviour.
• Be present and acknowledge and validate the INFP. 
• Take it easy and gradual. 
• Be open and honest. 
• Be patient. 

These 5 ways to understand INFPs will be discussed in further detail below after taking a deeper look at what INFP means. 

Who is an INFP?

The INFP personality type was developed by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers, the authors of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®). INFP stands for Introversion, iNtuition, Feeling, and Perceiving, which are four key personality qualities based on C.G. Jung’s work.

Each of the four letters of the INFP code represents a significant personality feature of the INFP personality type. 

INFPs are stimulated by alone time (Introverted), focus on ideas and concepts rather than facts and specifics (iNtuitive), base their decisions on feelings and values (Feeling), and like to be spontaneous and flexible rather than planned and structured (Perceiving).

Because of their empathetic idealism and gentle concern for others, the INFP personality type is often known as the “Healer.” The INFP is also known by the following nicknames:

• The Thoughtful Idealist (MBTI)
• The Mediator (16Personalities)

An INFP prefers an unstructured and free-spirited lifestyle. INFP is an introverted and ultra-creative Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type. The INFP is sensitive, creative, and loyal to their values.

INFPs are creative idealists who are guided by their primary ideals and beliefs. A Healer who is preoccupied with possibilities; the actuality of the time is merely a fleeting concern. INFPs see the possibility of a brighter future and seek truth and purpose in their own unique way.

INFPs are sensitive, loving, and compassionate people who are highly concerned with their own and others’ personal progress. INFPs are individualistic and nonjudgmental, believing that each person must forge their own path. 

INFPs like spending time investigating their own ideas and ideals, and they gently encourage others to do the same. INFPs are creative and frequently artistic; they like discovering new ways to express themselves.   

INFP Personality Type Characteristics Are –

• INFPs are introverts who are quiet and reserved. INFPs find that being in social situations depletes their energy, thus they prefer to connect with a small number of close pals. While they like being alone, this should not be mistaken for timidity. Rather, it simply implies that INFPs get energy from alone time. INFPs must, on the other hand, devote energy to social circumstances.

• INFPs rely on intuition and are more concerned with the overall picture than the finer points of a situation. INFPs can be quite thorough about things that are important to them or tasks they are working on, yet they tend to overlook little or insignificant details.

• INFPs value personal sentiments above everything else and their actions are affected more by these concerns than by objective data.

• INFPs prefer to keep their choices open when it comes to making decisions. INFPs frequently put off making key judgments in case the circumstance changes. The majority of judgments are made based on personal ideals rather than reasoning.

What are these 5 ways you can understand INFPs?

Understand the INFP’s behaviour.

INFPs are typically prone to melancholy and sobbing because of their strong emotions and empathy for others.

INFPs have high expectations of themselves, their loved ones, and the world, and they might be disappointed when those expectations do not meet reality, which sadly occurs frequently.

Modest gestures of kindness, such as a small, thoughtful present, assisting them with housework or keeping their home clean and tidy, or complimenting them on their enrichment activities and training, can brighten up your INFP.

If your INFP does not already participate in enrichment activities or training, you may help them feel better by providing them with chances for enrichment and training.

INFPs dislike confrontation and typically attempt to avoid it as much as possible by picking their conflicts carefully. 

If they disagree on a minor issue (such as which restaurant to visit, which movie to watch, or which game to play), an INFP will frequently defer to the person who has the strongest feelings and for whom the decision is the most significant.

However, INFPs frequently have very strong value systems, and if anything contradicts one of their firmly held principles, it may be rather surprising to witness your calm and easy-going INFP suddenly speaking up strongly and violently.

INFPs frequently centre their values on compassion, generosity, and a strong sense of justice, so get to know your INFP’s ideals well in order to better understand your INFP.

INFPs may battle internally between wanting to convey their emotions to you and not wanting to engage in confrontation with you. Allow your INFP some time and space to organise their ideas so that they may express themselves in a way that makes them feel heard but is not upsetting to you.

You may assist speed up this process by offering to run a bath for your INFP or providing your INFP with a cup of tea, a snack, and some alone time.

Alternatively, you may ask them if they want to write down their sentiments or think about times when you may have failed to meet their expectations, said something critical or harsh to them, or do anything that contradicts their beliefs.

Be present and acknowledge and validate the INFP. 

When INFPs are depressed, they tend to withdraw from their surroundings. They frequently require emotional space to digest what is occurring to them. Friends who make an effort to be there for them in their distress without pressing them to feel better are appreciated.

They don’t want to be “forced” to be optimistic, and they despise being hurried through their emotions. An INFP would welcome someone who invites them to express their emotions, even if they are unpleasant and assures them that they will not be criticised.

If an INFP needs support with a project or goal, it’s critical to affirm their vision verbally. Validate their ideas and efforts, and let them know you believe in them. Tell them in a personal way what their concept or initiative may mean to people.

Inquire if they require assistance in structuring the project so that it does not appear overwhelming. Many times, INFPs have large, complicated ideas but struggle to break them down into sequential stages.

When INFP is feeling overwhelmed, they need to know that they are completely supported by their loved ones. People who try to compel the INFP to overcome their melancholy will only make situations worse.

They need to feel free to be themselves without fear of being criticised or having someone try to push the INFP. When their loved ones are just present for them, the INFP feels secure to be themselves.

Take it easy and gradual. 

