Why do INFPs overthink? (5 reasons)
This blog post aims to answer the question, “Why do INFPs overthink?” and explore the various dimensions of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP that will help understand the answer.
Why do INFPs overthink?
INFPs overthink because of the following 5 reasons –
- INFPs have busy minds.
- INFPs are sensitive.
- INFPs are idealistic.
- INFPs are afraid of not choosing the right path.
- INFPs are afraid of not being considerate enough.
These 5 reasons why INFPs overthink 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 reasons why INFPs overthink?
INFPs have busy minds.
INFPs have a proclivity for overthinking and analysing material far more than most people realise. INFPs have such busy minds that they frequently waste time overthinking and attempting to understand their ideas and feelings.
INFPs are prone to losing sight of what is going on around them because they spend so much time in their heads. They have a tendency to overthink things to the point that they become anxious over whether or not they made the appropriate judgments.
The monologues of an INFP are the result of the INFP’s overthinking and imagination. They converse with themselves about thoughts that appear to be significant but aren’t always.
They think too much while doing the dishes, sleeping, and strolling. Because they keep spacing out, they tend to re-read paragraphs numerous times. That’s how frequently an INFP’s head is invaded by random thoughts.
INFPs are sensitive.
INFPs are also quite sensitive to being offended by others. They even feel bad about being obnoxious to someone they despise. They overestimate the level of their rudeness. Their conscience reminds them to be gentler in the future.
INFPs can’t seem to quit overthinking when they’re thrown into a maelstrom of emotions. However, they may learn to manage their cognitive process and decrease extended periods of overthinking.
As INFPs make their way through life, they are inevitably confronted with challenges, self-deprecating ideas, and even terror.
INFPs may overthink from one scenario to the next, but their problems usually fall into one of two categories: they overthink about the path to pursue and they overthink about other people’s feelings.
INFPs are idealistic.
INFPs tend to overthink the future because of all the concepts whirling around them. INFPs have a tendency to be too idealistic. They come up with brilliant concepts. They want it to happen. They have a strong desire for perfection.
However, when they need to act, the dread of failing overcomes them. They get stuck and unable to achieve their goals as a result of their worries.
The most exhausting and perhaps unpleasant aspect of being an INFP is overthinking. They obsess about finding a solution to problems that haven’t arisen yet. They exaggerate circumstances and invest a large lot of emotion in them, to the point where it hurts their minds or creates uneasiness.
INFPs are afraid of not choosing the right path.
INFPs are perpetually perplexed. They may believe that every job route is their calling because of their capacity to recognise various opportunities.
They could consider chances to be equally excellent or ways to be equally poor. They become disoriented as they circle back and forth trying to decide which way to take.
Such overthinking is the fault of the Ni critic. Introverted intuition (Ni) is a function that detects and narrows down thoughts into a single profound path. Ni is located at the sixth cognitive location in INFPs and serves as a critical function. INFP’s selections are thrown off by Ni as a shadow function.
INFPs would prefer to postpone, abandon, or not make a decision due to the pressure and critical approach they apply to each decision. INFPs would prefer to be inactive than commit to a strategy because they are stuck.
They are concerned about going down the incorrect road and the impact their actions will have on others. INFPs suffer from severe overthinking due to their fear of getting trapped on the incorrect path.
INFPs are afraid of not being considerate enough.
INFPs’ major function is Introverted Feeling (Fi), which provides them with a strong sense of self – a devotion to their beliefs, morals, and standards. INFPs, on the other hand, can’t stay trapped inside themselves indefinitely.
This is because Extraverted Feeling (Fe), Fi’s immediate opponent and INFP’s 5th cognitive function, is concerned with social harmony and tribe mentality.
INFPs are aware of what is good and harmful for them, but their Fe shadow causes them to consider other people’s feelings as well. INFPs strive to pursue their passions, but they are also concerned about upsetting others.
They may have different plans for themselves, but they will make every effort to accommodate others. INFPs are concerned about offending others’ feelings.
Making judgments based on the INFP’s constantly shifting emotions leads to mind-numbing overthinking. As their emotions shift, so does their perception of their alternatives, trapping them in a cycle. Their sentiments are going to fluctuate as long as they have time to consider.
Urgency, on the other hand, sweeps away any needless considerations. INFPs have a tendency to overthink things before a deadline. INFPs are drawn after the deadline to demonstrate that their judgement was correct.
Conclusion –
This blog post aimed to answer the question, “Why do INFPs overthink?” and reviewed the features and functions of the introverted and extremely inventive Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP to help determine why INFPs overthink. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.
References –
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