Why do INFPs withdraw? (3 reasons)
This blog post aims to answer the question, “Why do INFPs withdraw?” 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 withdraw?
INFPs withdraw because of the following 3 reasons –
- INFPs try to protect themselves from others and others from themselves.
- INFPs’ dominant function is Introverted Feeling.
- INFPs are prone to isolation.
These 3 reasons why INFPs withdraw 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 3 reasons why INFPs withdraw?
INFPs try to protect themselves from others and others from themselves.
INFPs withdraw to protect themselves from depleting individuals, to shield others from their negative perceptions of them, or to avoid promoting destructive behaviours, but they don’t withdraw at random.
Distraction, stress, weariness, input overload, powerful emotions, their values being ignored, and their boundaries being trespassed are some of the additional reasons INFPs disengage.
When others lie or are passive-aggressive, INFPs prefer to retreat. INFPs appreciate their privacy and are self-sufficient. They want a lot of space and don’t like it when others put too much pressure on them.
When someone tries to get information from an INFP, they usually become agitated. They know who they can rely on, and they’re the only people they want to share information with.
INFPs will keep their personal lives secret until they meet someone with whom they want to share everything. When an INFP falls in love and trusts someone, their urge for isolation usually fades. They want to connect with that individual and would rather tell them all they know about themselves.
Because INFPs are so secretive and introverted, it may be difficult for others to get to know them. They are typically devoted to their close friends and family, and they place high importance on the thoughts and emotions of those they love.
They focus a lot of their energy on themselves, and they have strong feelings and beliefs. They are committed to the people and issues they care about.
INFPs are prone to isolation.
They have an inner holy place where they go when things seem too real for them, due to their inclination to feel misunderstood.
INFPs don’t have many pals they can open up to since they don’t have many friends they can trust or feel secure with. As a result, when they reach a snag or become overwhelmed or pressured, they may shut down, isolate themselves from others, and vanish off the face of the world.
INFPs might go missing for days, weeks, or months at a time. They don’t go missing merely to test whether anyone notices (although they also do this at times). Rather, they fade away as a result of tiredness and mental turmoil. Attention is the last thing on an INFP’s mind at this moment.
INFPs place a higher emphasis on authenticity than most people realise. They are pushed to retreat back into their shells and defend themselves if they perceive a slew of violations against their principles. They vanish till they’ve fully recovered.
Also, if an INFP feels insulted, assaulted, or mistreated on a regular basis, that’s cause enough to remove them from your life.
INFPs have a tendency to vanish and never reappear. If returning to the setting would mean repeating the same exhausting event, they would choose to sidestep rather than return.
INFPs overthink, weep, or get anxious before they vanish. They’re in the midst of an emotional crisis, brimming with disappointment, tiredness, or emptiness to the point of needing to withdraw.
They care, but their need for authenticity is so great that they should quit an undesirable, abusive, or stressful relationship and seek quiet and tranquillity instead. INFPs do really withdraw in order to operate and reclaim their peace of mind.
INFPs’ dominant function is Introverted Feeling.
INFPs may be hesitant to open out to those they don’t know. This is related to INFPs’ conscientiousness, desire for contemplation time, and intolerance for shallow conversations.
They are extremely sensitive and take their interactions very seriously, therefore they may be wary of allowing just anybody into their lives.
Introverted Feeling (Fi) personalities have a wide range of complicated, strong, and intimate views. They spend their lives attempting to fully comprehend themselves, communicate their values, and, most importantly, remain true.
Their primary focus is being truthful and adhering to their particular code of ethics. Because Fi is introverted by nature, it is guarded against the outer world, and INFPs will only reveal their true sentiments to individuals they trust wholeheartedly.
This is why, when you get to know the INFP more, they may disclose a part of themselves that you didn’t realise existed. As they develop deeper interactions, they will show more of their introverted emotional side, which is frequently unexpected.
Friends and family members see that underneath the INFP’s open-minded demeanour, they have very strong judgements and ideals that they will not compromise.
