My Secret MBTI Type

Shhhhh....

I have gotten various MBTI types through the years, and some of them have varied quite a bit.

I've read in quite a few places that standardized tests don't work well with people who've grown up in unstable backgrounds, so I don't know if that's part of it.

The first time I took the test, in high school, I was scored as ENFJ. This inspired me to get a job on a cruise ship as an emcee. I dealt with 800 new people every week, not including crew. Although I could do the job, I didn't understand why I was always worn out, and would run back to my room and hide under my blankets, even if it was just for 5 minutes. I started to really hate people and didn't understand why.

When I finally quit that job and went to college, I didn't speak to anyone new or to anyone I didn't have to for about 2 years (still a lot like this). I couldn't! I was too worn out! I hated talking! (still do)

I've realized since then that the tests have changed. The tests used to say, "Are you comfortable speaking to people." Which my answer is yes - I don't like people in person so much as in theory, but they don't scare me (not much does). "Would you rather speak to people or do you like to speak to people ?" would have been a better question for me. I can do what I have to do, what I 'must do,' but I do need lots and lots of quiet time.

Through the years, I've also tested ISTJ, INTJ, ENTP, and INFP (and of course INFJ). The last few years I've tested pretty regularly as INFJ, and although I am sort of low in both F and J (20's), this is the one where I finally had an 'Aha' moment. "This is what fits me the best."

So, I consider it my real type, or my secret type. I think I am very much a chameleon - I can respond to what I need to, and how I need to, but my inner self is very much INFJ.

Anyway, any thoughts on this, or any similar experiences?

 

LOL. RS.

Some psychologists believe that no one really 'changes type' through their life, or if they do, that something was seriously wrong with them. I was scared for a long time that there was something wrong with me because I got so many different types through the years. After having been on this forum, I've realized that this is probably quite normal for some people - and maybe it is true that standardized tests don't work that well for everyone. Hmmm.

 

You've had the same experiences NAI? Cool!

 

I understand this NAI. Very much so.

I was always uncomfortable with the other types, because they never seemed to fit me head on - especially the E. People wear me out - and quickly, even though I'm sort of 'good' with people. I can also see myself as P in some situations and T in others, but the person who is really me, seems to generally be F and J.

This all came pouring out because of everyone's video's btw.

 

Thanks Tovlo!

I wonder about that too. I was an extremely introverted child, until I realized one day at about 12, that introversion wasn't helping me. When I went to my next foster home, I vowed to be as extraverted as possible - I remember making a list - "I will smile at everyone I meet." "I will say hi to everyone I meet." "I will walk tall to seem confident."

None of this was real exactly, although it is to some extent now... but it must have worked enough that I was typed E for a long time..... Thanks for these thoughtful responses!

 

Peppermint, I am definitely I and N too - except for the one time I scored an S, the N is pretty much always high.

I think the tests can't account for everything. They are man-made and therefore flawed. I do think it takes some time to figure it all out!

TDHT - I think your F is like my N - the most stable! Isn't it odd how we can all be INFJ, but be so different on the spectrum?

And Raccoon Love, I understand perfectly. Maybe at some point we have to just 'decide' what our type is, and stick with it - LOL.

 

Fizzitster, I also tend to be very loyal to just a few people I allow into my inner circle. It definitely sucks when others don't always return it when you really need it. Hang in there!

 

Haha, TDHT!

(I do generally get near 100% in N though pretty regularly - which seems odd too.)

I didn't actually know that TDHT. If you get time, I'd love to hear this fleshed out a little more.

 

So the 'N' is actually an unstable trait? I didn't know this - but it explains a lot, especially as I usually score so high - lol. Unstable how though?

I do move about every two years - I think it's from moving all the time as a child - I just get uncomfortable being in any one place too long. Is that N? Or neurosis? LOL.

(I think my personality is stable, but one of my long-term goals for myself is to learn to be physically stable - with where I live, jobs, etc)