Are You The World’s Quietest Personality Type?

The INTP (Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Perceiving) personality is one of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator types and it’s one of the rarest in the world, with only 3 to 5% of the population identifying with it. People in this bucket tend to be more introverted and thoughtful, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If you relate to these 15 signs, chances are you’re an INTP.

1. You thrive during alone time.

You’re an introverted person who thrives when alone. You like to spend a lot of time by yourself so you can process your thoughts and feelings. You sometimes feel like you can’t do this around other people, so you value your space. When you don’t get it, you can get very cranky very quickly.

2. You hang out with a select few friends.

two men looking at mobile phone

You’re someone who values deeper connections instead of superficial ones, so you’d rather spend time with a few genuine friends instead of having hundreds of acquaintances. You’d also rather be with someone with whom you’re building a real friendship with instead of a low-key acquaintance with whom you only laugh or share pleasantries.

3. You love deep conversations.

two guys having a convo at a desk

You avoid small talk as much as possible! You’d rather spend time having deeper intellectual conversations with people. This is what makes you feel stimulated during conversations, whereas small talk makes you feel drained and kind of bored. It’s all about delving below the surface for you.

4. You make decisions based on facts.

woman portrait smiling beautiful©iStock/gpointstudio

You’re a big thinker and you’re led by your head instead of your heart. When making an important decision, you focus on the facts and do tons of research. This helps you to feel confident about what you choose. You don’t let your feelings get in the way. That’s the only way you can ensure you’re doing what you believe is truly right.

5.  You focus on the bigger picture.

When you’re working on a task or project, you don’t get stuck in the small details. You keep your eye on the bigger picture to see what you’re striving for and to ensure you get all the facts you need to plan your way forward. Focusing on the big picture also helps you to stay motivated and keeps you from getting stuck in a rut.

6. You come alive when a topic interests you.

Although sometimes people might see you as emotionally distant because you’re so quiet, when a topic that interests you comes up, you express lots of enthusiasm for it. You get excited about big ideas, which is why the INTP personality type is sometimes referred to as “The Architect.”

7. You can spend hours daydreaming.

You have lots of thoughts and enjoy spending time alone with them. You also love to daydream. People usually see you staring out of a window and they can only imagine the cool stories and adventures that are playing out in your amazing imagination. While you are likely envisioning things, they tend to be rooted in very real possibilities or plans.

8. You struggle to express your feelings.

Since you prioritize logic and thought over emotions, sometimes you can struggle to express what you feel. This can be frustrating for you and other people who see you as a bit of a mystery. It takes you a long time to open up, but when you do, you manage to communicate your emotions pretty clearly.

9. You need creative time.

woman cooking lunch in kitchen

Since your head is usually filled with tons of ideas, you feel like you need time to yourself to indulge in your creativity. During this time, you might work on problem-solving tasks or cool new ideas. Although INTPs aren’t usually known for being artistic, they can be if they apply their ideas to artistic projects.

10. You don’t like being stuck in routines.

woman working on laptop on beach vacationiStock/GaudiLab

Although you’re logical and practical, you don’t like to feel stuck in daily routines. This is why your day job can sometimes feel stressful. You tend to daydream about what cool stuff you can do once work’s finished for the day. Stepping out of your regular routine is invigorating!

11. You’re great at giving practical advice.

When friends need advice, they’ll turn to you for practical, hands-on advice. You’re great with solving their problems. However, they might not text you when they need emotional support, but that’s fine because you play to your strengths. When they want to take decisive action to change their life, that’s where you come in.

12. You need to recharge after social events.

As an introvert, you find social gatherings stressful. So, after spending all night partying with friends, you’ll need a weekend to chill out at home and do activities that help you to recharge your batteries. This is essential to keep you happy and feeling good about yourself and your life.

13. You’re honest and upfront.

You don’t beat around the bush when you have to tell someone the truth. You’d rather be open and genuine with others instead of telling people what you think they want to hear. In your opinion, that’s a waste of time. You trust that people are mature enough to not need everything sugarcoated.

14. You can be scatterbrained.

While you’re imaginative and love to daydream, sometimes you do this when it’s inappropriate, like when you have to focus on the task at hand. You’re sometimes disorganized and can get caught up in your ideas instead of dealing with admin like paying bills on time.

15. You risk isolating yourself.

Lonely young woman sitting in a bar and thinking.©iStock//skynesher

You love being on your own and doing your own thing, but in extreme cases, you risk isolating yourself too much. Try to avoid neglecting your loved ones when you’re busy working on big ideas. Reach out and connect with the people you’re closest to so that you maintain a healthy life balance and meet your social needs.

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Giulia Simolo is a writer from Johannesburg, South Africa with a degree in English Language and Literature. She has been working as a journalist for more than a decade, writing for sites including AskMen, Native Interiors, and Live Eco. You can find out more about her on Facebook and LinkedIn, or follow her on Twitter @GiuliaSimolo.
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