INFJ Self-Awareness: The INFJ Journey to Self-Discovery
Self-awareness is not always an easy thing to obtain, for some it seems harder than for others. Self-awareness means digging deep into your own emotions and inner thoughts, and searching to understand what is going on underneath the outer appearance. Sometimes this leads to painful memories, and recognizing certain flaws which we don’t always want to accept. Self-discovery can be a challenging journey, sometimes it is painful and other times it is very rewarding. Ultimately the struggles we endure trying to understand and accept our positive and negative traits, can be an amazing way to grow and become the best version of ourselves possible. The more people lack self-awareness, the easier it is to hurt those around us without meaning to, which is why it is so important.
INFJs sometimes struggle to really dive into themselves, since processing these inner feelings can make them fearful. They do have some level of self-awareness, but sometimes they intentionally avoid these thoughts out of self-doubt. For the INFJ it is often easier to process the emotions of those around them, and search for ways to understand people. Diving into themselves can feel a bit unnerving for the INFJ, and can even make them feel guilty. They don’t want to spend time focusing on themselves when there are other people who need their time and attention. For the INFJ self-discovery can be a bumpy road, but it is certainly an important one for everyone. They might be hesitant to really find the right tools to better understanding themselves, but that doesn’t mean they are incapable of this.
INFJ Introspection
INFJs are introspective people, which is often a sign of someone who is more open to self-awareness. The struggle for the INFJ, is that they can be far too hard on themselves with their analysis. When they take time to dive into their own thoughts and try to analyze themselves, they can see things a bit murky. When the INFJ looks at those around them and analyze those people, their intuition and sense of empathy helps them to see everything so clearly. INFJs understand people and are great at figuring out their motives, as well as seeing their positive qualities. They can also recognize where people can improve, and can help them figure out the best way to do this. When it comes to awareness, it seems INFJs are far more aware of other people than themselves. This isn’t because they are incapable of analyzing their own faults and positive traits, it is often that the INFJ hesitates to take that dive. When they do find themselves digger deeper into their own inner world and feelings, the INFJ can be blinded to their wonderful qualities and only see the flaws. INFJs are great at finding even the smallest cracks or imperfections in themselves, sometimes seeing things and exacerbating them. INFJs are always the hardest on themselves, and can struggle to turn their sense of understanding and compassion inwards.
Their constant focus on everyone else can actually make it difficult for the INFJ to process their own feelings and desires. Sometimes they find themselves behaving how other people want them to act, struggling to really find that sense of independence. This can because INFJs don’t want to be a burden or have people view them as strange. INFJs don’t always find it easy to be understood by others, and this is tied to the fact that they are such rare personality types. Of course being that rare would make it hard to find people who can appreciate their differences, but that does not make it impossible to do so. INFJs might look at the world around them and feel out of place, and this can cause them to only look at their own negative traits instead of being aware of the many positive ones they possess. Being so aware of others, can be the greatest challenge for the INFJ when it comes to self-discovery. When you are naturally in touch with the emotions and needs of everyone else, those needs and desires can start to blend in with your own. INFJs take on the responsibility of helping others, making it hard for the to really reflect on their own inner desires and motivations.
How to Be More Self-Aware
The most important step for the INFJ is taking some time for self-care, not just analyzing themselves. They need to take a step back and focus on some of the personal needs they have likely been neglecting for the sake of everyone else. INFJs can certainly push aside their own needs with ease, but this is not a useful way to reach self-awareness. The INFJ can start by taking time to focus on their physical needs, and build up to the biggest steps. Just taking time for themselves without feeling guilty over this, is certainly a major step for the INFJ. They spend so much energy one everyone else, and so they don’t have time to really focus on themselves.
A big part of this struggle can also be the people the INFJ surrounds themselves with, and so it is important to really take a look at who they find themselves bonding with. INFJs can be more drawn to people who need to be fixed, or even people who take advantage of the INFJ kindness and compassion. Instead of allowing themselves to fall into this trap, the INFJ needs to trust in their instincts and be more open with people who are understanding and actually care for their needs too. When the INFJ starts to set boundaries and ask for the things they need, they might even recognize who sticks around and who is willing to help them out. This can be a difficult step to take, but it is an important one for the INFJ who wants to become more self-aware. Having people around them who appreciate who they are, and who can see beyond the walls, is going to make a world of difference.
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