What do INFPs look for in relationships? (7 things)

This blog post aims to answer the question, “What do INFPs look for in relationships?” and explore the various dimensions of this Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP that will help understand the answer. 

What do INFPs look for in relationships?

INFPs look for the following 7 things in relationships –

• Support. 
• Shared beliefs and respect for the INFP’s principles.
• Love and Romance.
• Intellect.
• Honesty and Authenticity.
• Genuine empathy.
• Space and Freedom. 

These 7 things that INFPs look for in relationships 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 7 things that INFPs look for in relationships?

Support. 

INFPs thrive in relationships where their spouse is supportive and encourages them to believe in themselves. INFPs need someone who shares their profound moral convictions as well as someone who values emotions and has a similar worldview since they focus on developing a soul-to-soul link.

Shared beliefs and respect for the INFP’s principles.

The INFP is loving, compassionate, and faithful in relationships. INFPs carefully choose their friends and relationships, aiming for a solid link and shared beliefs. They are self-aware and, in many cases, spiritual.

INFPs are open-minded and accommodating of other people’s behaviours and preferences as long as their essential principles are not infringed. They value their partners’ uniqueness and encourage them to pursue their own hobbies and ideas.

INFPs seek methods to compromise and accommodate others, and they frequently have inventive answers to interpersonal challenges. They can be quite sensitive, yet they typically keep unpleasant emotions to themselves because they are afraid of confrontation.

INFPs value close and harmonious relationships, but they also require a lot of alone time to ponder and reflect. They frequently desire a great deal of freedom to express themselves and grow in self-awareness.

They cherish a spouse who is dedicated and loving while also providing them with the support they require to explore the wonders of life on their own.

Love and Romance.

INFPs are strongly invested in love and romance, and they take these matters seriously while being lighthearted in their relationships. INFPs care about the people in their lives and desire to get to know them better.

They have their own manner of flirting and behaving in a relationship, which can be difficult for others to read and comprehend on the surface.

Intellect.

INFPs are generally drawn to intellect and those who utilise their minds in unusual ways. They are drawn to those that do not think like the rest of the world and instead have their own unique perspective on life.

INFPs are not drawn to people who are superficial or lack a particular level of depth into which they can truly immerse themselves. When someone has a sophisticated and nuanced inner thought, the INFP is typically captivated.

They are enthralled by someone who is clever and can even teach them about new subjects that they would not have learned or been exposed to otherwise.

Honesty and Authenticity.

INFPs are also drawn to those who are true and honest with them. They find someone who is actually authentic to be quite alluring, but someone who is false or shallow is exactly the opposite.

INFPs want to associate with people who are upfront about their identities and do not hide behind walls and deception. Someone who is unable to be themselves in the presence of the INFP is not someone they are drawn to.

They don’t want someone who is always putting on a show or attempting to impress others around them. Someone who panders or attempts to make others like them is frequently unpleasant to the INFP.

Genuine empathy.

When it comes to love partners and relationships, the INFP prefers someone who can listen to them. They desire someone who acknowledges their sentiments without trying to modify or invalidate them.

This form of affirmation for their emotions is critical for the INFP, since having someone mock their sentiments is likely the worst sensation for them. An INFP will find it interesting and fulfilling to have a spouse who is adept at listening and engaging in intricate and deep talks.

Space and Freedom. 

When INFPs are given the space and independence they require to grow as INFPs and follow their goals, desires, and callings. When their limits and needs are acknowledged and honoured. 

INFPs despise feeling confined, dominated, or owned. They readily offer people ample freedom and space since they are not easily envious or possessive. 

The major reason for this is that they are extremely self-sufficient, like their own company, and never grow tired of themselves. Most significantly, they have a strong belief in their universe’s goodness.

These expressions of love also explain how INFPs exhibit their love to others since they tend to treat their loved ones precisely how they like to be treated. 

INFPs value their integrity above everything else and have little tolerance for hypocrisy, phoniness, double standards, disrespect, deception, and manipulation.

Never mistreat an INFP since they, along with INFJs, are the most sensitive of all personality types. The greatest advice for determining how an INFP feels loved is to just observe how they treat others, particularly those they care about.

Conclusion – 

This blog post aimed to answer the question, “What do INFPs look for in relationships?” and reviewed the features and functions of the introverted and extremely inventive Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP to help determine what INFPs look for in a relationship. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.

References –

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

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

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