INFJ vs INFP Inferior functions: Te and Se subtle differences

[@jebajaj3704]

I think this is very spot on! I'm INFP and doing my very best, not to deal with the outside world. For years I thought I had to preform and raise to the top, but I put all of that on the shelf now and just want a simple cosy lifestyle.

[@radishraven9]

Yes i think we just need to take it easy as infps, and often we structure our lives to have it as simple as possible

[@vondelpete]

I was just thinking about this exact topic today with my ISFJ and INFJ friends. I was thinking how often, while I strongly respect and get a lot out of their opinions, their 'solutions' don't usually 'land' with me...which might be that Te blindspot function making it hard to help INFPs with practicality? I guess in the same way an INFP is not going to be great at helping INFJs with Se problems. Instead I think INFJs and INFPs feel naturally relaxed with each other, knowing that each other person is naturally avoiding the functions that hurt them. Anyway everything you said resonated with me, I kind of wish the INFJ friends I have were more open to chatting about mbti though haha, they all tend to not want to discuss anything to do with it..which is fair enough.

[@radishraven9]

I think the whole problem is that their advice doesn't take Te into account, as well as infps not liking advice generally because we are driven by our own Fi first. It's true we each have our weaknesses in Se and Te, which is relaxing but a bit problematic. My infj friend understands mbti but dislikes youtube, so 🤷

[@vondelpete]

@@radishraven9 'relaxing but problematic' - yes that is how I would put it too

[@YviLG91]

I had to definitely go into some introspection for this. I think that I agreed more with you, on not wanting to disappoint people more. Not hurting people is something I have a much better handle on, that is more reflexive to me. But sometimes, I feel that the help I give is lacking and it won't be good enough to fully assist someone with what they needed. This was very insightful, well done.

[@radishraven9]

Hmm i think as infps we rarely hurt people, but might sometimes say something that was not exactly smoothed over (like an Fe user would) as we like to be honest as well. I'm very careful about giving advice as it always depends on so many factors and ultimately it is up to the person and i feel uncomfortable putting myself in there.

[@jaytm2574]

See, that's wonderful that you have someone you can discuss your deepest emotions and weaknesses with. Someone you trust, and who can give you feedback and another viewpoint. I'd love to be able to have that in my life. Trust me, that INFJ 'power' to manipulate human vairables is a double-edged sword. At least if you have a conscious (most do). I never realized FP's had a core social anxiety constantly niggling at them that way. Wanting to be more effective and to be able to influence their world more in a positive way. From your perspective you are often just bobbing in the flow around you. Conversely, INFJs frequently get labeled as 'fake' or 'manipulative', with no spontaneity, but I've never heard INFPs referred to that way. BTW, I call that little influence dance the "golden path" and being able to see the current of events about you flowing to nudge it towards a goal. The old caveat applies though - be careful what you wish for, you may get it.

[@radishraven9]

Yes it's great, and i do see that it can be a problem seeing everything, i have enough trouble with choices even without that knowledge. I wouldn't say i want to be effective to impact the world in the same way infjs want to impact. I want to be effective so that i can be independent, survive in society and so people see me as worthy, so that i can daydream in peace and do more fun stuff with my time. It's more a fear of not being capable, of not being built for this world, of being unworthy.

[@EpicPaul64]

Your perspective about the inferior function being a "fear function" is nice to hear, because I have a friend who claims to be INFJ, but she sometimes gets called an ENFP, INFP or ENFJ. If Extroverted Sensing inferior is "afraid of living in the moment," that seems to fit her better than the other types. To compare, I'm an ISTJ that fears chaos and the unknown (inferior Extroverted Intuition), so thank you for validating my type! Also, I appreciate how easy it is to follow along with what you are saying. I used to think all Intuitives talked in riddles, but I think it's the Introverted Thinkers that confuse me the most; since we have a mutual function stack, it's easy for me to detect what you're actually trying to say, and it's refreshing!

[@radishraven9]

Oh hi! Thank you for stopping by! You must be the first ISTJ to comment on my channel! 😊 The inferior function is full of fear, but also aspiration, which i cover in one of my latest videos about my inferior Te. So an INFJ might really wish to live in the moment but are really scared of it. And they might use it in the wrong way. For example they might go bungee jumping or go get wasted at a rave to "live in the moment" but not appreciate the little things in life that are in the moment. I can see for an ISTJ it would be wanting to do something creative and crazy, but being really scared to do so. My dad is an ISTJ, so he might have taught me to be clear when i communicate. 🙂 Don't worry i also sometimes have a hard time following along Ni users, because it isn't in my function stack. 😅

[@EpicPaul64]

Oh, wow... When you described an ISTJ wanting to do something crazy and creative, but being reluctant, that *does* sound quite a lot like me! I think I've gotten better over the years, as I have been able to do some new things, and I would say I have a really quirky sense of humor, but I would still be very upset if I don't maintain my "This many years of this routine" award. Your dad taught you well; so well, in fact, that I initially thought you were an ISFP with how non-abstract you were. Thankfully, your descriptions of blind-spot Extroverted Sensing quashed that theory, haha!

[@shoomin1]

Your thoughts about the differences in fear were insightful, particularly on how INFJs fear the consequences of nudging the boat to navigate on a course. I'm still a bit baffled by their Se as INTP though, but that shouldn't come as a surprise. 🙃

[@radishraven9]

Thanks, yeah haha neither of us gets Se 😂

[@internetintrovert]

Perfectionism and inferior Te are linked for sure for us INFPs, especially if you are Turbulent. I envy the Assertive INFPs 🤣. It's like we turn everything we despise about Te on ourselves instead of projecting it outwards and employing it healthily 😅

[@radishraven9]

Yeah lol i also envy assertive infps, i wish i could Te to actually act 😣😂

[@cindyc]

🤗❤️👍

[@Bobby_101]

You get tired of the free therapy :O Tsk tsk

[@radishraven9]

Lol 😂

[@jbrubin8274]

Another great video. Thanks for sharing your own personal story. I can’t speak for others but knowing I’m not the only one who feels this way. 🫶💯☮️