INFP - "Questor". High capacity for caring. Emotional face to the world. High sense of honor derived from internal values. 4.4% of total population. |
I think there are people who would be really surprised to see me show up as an introvert, especially those who have seen me in camp and church settings (I had a bit of a reputation in particular at camp of being loud and silly). This is something the psychologist and I talked about at my candidacy psychological evaluation...that there's no doubt I'm really an introvert, but I'm an occupational extrovert. At church I'll "work the room" during fellowship time, I'm really outgoing during choir rehearsals to get the most I can out of the choir, I was loud and goofy at camp because it helped build relationships with the kids, but it takes a lot out of me. It's not being fake...because I do enjoy the interaction...but in a way it's a mask I wear.
The best way I've heard to tell if you're an introvert or an extrovert is to ask yourself the question, "where does my energy come from? Do I 'recharge my batteries' from being around other people or being alone?"
I love people, I love being around people, I love interacting with people, but I need to be alone to recharge. My Sunday morning duties don't involve as much interaction now as they did when I was at the Lutheran Student Center, but Sweetie can attest that while I was there, by the time Sunday afternoon came around I was pretty much useless. All the faces and the hubbub of the morning just drained me.
I've heard that a pretty good percentage of church workers fall into the INFP category. Introverted, intuitive, feeling perceivers. We INFP's need to guard our alone time jealously, which isn't always easy to do in the church. But if we don't, after a while we burn out. Then we're no good to anyone.
I'd be interested in hearing about anyone's results on the little self-test that's linked up above. How do you recharge your spiritual batteries?
2 comments:
I remember the first time you told me you were an "I." I couldn't believe it. But once I realized it, it was pretty easy to see. (I suppose that's true of anything.)
Honestly, sometimes I wish I were more of an "I." It might make me less self-centered in mixed company.
I think church work has made me far more introverted. It's all the forced interaction with people - with many of whom, let's be honest, we would likely not interact if it weren't obligatory - that I find so draining.
That's why it's a bit odd that I'm still an "E." I'm really most energized after reading a whole lot or spending hours alone on my bike or running. Then again, once I'm alone too long I get all melancholy. I guess I'm a walking paradox.
I'm ETSJ--we're polar opposites, eh?? Hm...
Lil Sis
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