Exploration -The INFP's Secret Power

Ahhhhh - the comfort zone. As INFP's, we have an ambivalent relationship with it. On the one hand, many of us don’t mind the idea of spending a week (or two, or three) cozied up next to a warm fire with a warm blanket and a delicious coffee… Away from all that is civilization and all that is novel. But on the other hand, that type of extended isolation and comfort can make life feel empty and complacent

As an INFP, what you are feeling in those times of extended comfort is the tension of not fulfilling your potential - not fully seeing the big picture of life (which is part of your innate purpose). It is in these times that you must step out into something new to find your flow of purpose - whether that is a new hobby, job, travel, or relationship.

Although it is important for all personality types to keep growing, this idea of stepping out into the novel is especially critical for INFP's because you have the "superpower" of being able to make more connections through exposure to new environments than many other personality types AND those connections help sharpen your sense of your values. This is central to the INFP's identity, but without the fuel of exploration, your identity cannot be refined. As an INFP, you are also likely to fall into the temptation of neglecting your superpower and NOT stepping out into new environments. This is different than other personality types that also have the exploration superpower (like the ENFP's and ENTP's).

Once you step into new environments and begin to make new connections, those insights can be integrated into your life. The integration does not require extraneous effort for the INFP who tends to be naturally reflective. The hard part (for some, not all) INFP's is stepping out in the first place. Those who don't step out may face the emptiness of getting stuck in isolation and complacency. But those who step out tend to find a way to feel more alive, learn, and grow into individuals who are more aligned with their own values.

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