Comparing the Privacy Levels of INFJs and INFPs: Insights from Personal Experience

When it comes to the world of personality types, INFJs and INFPs share many similarities but differ significantly in how they approach privacy and personal expression. Both are introverted personality types within the MBTI framework, but their handling of privacy and openness reveals distinct characteristics.

The Privacy Level of INFJs and INFPs

INFJs and INFPs are both private individuals who value their internal worlds and personal expressions. However, there are noticeable differences between how they handle privacy and the ways they express themselves.

INFJs: Very Private Individuals

Privacy Level: INFJs are known for their high level of privacy. They keep their thoughts and feelings close to the chest, sharing them only with a select few. Their deep emotional nature makes them cautious about who they trust and what they reveal.

Reason for Privacy: They place a great deal of value on meaningful and authentic connections. The fear of being misunderstood or judged often leads them to be selective about the information they disclose.

Expressiveness: While INFJs may appear reserved, they are quite expressive within their close relationships. They engage in deep conversations but prefer to keep their broader emotional landscape private.

INFPs: Somewhat More Open, Creative Expressives

Privacy Level: INFPs also value their privacy but are generally somewhat more open than INFJs. They often express their feelings and emotions through creative outlets such as writing, painting, or other artistic forms. These creative activities serve as a form of self-exploration and sharing.

Reason for Privacy: INFPs value authenticity and may guard their inner world to protect their ideals and values. They are more likely to share their thoughts and emotions with people they feel a strong connection to.

Expressiveness: INFPs are often more willing to explore and share their feelings with others, especially if they feel safe and understood. However, they still maintain a level of privacy, particularly regarding their deeper insecurities.

A Personal Perspective

From a personal standpoint, INFJs and INFPs are indeed equal in terms of privacy. Both my better half, an INFJ, and I, an INFP, enjoy our privacy and seclusion. Despite our introverted nature, we interact with people very well and often find ourselves the recipients of others' deepest and darkest secrets.

Our ability to empathize and resonate with others' emotions means we tend to internalize and process these experiences deeply. Therefore, we often prefer to remain in our own spaces to process and decompress.

One of the challenges we face is that my INFJ prefers to speak things out loud to process his thoughts, while I prefer to work things out internally first. This can sometimes lead to miscommunications, but it’s a challenge we continue to navigate through our close understanding of each other's personalities.

Our strengths often balance each other’s weaknesses perfectly. My strengths as an INFP (creativity, idealism) are his prerogatives; his strengths (dedication, intuition) are my weaknesses. This mutual support has been vital in our 22-year relationship. Our love continues to grow stronger, and each day we feel more deeply in love with each other.

Our privacy and openness have created a unique bond. We trust each other with our deepest secrets, knowing that once shared, they remain within the confines of our relationship. This trust allows us to manage the internalization of shared energies and maintain a sense of personal separation.

Conclusion

While INFJs and INFPs both value privacy and personal expression, they handle these aspects uniquely. The key differences lie in the extent of openness, the use of creative outlet for expression, and the methods of processing complex emotions.

Ultimately, both types place significant value on authenticity and meaningful connections, leading to a rich and fulfilling private life for each individual and their close relationships. Whether you identify as an INFJ or INFP, embracing the nuances of your privacy levels can greatly enhance your personal growth and happiness.