“Subjective feeling” is a term used to describe Introverted Feeling. Because Fi-users want to live according to their own particular values, beliefs, and ethics, this is the case.
They are acutely conscious of their own feelings and seek internal peace. Comparing Fi to its polar opposite, Extraverted Feeling, is a useful method to grasp it.
Extraverted Feeling (Fe), often known as “objective” feeling, disperses its sentiments across a large number of individuals, seeking external harmony and frequently sharing its feelings with others.
Fi-users instantaneously realise how things affect them emotionally, but Fe-users are continuously swimming in the exterior emotions presented to them by others.
Fi-users are extremely independent, and while private, will not vary their feeling presence based on who they’re with. Fe users may appear to be social chameleons, changing their countenance according to who they’re with.
Fi users direct their empathy and energy toward a small set of people. They are particularly concerned about the world’s underdogs. This can include children, the disabled, marginalised individuals, and even animals.
They will devote their time and energy to these individuals, assisting them in every way they can. Regardless of the reasons or resistance they confront, they will stay committed to their cause or “group.”
Fi is sometimes referred to as “intense,” whereas Fe is referred to as “extensive,” because of this outpouring of energy onto a small number of people.
INFPs are motivated by Introverted Feeling to seek out experiences that elicit sympathy, passion, and inspiration. Music, literature, travel, artwork, and charitable work are all common sources of inspiration for them.
Introverted feelings are so private that INFPs may appear emotionless on the outside. They may look calm on the outside but inside they are experiencing a powerful emotional response to what is happening since they don’t readily disclose their sentiments but are highly impacted by it.
Many individuals think of externally displayed emotions when they think about feeling kinds. INFPs might appear to be feelers who aren’t aware of it. They may not always show emotion and excitement, but they are sincerely and passionately.
They may not tell most people how they feel, what they’re feeling, or what’s affecting them, but they know, and that’s all that counts to them.
The powerful emotions of INFP become more obvious when they are emotionally influenced or harmed. They frequently claim that they weep readily but that they despise it.
Because they are so secretive, they prefer to withdraw to avoid expressing their feelings. They feel vulnerable and may frequently try to go to a private area where they can cry away from inquisitive eyes.
Conclusion –
This blog post aimed to answer the question, “Why do INFPs withdraw?” 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 withdraw. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.
References –
Why do INFPs sometimes withdraw from you at random? How can you reach back out to them? Quora. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/Why-do-INFPs-sometimes-withdraw-from-you-at-random-How-can-you-reach-back-out-to-them#:~:text=For%20us%20INFPs%2C%20it%20is,don’t%20withdraw%20at%20random.
Abissa, F. 6 Things INFPs Do That May Seem Rude to Their Friends. Introvert, Dear. (2019, December 23). Retrieved from https://introvertdear.com/news/6-things-infps-do-that-may-seem-rude-to-their-friends/
Masswell, E. The 3 Biggest Reasons INFPs Struggle to Connect with Others. Introvert, Dear. (2019, May 8). Retrieved from https://introvertdear.com/news/infp-struggle-to-connect/
INFPs can you explain why you tend to withdrawal from your friends? Please be specific. Reddit. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/infp/comments/f22k17/infps_can_you_explain_why_you_tend_to_withdrawal/
Do other INFPs withdraw when someone tries to deepen the relationship? Personality Cafe. (2014, July 27). Retrieved from https://www.personalitycafe.com/threads/do-other-infps-withdraw-when-someone-tries-to-deepen-the-relationship.293186/
Stafford, S. INFP Depression & Struggles: How the INFP Handles Depressed Feelings. (2019, July 13). Retrieved from https://personalitygrowth.com/infp-depression-struggles-how-the-infp-handles-depressed-feelings/
Sumiloff, B. Patterns and Causes of INFP Wounding. (2016, June 22). Retrieved from https://personalityhacker.com/patterns-causes-infp-wounding/
