(no subject)
Hi, I'm new to the community and wondering if anyone has has experiences similar to mine. I'm 19, a sophomore in college and in the last few months I've come to the realization that I'm an introvert rather than an extrovert. I recently took the test and I'm INFP. When I think about myself, I'd exhibited introverted tendencies at least since middle school however I was never very popular and often teased by my peers. Beginning near the end of high school I essentially created a new persona for myself.
The idea was that I'd make more friends and be more outgoing. I was forcing myself to be extroverted. As an extrovert I was very ENFP. It was fun at times but also very difficult. There were times when I didn't feel like I could leave my dorm room for a meal because it would be too much stress and effort to be "the new me". I went through and entire year like this and by the end I was incredibly tired and taxed. Yet I still didn't realize I should just give up the extrovertedness because it appeared to be something people liked. It was the "right" way to socialize.
I came back to school this year with the same extroverted act after spending summer happily being very introverted because there isn't nearly as much pressure to be an extrovert at home as there is living in a residence hall. I got back to school and I nearly fell apart trying to be extrovert Andrew. Finally I did a lot of introspection and came to the conclusion I just was not an extrovert and I shouldn't try to act like one. Now my problem is despite the fact I recognize I am INFP I still feel pressure to be extroverted. It still feels like being extroverted is the correct way to socialize and people like extroverts. I can't even feel completely comfortable with my cool understanding introvert friends.
Anyone else feel like this?
The idea was that I'd make more friends and be more outgoing. I was forcing myself to be extroverted. As an extrovert I was very ENFP. It was fun at times but also very difficult. There were times when I didn't feel like I could leave my dorm room for a meal because it would be too much stress and effort to be "the new me". I went through and entire year like this and by the end I was incredibly tired and taxed. Yet I still didn't realize I should just give up the extrovertedness because it appeared to be something people liked. It was the "right" way to socialize.
I came back to school this year with the same extroverted act after spending summer happily being very introverted because there isn't nearly as much pressure to be an extrovert at home as there is living in a residence hall. I got back to school and I nearly fell apart trying to be extrovert Andrew. Finally I did a lot of introspection and came to the conclusion I just was not an extrovert and I shouldn't try to act like one. Now my problem is despite the fact I recognize I am INFP I still feel pressure to be extroverted. It still feels like being extroverted is the correct way to socialize and people like extroverts. I can't even feel completely comfortable with my cool understanding introvert friends.
Anyone else feel like this?