Lauren Sapala, the author of The INFJ Writer in a recent blog post, writes there is no coincidence that many writers are INFJs or INFPs, which are terms for the personality types in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
The types are a four-part combination of four spectrums of likely thoughts, actions, behaviors that generate a personality type. These types are used to better understand ourselves and others, to improve communication between different types, and to work more effectively. But the types should not be used to label or box people into narrow definitions of self or others.
There were four possible pairs of personality traits:
- Introversion (I) or Extraversion (E)
- Intuition (N) or Sensing (S)
- Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)
- Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)
These four sets of dichotomies create sixteen personality types. A brief description of each can be found at The Myers-Briggs website.
INFJ and INFP are closely related because three of the indicators are the same INF.
Isabel Briggs-Myers, the daughter of Katherine Cook Briggs (the co-founders of the indicator index) says,
Good type development can be achieved at any age by anyone who cares to understand his or her own gifts and the appropriate use of those gifts.
Read Lauren’s insightful blog post to understand the increased likelihood that you (and I) as a writer will be an introverted (I), intuitive (N), and feeling (F) person who leans toward perceiving (P) or judging (J).
I found Lauren Sapala’s blog post useful and insightful. I also have her book. Check it out for yourself.
Lauren Sapala states,
It wasn’t until I started coaching so many other Highly Sensitive People (who are also highly creative people, empaths, and intuitives) that I realized there is a very good reason so many of us have turned to writing as a lifeline.
As an INFP, I find writing to be incredibly comforting—so much more comforting than any other form of expression.
Yes, I agree, dreamer rambling!