INFJ's and being more present | INFJ Forum

INFJ's and being more present

Removing reoccurring thoughts (usually via expression or conversation) is a hard learned trait which I really value. The quicker, more pure, more objective the expression, the more I tend to feel as if I am capable of detaching from something internal as compared to dwelling on it unnecessarily.

As a result... more mental brain juice for being in the present moment.
 
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do You feel you aren’t present in the moment? Is this something you want?

For me I guess I feel most in a moment when I’m appreciating things-being out in nature in awe of the beauty around me, laughing with a loved one and feeling so lucky to have that shared moment. That sort of thing. I guess it’s times that most readily align with my personal values, so I feel most connected with where I am. If there’s not a lot in the moment that really grabs you, and reaches you at a core level...well it’s going to be harder to be present.
 
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Sometimes I should remind myself where I am and who I am. As example, "Today is Friday, I'm going to university, I will have physics today". Sometimes I just can get lost in my head (because I'm thinking about something too much or just tired and stressed) so that's why I lost a sense of reality a little bit 8o8
I even bought a notepad to write down my thoughts haha :D
 
IzzyIzzy said:
Someone in my life pointed out that I don't seem "present in the moment" sometimes.

How do you, personally, maintain being more present? Example, I am taking note of my current surroundings - "my surroundings are peaceful" etc.
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"Be here now".
 
You can't.. I mean your nature can't. The only way I see it possible for an infj is to stay with other people you personally like and you genuily feel interested to:yum:. Eventually you can meditate or stuff like that but honestly... your mind is born to solve problems and imagine new ones :smile:
 
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I think it takes a conscious effort to force yourself into the moment. We (INxx types) spend so much more time in our heads than others, conceptualizing, tinkering with ideas and thinking through various aspects of being that most people either take for granted or never consider. We may be viewed as "scatterbrained" at times by others but in fact our brains are working overtime, which sometimes causes us to set our physical senses aside.

As far as solutions to the issue, meditation or something similar could probably help. Personally I've found that being out in nature is a great way to shut off my hyperactive brain and just enjoy my surroundings purely for what they are.

If your surroundings don't inherently interest you, obviously it becomes a tougher ordeal. I don't know of any way to put it except to keep what you're saying and doing at the absolute forefront of your consciousness. Probably difficult to sustain over time for INxx (presuming a group setting, as implied in the OP).
 
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IzzyIzzy said:
How do you, personally, maintain being more present? Example, I am taking note of my current surroundings - "my surroundings are peaceful" etc.
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Having an ESTP best friend helps. :p

Other than that, it tends to have to be a conscious effort. It's worth it, though. There's much beauty around us to be seen.

But truly, that ESTP best friend - she really does help. We tend to balance each other out. It's difficult not to be present in the moment when she's convinced you to go pedal-boating with her, you're about to go under a bridge that looked a lot taller/higher from a distance, and she's yelling "DUCK!" in your ear while laughing (and you're freaking out) so you don't knock your face into it. : D

So...

Step 1.) Make a conscious effort.
Step 2.) Remind yourself that you'll be missing out, otherwise.
Step 3.) Embrace that which provides balance. Some yin to your yang.
Step 4.) Remember that it often ain't gonna be easy.
 
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infinite dreams said:
If your surroundings don't inherently interest you, obviously it becomes a tougher ordeal.
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I think that's pretty fundamental for me. My looping frequency tends to increase vastly when I'm not interested in my surroundings.
 
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It's funny. Sometimes I think I am present, but I'm not, even though I am. I hardly ever feel completely removed, but that probably lies in the nature of my day-to-day activities. But then there is this constant feeling of not being there too, like being in my head, but not exactly thinking anything. I reason afterwards that I must have been thinking something, but I have no idea what. It's like the thoughts I would have had just passed by without crossing or tangeating my consciousness. It's like I am in a sort of in-between-state, between present and not present. This happens to me quite often.

Even looking at nature can make me turn towards thinking. But moving outside, and concentrating on feeling the flow, that is perhaps enhancing an in-the-moment experience.
 
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Happy Phantom said:
I like zoning out. When I am in that state of mind I see things I usually wouldn’t notice.
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This brings up a really good point. INFJs, having Ni as their dominant function...need to be able to zone out (i.e., fully access that perceiving/processing function) in order to operate most effectively. INFJs have a huge and vivid imagination thanks to Ni. No sense in not taking full advantage of it whenever possible.

Of course there will inevitably be times when being "present" is a necessity, but no need to feel guilty about not being that way the rest of the time. :wink:
 
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infinite dreams said:
Of course there will inevitably be times when being "present" is a necessity, but no need to feel guilty about not being that way the rest of the time. :wink:
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But why tho? :p

Of course I’m present most of the time otherwise I’d probably be in the hospital a lot. lolz
 
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IzzyIzzy said:
Someone in my life pointed out that I don't seem "present in the moment" sometimes.

How do you, personally, maintain being more present? Example, I am taking note of my current surroundings - "my surroundings are peaceful" etc.
Click to expand...
Develop a skill set called "Observing Ego." It's the ability to mentally step back from your interaction, and monitor your current actions in real time, coaching yourself... it requires being present moment. It's like having a dual CPU in your head. One that interacts and the other makes fine adjustments in your interactions.

Our mind sense of time involves, past, present, and the future. When you drive to work, a usually pattern, the mind either drifts into the past, thinking about a regret or it's in the future, planning an event or worrying about a confrontation...before you know it..your car arrives at work..were did all that time go? Either in the past or the future.

Typically, anything involving your five primary senses will get you in the present moment.

Smell, sight, hearing, tasting, touch. Using all five creates an intimacy. Like having a meal with a friend, sex, meditation...are examples of using all five senses to be in the present moment. Also...take an action, making a decision...in that moment, you are in the present, and developing your "Observing Ego" skill... it's the only skill set that creates psychological growth in a person, maturity, and it's the scientific definition of being "cool".
Google it...I learned from Dr. Paul
 
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Perseus Shield and Sword said:
Develop a skill set called "Observing Ego." It's the ability to mentally step back from your interaction, and monitor your current actions in real time, coaching yourself... it requires being present moment. It's like having a dual CPU in your head. One that interacts and the other makes fine adjustments in your interactions.

Our mind sense of time involves, past, present, and the future. When you drive to work, a usually pattern, the mind either drifts into the past, thinking about a regret or it's in the future, planning an event or worrying about a confrontation...before you know it..your car arrives at work..were did all that time go? Either in the past or the future.

Typically, anything involving your five primary senses will get you in the present moment.

Smell, sight, hearing, tasting, touch. Using all five creates an intimacy. Like having a meal with a friend, sex, meditation...are examples of using all five senses to be in the present moment. Also...take an action, making a decision...in that moment, you are in the present, and developing your "Observing Ego" skill... it's the only skill set that creates psychological growth in a person, maturity, and it's the scientific definition of being "cool".
Google it...I learned from Dr. Paul
Click to expand...
And just for the record we are designed to be mostly on autopilot that way we can conserve our mental energy when it's needed. As you get older, as an infj, you become more present minded.. I think our less developed cognitive function..extraverted feeling comes online more, becoming more aware of your surroundings...almost like being in the matrix
 
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