Hello sweet friends! Whelp, if you started school this past week, you’re probably in total recovery mode. We are, at least. I kind of thought we might die, but we totally made it. And I wanted to take a break from our regular Saturday line up, to share this fun little collection of thoughts with you.
If you’ve been on Facebook this week, you probably spied this little eye-opening article. If not, go read. We’ll still be here when you get back.
I was intrigued, thinking that absolutely none of these points would apply to me. Disturbingly enough, it was kind of eye opening. As in nearly all of the points applied, eye-opening. So then I decided to google an old school Myers Briggs personality test on the internets. And came up with this (if you want to take the test yourself).
(If you’ve never taken a personality test before, you can read all about the letters and what they mean, here.)
Are you ready for this? I’m 33 years old and I might finally start to understand myself.
I took the test twice: INFJ. Jamin took the test, and is an INTJ.
Apparently, I am a reformed extrovert. {I’ve always related, in the past, to this.}
So last night, Jamin and I were talking, and we decided to take the same quiz again, but this time for each other.
He was still an INTJ but this time? I was an ISFJ.
Both of these quiz results described me, but the ISFJ… NAILED IT. Mostly. Is it possible to be middle of the road on some things? Is it possible for my own husband to know me better than I do?
I never have tested well. Can I blame some of it on that?
*Updated: Thanks to Kim Marie’s word (below) this definitely describes it. HOORAY! I am not a total weirdo since I feel like I don’t fall into either category! ;} AMBIVERT!
I think it’s good to be self aware. It’s even better to not let things define you.
This explained things for me, like why I need to process when put on the spot. Or why if someone has an over-the-top personality, I definitely take the back seat. Apparently, I’m only 67% introverted, so I can also cover the bases in a social gathering if I need to. And people enjoy spilling their beans in my presence. It’s a secret talent. Is it possible that my introverted husband has rubbed off on me after eleven years? Maybe I’m just well-rounded…
There are so many interesting elements to a personality test, but beyond 16 combinations of letters, there are also so many elements that can also shape a person, beyond that.
So what’s your personality type? Has it changed a little over the years? I think you are who you are at your core… (isn’t that formed by age five or something?) But we’re always growing and changing… that’s the beauty of life, I believe. ;}
So take the test! Tell us your answers! We’d love to hear your take on it all!
Kim Marie says
Love this blog post. I am always fascinated with personality and had taken the test previously. I am ISFJ! I recently came across an article that used the term AMBIVERT! It’s described as a personality trait including the qualities of both introversion and extroversion. Ha. Yup….that’s an even better explanation, I believe. Thanks for the post this morning.
ashley @ the handmade home says
WHAT?! I am going to google this. Immediately. That feels a bit more accurate! ;}
Jeanne says
That’s exactly what I thought it meant….was there some other meaning implied?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey! I’d just never heard of the word before. I felt a little un-defined because I didn’t fit clearly in one category or another and over time I’ve apparently fluctuated. I’m just glad there’s a word for it! ;} I feel borderline.
Jeanne says
Gotcha!
Amy says
Ambivert is perfect for my husband and me, too! Love it! He is an ISFJ, and I’m an INTJ, though any given day we can retake the inventory and be an ESFJ and ENTJ, respectively. Both of our fields, especially mine (education/higher education), necessitate constant socialization that is SO rewarding but also incredibly draining–we are often pushed to be more extroverted to adapt to our environs. So much of my energy goes into helping children and adults learn that I come home half-dead–I would compare it to the batteries in my keyboard and mouse that seem to need constant recharging! Like Jackie, I’m much more comfortable giving a presentation to a large audience or singing on the praise team before hundreds than engaging in idle chitchat or “networking” with others..it feels so contrived and artificial! I also tend to be the person who responds to someone’s question with a philosophical question (Socrates, anyone?) that results in that awkward silence where conversation grinds to a screeching pause, which, is even MORE mortifying for me, yet I can’t seem to stop myself from thinking “big thoughts” and asking “big questions”!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Amy – you just nailed it. Jamin is the same way with his profession in Ministry. When push comes to shove he does what he must. And with mine in what I do, I think I have become more of an introvert! ha! ;}
Jackie says
Ashley, I love this post! I am also 33 and just discovered I, too, am an introvert. My husband who is an introvert and has always known it has been trying to convince me for months. My experience at Haven, where I nearly freaked out the first day, started to open my eyes. #8 in the first article you shared, which says I would rather speak to 500 people than mingle with them afterward, describes me perfectly. I am actually much better at mingling in small groups. This late in my life I have finally learned that being talkative and social does not necessarily mean your an extrovert.
