The real reason why INFPs struggle to express themselves

[@AmbientFellow]

Been trying to put this concept into words for a while now haha. It's like words don't mean anything to me. The intention is far more important.

[@GeekPsychology]

yeah it's a strange thing to try to talk to Thinkers about. it's just like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@fionaclubb-jobsforhorses1287]

Wow Matt. That was perfect. I find expressing my thoughts, without thoroughly confusing people, very difficult through speech. I have learned to use props to help bridge the gap between the 4d experience and a linear conversation.

[@GeekPsychology]

Wow, thank you! Props and metaphors are very helpful, that’s for sure!

[@Golgibaby]

Vocabulary and being able to communicate these abstract concepts in a concrete, linear, targeted way is challenging when there are indeed so many dimensions.

[@GeekPsychology]

there are so many potential pathways to go

[@PamelaW-t8y]

I guess I'm lucky in that I rarely struggled too much with the way I think. Others either thought I was strange or that I was interesting and seemed drawn to me. I was ok with all of that, and it's part of my life story - I 'm 72 years old. I did well in school with the humanities and biological sciences, but struggled with math, chemistry and physics. Basic high school algebra had no meaning to me. After I took Philosophy 101-Logic, suddenly there was a connection, and I began to understand how algebra worked and was able to pass college algebra with B's and C's. I can only think that there was some inner connection in my brain between the teachings of Logic and Algebra. Pattern Recognition; I have an uncanny ability to find 4-leafed clovers. I can often scan a patch of clover and find one within a very few minutes. I've found hundreds of them and give them away. I found out recently that my nephew also has this ability, and I find that our personalities are quite similar. I often have to take time to think before I speak, and I do often use metaphors. If I'm feeling very agitated and upset, it seems the only way to express that is through writing. When I had shingles, I spent quite a lot of time in bed or on the couch. In order to help escape the pain (even though I was on a strong pain med) I envisioned floating about the universe, observing the beauty. Later, I used photography, manipulated in the computer, and made a series of representations of those 'visions'. The series got me a one-woman show at a local gallery. Sorry for the ramble, my intention here is to communicate to others who are much younger than me, that your inner INFP world can be your special strength, if you let it. Matt is a good 'guidance counselor' for you. I found this video to be spot on.

[@GeekPsychology]

"I have an uncanny ability to find 4-leafed clovers. I can often scan a patch of clover and find one within a very few minutes." The mind gets what it looks for :) Most of us tend to look for things that are not as great. "In order to help escape the pain (even though I was on a strong pain med) I envisioned floating about the universe, observing the beauty." It's a great process. A natural mechanism that we use often in hypnosis and NLP to create change and alternate perspectives. Good job! "Later, I used photography, manipulated in the computer, and made a series of representations of those 'visions'. The series got me a one-woman show at a local gallery." That's super cool! I do a lot of metaphor interpretation work and have only made a couple into art. Maybe I'll have another new project to work through :P

[@heatherhafer3333]

Journaling was something I did as a teenager. Now at 38, I've been journaling in my phone. It's fun and easy. When I have meaningful thoughts, I whip out my notes app and start a new entry. When I feel satisfied with my composition, I may even send one to an intended recipient in a text. It's hard on me sometimes to hit someone with my raw thoughts/feelings because it feels abrupt, but I have found a friend (a castle 5 INFJ) who welcomes my soul. How do we learn how to express our depth? For me, finding one person who genuinely favors listening to me without judgement, who genuinely connects and reciprocates is very supportive of my inner world.

[@INFP_and_ADHD]

INFJ friends are a treasure for INFPs - as we are so close in how we see the world!

[@GeekPsychology]

that's great that you found someone like that! and great process -- quick thoughts, not a lot of friction, get it out of your head and go

[@PamelaW-t8y]

I'm pretty sure my husband was an INFJ or heavily leaning in that direction (he never took the test). We 'got' each other most of the time, although there was also a bit of head butting. We each had very strong values, and those aligned quite well. We were married for 46 years.

[@cgrendy]

My oldest son (who’s also a step and trans) is an INFJ. I’m INFP. We frequently talk without speaking aloud. I’ve been his stepmom since he was 4, so there’s that. But we have an almost psychic ability to communicate. It’s cool.

