Hello form Oz

[0z gal]

Hello everyone,

I'm a 28yr old girl from Australia who has just stumbled apon the revelation that identifies myself as an INTP.
After a few weeks soul searching and doing many personally/career tests I've ended up here with you all and i must say a little scared!
I've always felt a little outside the circle in life and reading all these personality descriptions that seem to sum me up perfectly have also highlighted that I'm a rarity, around 1% of the population? or 5% for the Rational theory.

My question to you all is how do i find balance? how do i find a career that will fulfill and keep my mind from wandering into other possibilities?
Will the world ever stand still and will i ever stand still long enough to enjoy it?

Is being an INTP a curse, because i certainly feel alienated most days.

I'd love to hear your thoughts,

Thanks for listening :o

[Kuu]

Finding out that you are an INTP may be depressing at first. But eventually you realize its not a curse but a challenge. We have our distinct set of strengths and weaknesses, and knowing them is empowering. That way you can be proud of who you are, even in the face of being an outcast.

Besides, most modern culture is alienating regardless of personality, so there's that... The sad state of the human condition is that we have an instinct to seek belonging, but by itself it does not have any inherent benefits. It's the particular strengths of the group that are important. Considering the state of society, I don't feel so bad about not fitting in, nor about not wanting to fit in...

Also, belonging does not include understanding. That is the reason most people have joined this forum, it seems. In part for a feeling of belonging but mainly, I think, because through actual discussion (instead of the sheep-or-flame nature of most forums) we can find some sort of understanding about ourselves, others and whatever. So welcome.

How do you find balance? Or a fulfilling career? That is the task of a lifetime... I wish I knew how....

[loveofreason]

Welcome Oz gal.

Tekton said it all beautifully. All I can add is, let's hear more of your thoughts!

[PreAlgebra]

Hello Oz Gal.

Well said Tekton. I really agree about knowing your strengths and weaknesses as being empowering.

What is it that you would like to find balance with?

That is a huge struggle for me on a daily basis. One example is that I am naturally anti-social but crave the company of others. I still am not sure how to reconcile this.

[Decaf]

I had a similar experience growing up. Most of the people around me wanted me to be, or at least be better at, things that didn't feel adhesive to who I was. I would learn it, but it just never stuck.

Everyone has their difficulties, but I wouldn't go so far as to say every personality feels ostracized. In any culture there is a predominate personality that culturally thrives. In the U.S. its ESTJ (most CEOs, entrepreneurs and managers are of this type). I've heard ESFP for Australia, but I've never visited so I'll avoid weighing in on that. Assuming that's the case its no wonder you've felt like you didn't fit in being an INTP. In the states the type diametically opposed to the dominant personality (INFP) is 7x more likely than any other type to commit suicide. As much as I focus on theories and the development of a better way to understanding humans as a system, that engages my feeling function like a vise. Its one thing to judge by skin color. That's just ludicrous, however sadly prevalent. Maybe I'm biased because of my field of study, but I think its worse to judge someone as good or bad based on what's beneath the surface.

The MBTI may not be the answer to the problem, but its a step in the right direction. Welcome to the Sanctuary for the INTP.