Navigating the Depths of Self-Development with an INFJ Mindset
Hey, fellow explorers of the mind! Let me take you on a journey that’s not just a story but an invitation to dive deep into self-discovery, harness your INFJ powers, and embrace a stoic approach to life.
My expedition into self-development didn’t start with grand plans but a simple desire to understand myself better. As a kid I was fascinated about everything that happened around me. I’ve had such a curious mind that I always asked my parents to buy me encyclopedia’s on all different kinds of topics. As a teenager, I sought solace in sports, introspection, gaming, music and the pursuit of knowledge – planting the seeds for a transformative journey. During most of my teenage years I had lived a very introverted life, even though I was always surrounded by people. I took joy in being alone, or at least, that’s what I told myself.
Fast forward to the day I stumbled upon the INFJ personality type, I realized I wasn’t that introverted as I thought, it was just that I got exhausted of having shallow conversations with people, or people who simply couldn’t understand me. Because they couldn’t understand me, I thought I was the weird one, I thought I would be better off if I kept my thoughts to myself, expressing myself less. Once I found out my personality type through doing the test on 16personalities.com, it was like finding a treasure trove filled with the quirks, strengths, and nuances that defined me. Armed with this newfound self-awareness, my approach to self-development gained laser-focused precision.
During my life, I unknowingly wove threads of stoicism from a young age. At a younger age, I wasn’t aware of the term stoicism, let alone who it meant to live a stoic life. However, it wasn’t until later in life that I stumbled upon the stoic philosophy, and started reading books and listening to podcast on how to live a stoic life. This was the moment I realized that during my time on this planet, I already lived by quite a good amount of stoic lessons that Ryan Holiday captures so nicely in many of his books. Many of his books seize lessons from the great stoics like, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus. Currently, I am half-way with reading Ryan Holiday’s book called, Discipline is Destiny. Getting into reading books and listening to books about stoicism feels like having the ancients whispering timeless wisdom into my ears.
What intrigued me most was the symbiotic relationship between Stoic philosophy and the INFJ mindset. Stoicism, with its emphasis on controlling reactions and focusing on the present moment, aligned seamlessly with the innate qualities of an INFJ. It became the guiding compass in my chaotic sea of thoughts.
Together, the INFJ mindset and stoicism crafted a unique toolbox for navigating life’s complexities. From practicing mindfulness to cultivating emotional resilience, this dynamic duo became my secret sauce for personal growth.
As I reflect on this journey, I’m grateful for the twists and turns that led me to the intersection of INFJ insights and Stoic wisdom. The stoic-INFJ odyssey continues, a perpetual exploration of self-discovery, resilience, and a commitment to savoring the richness of every moment.
So here’s an invitation, fellow travelers. Let your path be lined with self-discovery, stoic resilience, and the unwavering embrace of your unique INFJ essence. Until the next chapter unfolds, let the journey inspire you to work on yourself, embrace your potential, and let the Stoic-INFJ odyssey continue.