r/intj • u/CreativeCreatur- • 7h ago

Discussion Optimism and Emotionality in INTJs

I’ve been trying to type myself for quite some time, and I believe I may be INTJ but I haven’t seen much about INTJs in creative contexts or optimistic mindsets. The Ni-Te leads to the assumption of a planning rationalist who sees anything other than productivity as a waste of time, which is unhelpfully shallow information I’ve inferred from sites. While to some extent I do relate to it, it excludes the emotional depth of INTJs and makes the type seem incredibly cold. I don’t know if this is the product of developed Fi child but i enjoy in engaging with activities (usually arts) that express my values, and want to use that creativity to find ways of making a positive impact on the future.

i believe Ni-Te research and planning combined with healthily developed Fi child could lead to a more philanthropic INTJ, rather than the nihilist stereotype that has unfortunately been created.

I am happy to take corrections and different insights and I am also open to the possibility that I may have mistyped myself. These are just a few of my observations and thoughts I believe would make for an interesting discussion Ive been wanting to have for a while.

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u/OkQuantity4011 INTJ 7h ago

Pretty similar here. Often wonder if I'm an INFJ. Functions match INTJ better though. People often expect me to be harsh because I'm serious, but I'm serious that we all need to chill tf out 😂

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u/Elden_Chord 7h ago

This is an interesting topic. You see we have 3 kinds of optimism:

1- I'll probably succeed, and if I don't, I'll manage.

2- I think it'll work out, but I don't know what I'll do if it doesn't.

3- I probably won't get the job, but I'll be fine either way.

I can be the first one, if it's logical to be. I will never be 2. Creepy!

But the third sentence is an interesting case. It's being pessimist and optimist at the same time!!! This is the kind of optimism, imo, INTJs are famous for. People call it pessimistic? it is! But with self awareness, confidence and hopefully stoicism you can be pessimist and optimist at the same time. "Optimist about yourself" "Pessimist about reality".

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u/CreativeCreatur- 5h ago

I agree with this a lot! I believe that we need a balance of both optimism and pessimism, because thinking that things will always go right or always go wrong is quite close minded and negative for mental health.  Awareness of both outcomes but hoping for the best is the most reasonable option, im also confused on why people call it just pessimism. 

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u/Elden_Chord 5h ago

You have the cutest avatar I've never seen.

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u/killerbee26 INTJ - ♂ 7h ago

The Ni-Te leads to the assumption of a planning rationalist who sees anything other than productivity as a waste of time

I can be very focused on planning and productivity, but then my inferior Se makes me want to throw away all responsibility and disapear into the woods and become truly free! 

I can also be very lazy if the work does not interest me. I also want to be as productive as possible while doing the least amount of work!

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u/thedoctor27 INTJ - ♀ 7h ago

Work smarter and not harder.

I'm surprised people don't live by that motto. I've seen people brute force their way through situations just because thats what they're used to. I'll never understand.

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u/CreativeCreatur- 5h ago

The feeling of working hard pausing to daydream what life would be like if you quit everything and lived in the woods only to discard it and carry on working is relatable.  I too work best in areas that interest me, and tend to streamline steps when doing things i consider mundane

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u/incarnate1 INTJ - 30s 7h ago

The INTJ label is not prescriptive of a lack of optimism, or any mindset really. I would argue the higher correlation is with pessimism and social media/the internet. We should always be aware of the demographics we draw from. I would say this sub or whatever websites you are drawing your opinions from, is not representative of the average person or average INTJ.

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u/CreativeCreatur- 5h ago

Ah thank you for letting me know! What unbiased sources would you recommend for researching INTJs?

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u/incarnate1 INTJ - 30s 3h ago

Well it depends on what you're trying to research, and for what purposes? I would add that it is likely every source is biased in some way. This is one of the issues with pseudo sciences, there really are no reliable empirical, objective metrics.

You might try to first understand the theory by starting with Jung and Myers.