The INFP will sincerely like sharing who they are, but be careful not to overshare because it could annoy them. An INFP should be your first buddy, and your friendship should grow gradually as you get to know them more.

If you want to be friends with an INFP for life, you shouldn’t strive to impress them with your wisdom or sense of superiority in every area. Therefore, make the initial exchanges light.

Keep superficial relationships light-hearted in the beginning and refrain from forging “deep” bonds. While being close to an INFP might be simple, you should be aware that they can occasionally be cranky.

In these situations, it is preferable to hold off on jumping into a relationship and instead concentrate on developing a closer bond with the individual. You ought to refrain from idly engaging in such chats in the long term.

Be open and honest. 

An INFP is often highly outgoing and conversational. They will open up to you about everything, including their favourite YouTube videos and literature. The INFP will be clever and eccentric.

They’ll frequently make you laugh out loud. You shouldn’t be hesitant to inquire about their personal life. They’ll probably ask you about your interests during these initial conversations, but the more questions you ask, the more you’ll learn about them.

You’d be astonished at how approachable and outgoing an INFP can be. Just make sure you feel secure enough to be candid with the individual you’re speaking to.

Be patient. 

Your friendship will be advantageous to both of you. Being around the INFP could make you uncomfortable if you’re a shy introvert. If this is how you feel, exercise patience and let them finish.

INFPs make excellent friends. They are friendly and have a special talent for understanding people. They are sympathetic yet frequently distant. Your chances of developing a closer bond with an INFP will rise if you keep these relationships informal.

Additionally, keep an eye on your INFP’s emotions to make sure they aren’t unduly depressed or grumpy. A friend of an INFP is a lovely person to get to know. They will prioritise your needs before their own since they are devoted and compassionate.

They will spend time getting to know you and be prepared to drop everything to assist you. But watch out for their dependence. Be honest and transparent with your INFP even if you risk hurting them quickly if you don’t.

Conclusion – 

This blog post attempted to answer the question, “How do you understand INFP?” and reviewed the features and functions of the introverted and extremely inventive Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP to help determine how an INFP can be understood. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): How do you understand INFP?

How can you tell an INFP?

7 Ways to Spot an INFP –

• INFP fashion: They are either expressive or don’t care.
• They are naive and infantile, yet they nevertheless have old souls.
• Having to inquire as to their well-being.
• They don’t look you in the eyes.
• INFPs have a mushy, timid grin.
• They are polite and patient, but not cowards.
• INFPs are giddy.

Are INFPs hard to understand?

INFPs are difficult to understand. They are really private people. Furthermore, it is difficult to read the INFP personality. At first glance, they look quiet and naïve, yet their thoughts are continuously examining their environment and making meaning of people’s behaviours.

Do INFPs understand themselves?

Understanding oneself is vital for the INFP since they must spend time sorting through their own feelings. They have a natural sense of self-awareness because to their deep connection to their own principles and inner feelings, but this does not mean they are aware of everything about themselves.

Why are INFPs so hard to understand?

INFPs, INTPs, INTJs, and INFJs are the most difficult to grasp. For starters, they are introverts, which means they live in their heads. Second, they are Intuitives, which means they are not always aware of what is going on around them and are easily distracted or daydreaming. This combination makes them difficult to comprehend.

How can you tell an INFP conversation?

When speaking, INFPs have a guarded yet empathic demeanour. They are very inventive and creative individuals who like discussing theoretical possibilities and future concepts.

What is an unhealthy INFP like?

A dysfunctional INFP is dominant, self-conscious, and controlling. They see their beliefs as the “truth,” and any criticism of their principles is considered disrespectful. Furthermore, they conceal their issues and feelings for fear of seeming vulnerable.

References –

Cherry, K. INFP: The Mediator (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving). (2021,  July 23). Retrieved from   https://www.verywellmind.com/infp-a-profile-of-the-idealist-personality-type-2795987#:~:text=1%20The%20INFP%20personality%20type,and%20driven%20by%20high%20values.&text=INFPs%20also%20have%20strong%20interests%20in%20making%20the%20world%20a%20better%20place.

Storm, S. Understanding INFP Feeling. Psychology Junkie. (2017, February 20). Retrieved from   https://www.psychologyjunkie.com/2017/02/20/understanding-infp-feeling/

How can we understand the INFP personality better? Quora. (n.d.). Retrieved from   https://www.quora.com/How-can-we-understand-the-INFP-personality-better

INFP, The Healer. Truity. (n.d.).  Retrieved from   https://www.truity.com/personality-type/INFP

Mediator Personality INFP-A / INFP-T (WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?). 16 Personalities. (n.d.). Retrieved from   https://www.16personalities.com/infp-personality

Granneman, J. 12 Secrets of the INFP Personality Type. Introvert, Dear. (2018, January 14). Retrieved from   https://introvertdear.com/news/10-type-secrets-of-the-infp/

Kumar, S. 8 Problems Only INFPs Will Understand. Introvert, Dear. (2019, July 30). Retrieved from   https://introvertdear.com/news/infp-difficult-things/

Mathias, M. 11 Ways the INFP Mind Works — The World Through the Lenses of an INFP. (2020, August 31). Retrieved from   https://medium.com/intuitives/11-ways-the-infp-mind-works-the-world-through-the-lenses-of-an-infp-1c628a0042d2

INFP Relationship Guide – Compatibilities, Dating, Best Matches & Love. HIGH5TEST. (n.d.). Retrieved from   https://high5test.com/infp-relationships/