16 Unique Traits of an INFJ, The World’s Rarest Personality Type

As the rarest Myers and Briggs personality type, INFJs share some distinctive strengths and weaknesses. You're reserved, but friendly. Sincere, yet secretive. You keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have any!

Though being an INFJ is not always easy, I wouldn’t want to be anyone but my perfectly contradictory self. Here are 16 unique traits of the INFJ personality type. 

1. You’re the most thinking of the feeling types

INFJs lead with Introverted Intuition (Ni), their main cognitive function. Ni is concerned with pattern-seeking. It’s what INFJs use to assess situations and make decisions. We collect information, form an intuition, and then act upon it. It may not look like logic in a traditional sense, but it’s what makes INFJs a mix of both practical and emotional. 

2. You smell trouble from afar

I’ll be the first to say that INFJs can’t predict the future. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t read people pretty well, because – most of the time – we can. INFJs are the first to notice something fishy. As Intuitive Feelers, we’re extremely aware of the slightest change in someone's mood and can often sense if something is off with them or in a situation, even before it becomes apparent to others.

3. You’re fearlessly independent (but also a people pleaser)

As Intuitives and overall reserved folks, INFJs tend to be fearlessly independent and self-sufficient. At the same time, we do care an awful lot about what others think and expect of us (thanks, Extraverted Feeling). The result? INFJs can succumb to people-pleasing and refrain from asking for help even when they need it the most. 

4. You can be highly nostalgic

How can someone so future-oriented have such a wistful yearning for the past? It’s really not that contradictory. Your mind is constantly processing information and over-analyzing situations.Just like you obsess about future possibilities, you do the same with past experiences. You're able to recall memories and emotions vividly and might find yourself reminiscing about childhood memories or reliving significant moments in your mind.

5. You tend to have an all-or-nothing approach to life

INFJs tend to have an all-or-nothing mentality, which can manifest itself as constantly swinging from one extreme to the other. Like going from overworking yourself to procrastinating, or exercising daily to not moving at all, for example. This is in part explained by your perfectionist streak, but it’s also related to the INFJ’s rigidity. You're good at keeping  a strict schedule and sticking to your plans, and that can put you in a rut at times.

6. You don’t have niche interests, you have obsessions 

As abstract thinkers, INFJs can’t leave a topic at surface level, no matter how much they try. In fact, we can become obsessive over our quirky interests. It’s not that INFJs are trying to be hipsters, our curiosity just gets the better of us. Before we know it, we’ve fallen down a Wikipedia rabbit hole, and are adding yet another obscure interest to our miles-long list.

7. You’re often your worst critic

Though perfectionism is not a uniquely INFJ trait (looking at you, INTJs), we definitely rank among top perfectionists. The extent to which INFJs blame themselves when they fail to meet their absurd standards is frankly ridiculous. If you struggle with perfectionism, you could learn from doing things you’re bad at – there's no need to be the best at everything.

8. You crave intimacy and connection, but have a hard time opening up

INFJs look to forge deep and meaningful connections with others. At the same time, we struggle with vulnerability. Truth is, we have a hard time opening up for fear of being misunderstood, so we assume the role of listeners by default and wait until we feel comfortable enough to divulge information about ourselves. Which sometimes never happens.

9. You’re the person everyone comes to for advice

INFJs are called Counselors for a reason. It’s not unusual to find ourselves giving free therapy sessions to loved ones and complete strangers. We’re happy to know people trust us with their problems and come to us for advice. Still, sometimes we need to be fierce about holding our boundaries, and set some time aside for ourselves.

10. You have unflinching convictions 

INFJs are one of the most principled personality types. If we believe in something, we stand by it. The good thing about this is that we’re seen as trustworthy and reliable. The not-so-good side effect is that we can be so obstinate about our own convictions that we may judge and discard other points of view far too quickly. 

11. You can’t turn off your empathy

INFJs often struggle to take off their Counselor hat. Many identify as empaths, so it’s not that we’re attuned to other people’s emotions, we sometimes absorb them and can literally experience them as our own. Your sensitivity is nothing to be ashamed of INFJ, but make sure you protect your boundaries.

12. You’re extremely loyal to the people you love

INFJs are quite selective about who they let into their lives. This means that we’re very intentional about cultivating our close relationships. Not only do we expect loyalty from those who were granted permission to know us intimately, but we’re also extremely protective and loyal to them in return. 

13. You can shape-shift into other personalities

Although your typical INFJ is a very reserved person, they’re social chameleons too. In fact, not only do INFJs tend to read people’s intentions very well, but we also adapt our behavior accordingly. That’s why we’re sometimes mistaken for Extraverts. We know what it’s like to be misunderstood, so we strive to fit in and accommodate others. 

14. You can be both highly sensitive and completely blunt

As Feelers, INFJs are known for their compassionate and caring manner when speaking with and listening to others. But folks, we snap too. Ironically, this tends to happen because many INFJs are also highly sensitive people (HSPs). When our social battery is gone, or we’re feeling overwhelmed, we can be completely blunt and just walk away without another word.

15. You’re a master at concealing your feelings

INFJs hide their feelings behind a poker face. It’s funny, really. We pick up on other people’s moods pretty easily, but it's difficult for others to know what we’re thinking at any given moment. To be fair, sometimes INFJs don’t know it themselves. 

16. You expect recognition, but have a hard time accepting compliments

No matter how humble INFJs may be, we expect others to recognize the effort we put into all that we do. Still, INFJs have a hard time accepting compliments. As we set impossibly high standards for ourselves, we struggle to own our achievements or trust that any praise being given is genuine. Recognizing our worth takes time and patience - which we don’t always have!