I just have to add, being an introvert is not a negative thing. I think some companies and employers view it that way, which is unfortunate.
Introverts unite!
ashley @ the handmade home says
I agree! So true!
Jennifer S. says
I totally understand this! I have always been an introvert. Always. But the last few years things have changed a bit. Some tests have me as an extrovert but still some have me as an introvert. I am not sure where I lay. I am more than happy staying home with my family, but I do need to get out and hang with people sometimes too…I really enjoy that. I don’t know! Funny how it all works though!!
Lori H says
I am a ISFJ too!
Danielle says
I love the personality tests. I am an ISTJ and it describes me to the minutia. My husband and I actually took this test for our kids and were so enlightened!! I have a Scientist like your husband- maybe he can clue me in on how to parent my daughter- it is a unique personality! Take the test with or for your kids- it really helped us to see and appreciate their different personalities.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Um, duh. Good call on the personality for kids thing. It may be a little difficult for our four year old and five year olds – I’m still pinning down certain traits about them, but DEFINITELY for the 8 year old. I’m trying it with all three. So cool.
Jeanne says
INTJ – same as I took it 15 years ago. But I did notice that the percentages had shifted. So I guess that things have changed a bit over time for me, but not a lot. Never had kids so that probably plays a part.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Interesting that your percentages changed. Very enlightening isn’t it? ;}
Jeanne says
It is, but at the same time I think it’s inevitable. We may not radically change over time, but we do change over time. So we may have different (re)actions to situations than we used to, and also because some of us spend so much time at work, it’s hard to disassociate ourselves from work as opposed to home and personal time/life, so we may waver back and forth between answers to the MBTI test. Brings a new thought line towards “wearing different hats” in different situations/worlds. Some advocate for wearing the same hat everywhere you go/are. Then you don’t have to switch gears so much. But I can see where that might not be so good for some people in certain careers.
Jessica kent says
I was so surprised that my test came out introvert but our counselor explained that while I don’t mind talking to people or parties or entertaining, these things don’t energize me. I am definitely energized by days at home with my little family. A extroverted friend of mine would go to Target just to be around people when her husband was working out of town. It definitely helps me plan my days! I know I need empty days on the calendar!
ashley @ the handmade home says
YES! I can stay home for days on end and be perfectly happy. In fact, it kind of stresses me out sometimes to go places with all three of my children… particularly target. I volunteered all day yesterday at our childrens’ school, and now I’m completely drained. COMPLETELY. and guess what today is? A work day. Must. Get. Sewing. Machine. Out…. but the sofa and Breaking Bad are calling my name! ;}
Audi Day says
This is insane! I was just chatting with a friend about the same thing and the WEIRDEST part is that I am an ISFJ too!! Crazy! I should have known we were the same because obviously the most awesome people are ISFJ’s!
Kidding, of course!
ashley @ the handmade home says
I’m not. ;}
.:|Angela|:. says
I’ve always known that I’m an introvert. I admired, sometimes even jealous, how others could engage in a conversation with total strangers so easily. I’ve tried to change my behavior over the years but is still difficult for me. I am reading Susan Cain’s book “Quiet – The Powerr of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.”. Now I have a better understanding of why I am the way I am and try to embrace my “uniqueness.”
Lucinda says
My results Extravert(67%) Sensing(25%) Feeling(50%) Judging(44%) I took the Myers-briggs test in college (that was about 29 years ago) and it’s interesting what has changed. I’m more feeling now and less extraverted. Great post thanks for sharing.
Kathie says
I can highly recommend the book “Gifts Differing.” She talks in there about how as we age we begin to naturally develop the less preferred parts of our temperament (for instance, feeling, if you’re a T). A very interesting book. (i’m an ISFP).