[@Recee43]

The way you describe our dept of expression is spot on, down to the visonary. Its exciting because my GF(7) can listen to your videos and say " I know this person, I live with him". And after the 11yrs in the military, It took time to open up and accepting and understanding who I truly am down to the core. I practice Tarot, Drawing, Photography, Reading, writing, Traveling and just opening up, diving deeper creating a stronger connection with myself and my GF, its an amazong journey. I know myself but your wisdom has changed my life.

[@GeekPsychology]

haha. it's a strange feeling, i'm sure. i like all those things that you mentioned. i mean... except the military... though i always thought about it and wanted to join some high-level team like SWAT for the longest time... i don't think i would've done well...

[@Recee43]

@@GeekPsychology Totally understand, it was hard for me but it molded me to never quit while teaching me to give everything I do my very best. As a INFP-T I basically jumped in the pool of fire but based on my values it was a huge sacrifice. You can imagine how this experience emotionally gave me insight of my deeper self.

[@mg8565]

The vast realm of emotional concepts are difficult to express in words, even when we can clearly think what we're feeling - the words start to come out and before long I am saying contradictory things, trying to clarify that which was meant to clarify, and in general just realizing that the complexity of my thoughts require a very specific audience to be understood. The easiest conversations are with other introverted intuitives.

[@GeekPsychology]

Maybe it's because we are trying to THINK through what we are FEELING and thus using the wrong language

[@khadeejadja]

Yes !🎯💯 Still remembered that I have answered your question for each INFPs in one of your previous videos - problems in articulating what I feel or think. And thanks Matt for replying my answer in comment section of that video. This video is a much better, proper answer for that. BTW, this is also helpful for any INFPs writers who are struggling with writers' block. This is the real writers's block for INFPs, I believe. Because this is the main barrier that stopped and still stops me from being prolific.

[@GeekPsychology]

glad i answered it :P you're welcome and ... i've started to not believe in writer's block... it's just a habit of focus and not knowing how to use Ne imo... and also applying too many judgments onto the creative process. i can't stop ideas from coming...

[@vazzaroth]

How are you perfectly addressing all the same things I start thinking about now that I found I'm infp instead of intp, in order, within 24hrs of me realizing them lol

[@GeekPsychology]

lol. i'm watching you :o

[@t.c2031]

I’m so glad to see this and know it’s not something wrong with me and that I’m not alone. ❤

[@GeekPsychology]

[@HarmonyTheKF]

Lots of ur videos are spot on! ✨

[@GeekPsychology]

Glad you like them!

[@INFP_and_ADHD]

We need to practice expressing ourself - it will be impossible to show all the inner reaches from the get-go, so express just one small thing at the time and practice it again and again... Rince and repeat...

[@GeekPsychology]

that's right!

[@ronineidolon]

Yep. Spot on.

[@GeekPsychology]

:D

[@gail8453]

When someone asks me what I'm thinking, I tell them what question I was trying to answer for myself. Because I'm anxious to avoid having my values or myself criticized, I'm willing to describe the train of thought that got me to that point, but I generally avoid explaining why I care about the answer. Explaining comes off like asking permission--I'm not asking!

[@GeekPsychology]

Interesting! What will happen if you have your values or yourself criticized?

[@gail8453]

@@GeekPsychology Depends on whether or not the person cares about me. If they do I give their thoughts consideration; if they don't, I don't.

[@marius4161]

Is this why I am bad at telling jokes? It is like I lose my stream of thoughts. Like I can't express myself. I always considered myself kind of dumb because of this. Maybe because of this, people tend to ignore me or it often happens to me to see myself the last in a queue even when I am amongst the first at the begging. I don't know if it has something to do with what you are saying. Or maybe, this is something that annoys me sometimes, I tend to forget small things, like my cellphone, my keys. When I was in school I forgot my schoolbag at school. Does these things happen to you?

[@GeekPsychology]

yeah I remember going to the office in HS several times because I forgot my locker code. lots of those instances. jokes and speaking in an influential way are learned skills. some people learn them naturally and can't explain why or how, other people take intentional time and put in effort to learn to do it.

[@hadiza1]

❤️