Why are INFPs and INFJs drawn to sad things? (5 reasons)

This blog post aims to answer the question, “Why are INFPs and INFJs drawn to sad things?” and explore the various dimensions of these two Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality types named INFP and INFJ that will help understand the answer. 

Why are INFPs and INFJs drawn to sad things?

INFPs and INFJs are drawn to sad things because of the following 5 reasons – 

• INFPs and INFJs relate to sadness and isolation.
• INFPs and INFJs find sadness compelling.
• INFPs and INFJs believe sadness connects everybody.
• INFPs and INFJs like to feel.
• INFPs and INFJs get sad easily and often.

These 5 reasons why INFPs and INFJs are drawn to sad things will be discussed in further detail below after taking a deeper look at what INFP and INFJ mean. 

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.

Who is an INFJ?

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) inventors Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers established sixteen personality types. INFJ is one of them. Introversion, intuition, feeling, and judgement (INFJ) are four key personality traits based on psychologist C.G. Jung’s work.

Each of the four letters in the INFJ code represents a significant personality feature associated with this personality type. 

INFJs prefer to be planned and organised rather than spontaneous and flexible because they are energised by time alone (introverted), focus on ideas and concepts rather than facts and details (intuitive), make decisions based on feelings and values (feeling), and prefer to be planned and organised rather than spontaneous and flexible (Judging).

Because of their inclination to be idealistic, sympathetic, and sensitive, the INFJ personality type is also known as the “Counselor.” The INFJ is also known by the following nicknames:

• The Insightful Visionary (MBTI)
• The Advocate (16Personalities)

INFJs are nurturers who are creative and nurturing, with a strong sense of personal integrity and a desire to help others reach their full potential. They have a knack for coming up with unique answers to people’s problems, and they are both creative and dedicated.

The Counselor has a unique ability to sense other people’s emotions and intentions, and will frequently know how they are feeling before they do. They have faith in their capacity to read others and trust their perceptions of others. 

The INFJ is a secretive type who is choosy about communicating inner thoughts and feelings. They are sensitive, yet they are also guarded.

INFJ Personality Type Characteristics Are –

• INFJs can be soft-spoken and empathic due to their high sense of intuition and emotional understanding. This does not, however, imply that they are cowards. They have strong convictions and the capacity to act aggressively to achieve their goals.

• Despite their introversion, persons with this personality type may develop deep, lasting relationships with others. They appreciate assisting others, but they also require rest and relaxation.

• The INFJ is distinguished by their ability to put their ideals into action. They don’t merely want a better world; they make it happen.

• People with this personality type enjoy taking charge by planning, organising, and making choices as soon as feasible.

• INFJs prioritise their emotions above objective facts when making judgments. This does not, however, imply that they view the world through rose-coloured glasses. INFJs have an excellent understanding of the world, including the good and the terrible, and aim to improve it.

What are these 5 reasons why INFPs and INFJs are drawn to sad things?

INFPs and INFJs relate to sadness and isolation.

The majority of INFPs and INFJs have spent their lives feeling isolated, misunderstood, or pushed into a mould that doesn’t fit them.

Many INFPs and INFJs connect with feelings of isolation, loneliness, and heartbreak. They empathise with that anguish and find a cathartic release in doing so. INFPs and INFJs make loyal friends by expressing pain and loneliness. 

An image of a lonely, isolated hut might be a sign of desire and loneliness for INFPs and INFJs who have felt alone and cut off from the world for most of their lives.

INFPs and INFJs who have discovered camaraderie and connection in life are nonetheless drawn to grief for its honesty and authenticity. They may feel obliged mysteriously to comprehend, sympathise, and console.

INFPs and INFJs find sadness compelling.

INFPs and INFJs care passionately about others who are suffering. According to the MBTI® Manual, Third Edition, INFPs and INFJs have a significant preference for employment in psychology and counselling. 

They are extremely empathic people who want to “walk in another person’s shoes” and feel their sufferings and problems as if they were their own. 

They have no interest in a sugarcoated life or what’s on the surface, both seek to gain a deeper more intimate understanding of the deeper longings and struggles of humanity.

INFPs and INFJs believe sadness connects everybody.

INFPs and INFJs are natural introverts, yet as emotional types, they yearn for meaningful human interactions. However, they frequently struggle to discover the depth they need in partnerships. 

They sense a unified vulnerability in melancholy that they can identify to and comprehend. They believe that sharing their pain and suffering with others brings them closer together and strengthens their bonds.

INFPs and INFJs like to feel.

INFPs and INFJs like empathising with others. They enjoy immersing themselves in various emotions. They appreciate empathising, comprehending, and feeling. 

They are usually terrific listeners who love being there for others, but if they are continuously taking on other people’s feelings, they might get emotionally overwhelmed. 

They are fulfilled when they can listen to and connect with others who are in distress, but they must do it in moderation. They might like just connecting with sad art forms or ideas that elicit intense emotions. 

They prefer to lose themselves in a melancholy song or movie, a sad book, or a sad picture. To many of them, being able to quietly experience and connect with the emotions of a tale or work of art just “feels good.”

INFPs and INFJs get sad easily and often.

The dark side of INFPs and INFJs might be a sad and lonely one. INFPs and INFJs are prone to making decisions based on their emotions. This is due to the fact that they frequently feel a great deal and quite powerfully.

Because of how deep their sentiments may be, INFPs and INFJs are prone to becoming overly emotional. They can appreciate nights out with friends laughing or when someone tells them they helped them out by listening to them because of those sentiments. 

It may, however, make negative situations feel overpowering. Long sobbing and burying themselves in blankets because they don’t want to get out of bed are nothing new to INFPs and INFJs. 

They might quickly slip into a dark hole and have suicidal or depressing thoughts. It is crucial that INFPs and INFJs take care of themselves and discover techniques to aid themselves through their emotions. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s crucial to reach out to people.

Conclusion – 

This blog post aimed to answer the question, “Why are INFPs and INFJs drawn to sad things?” and reviewed the features and functions of the two introverted Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality types named INFP and INFJ to help determine why INFPs and INFJs are drawn to sad things. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.

References –

Albers, N. 4 Reasons Why INFPs Like Sad Things. Introvert, Dear. (2018, July 24). Retrieved from https://introvertdear.com/news/infp-personality-drawn-to-sadness/#:~:text=They’re%20drawn%20to%20sadness,no%20strangers%20to%20loneliness%20themselves.

Storm, S. Why INFPs and INFJs Are Drawn to Sad Things. (2017, April 18). Retrieved from https://www.psychologyjunkie.com/2017/04/18/infps-infjs-drawn-sad-things/

Why are INF types (INFJs INFPs) so attracted to melancholy/sad things? Quora. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/Why-are-INF-types-INFJs-INFPs-so-attracted-to-melancholy-sad-things

Marko. Why INFJs Are Drawn to Sadness. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://introvertspring.com/why-infjs-are-drawn-to-sadness/

Ward, D. Here’s What Sensitivity Really Looks Like for an INFJ. Truity. (2020, September 16). Retrieved from https://www.truity.com/blog/heres-what-sensitivity-really-looks-infj

Are you “attracted to sad things”? Personality Cafe. (2015, June 24). Retrieved from https://www.personalitycafe.com/threads/are-you-attracted-to-sad-things.585626/