Anna-Ruth Murphy says
INFJ…me and Mother Theresa, who knew?! Fun and interesting…thanks!
Heidi says
I knew there was a reason your posts always hit home for me-another ISFJ here! Although I did take the test years ago for work-I remember my boss was incredulous that I was an “I” and not an “E”. We were in HR, and because so much of our jobs required us to be “on” (plus I think I’d been hired fairly recently so I’d really pushed myself to be as outgoing as possible) she couldn’t believe I was really an introvert.
Sharon P says
I had just recently determined, in my own mind, that I’m really an introvert, not an extrovert as some people perceive me to be. I took the test, and I’m an INFJ. I have to say that I love, love, love people, and I can talk to anyone about anything, even people I meet at Target or the grocery store. And strangers readily tell me “everything!” I’m comfortable with all that, but I’m truly more “me” when I’m at home with my family or being with my closest friends and family. I can enjoy a party, but really don’t care whether I attend one or not–unless it’s a party for my grandkids! I prefer reading a good book, watching an old movie or doing projects. Time alone is necessary for my state of mind. I teach an Adult Bible Class at church and that gives me great joy and fulfillment. Our God uses all personality types, even introverts!
Melinda says
Sharon-you still sound like an extrovert to me:) I am an INTJ. I teeter between that an INFJ. I am very uncomfortable 1 on 1 with people I don’t know unless we have something very specific to talk about. Chitchat is very hard for me. I don’t mind small groups as long as there isn’t an expectation of me to talk if I don’t feel like it. I recharge by being completely alone. I love to hang with my friends and family and my job requires me to be with different people all day long but it is exhausting. I don’t mind crowds generally b/c I can get lost in the crowd and become invisible, so to speak. I mull things over in my head for a long time. Interestingly, my best friends tend to be extroverts.
Tiffany says
ISTJ and a huge Myers-Briggs nerd! I’ve definitely become more middle-of-the-road on most things as I’ve gotten older, except I’m much more introverted now than when I was in college, for instance. (Or maybe just more grumpy–ha)
It would be such a helpful starting point if everyone would walk around with nametags with their personality type. š
harlie @ loveofsunshine.com says
I took this test ages ago, once in high school and again in college. INFJ both times and still. However, I’m not strongly NFJ…just “moderately” (though I’m STRONGLY introverted). When I took the test way back in the day, most of my classmates got a result like “ExTP” or “IxxJ”. Which meant that they equally or nearly equally had traits from both types. According to the tester, this is really common since people don’t generally fall neatly into any kinds of catagories.
Also, he mentioned that your profile can change as you move through life. I can definitely see this. While I’ve always been an INFJ, I’ve definitely seen my profile breakdown move to a more middle-ground (except, of course, for the introversion…that may actually be getting stronger as I get older).
And one final note: INFJs have been described to me as “the extroverted introverts”. That is to say, because of the “extraverted feeling” aspect of their personalities, they tend to be deeply interested and connected with other people and their stories and make more of an effort to socialize than other introverts.
Holly says
My hubby is an INTJ, too! How do cope? Ha! I’m an ISFP, bordering an “E”. I, too, postpone doing something I’m pretty sure I’ll love for fear of it being wrong, or unretractable. Darn perfectionist-ism! I TOTALLY understand having to process before responding (ever go back over a conversation a few minutes later with the BEST come back ever?) and have a secret super power that makes people think I’m really easy to talk to and tell me things that they’ve never told anyone else, which I promptly forget about. Guess you can be really good at keeping secrets if you have a terrible short term memory. š
Angie Davidson says
For years, I tested at ENTP. Took the Meyers Briggs a while back, just for giggles, and came up INTP. Have consistently tested INTP since then. Seems accurate. I love the meme, “I’m not shy, I just don’t like people”. Very fitting. I think that as we age, we tend to settle into our true personality type…many people have the misconception that being an introvert means that you are shy and quiet…that’s not always the case. I am a talker; I have ADHD and never shut up. However, I also live in my own mind and prefer my solitude sometimes, Okay, most of the time.