15 Most Common INFJ Weaknesses
If you’ve read descriptions about the INFJ personality type, you’ll have heard many times that they’re deep, imaginative, and thoughtful. While all of that is true, every personality type has its weaknesses. No one is deep, imaginative, and thoughtful all of the time!
If you’ve read descriptions about the INFJ personality type, you’ll have heard many times that they’re deep, imaginative, and thoughtful. While all of that is true, every personality type has its weaknesses. No one is deep, imaginative, and thoughtful all of the time!
Instead of trying to hide or gloss over these weaknesses, it’s better to acknowledge them and learn how to work with them. So, let’s do just that and take a look at the 15 most common weaknesses of the INFJ personality type.
If you’re taking the time to read this post, you’re likely very self-aware, which is a great starting point.
15 most common INFJ weaknesses
Right, let’s get stuck in. And just to warn you, we’re not going to hold back on this one…
1. Overly sensitive.
INFJs are known for their compassion and sensitivity. They feel things deeply and can sometimes be highly emotional. This can be a good thing, as they are usually very empathetic and caring people. However, it can also be a weakness, as INFJs can sometimes take things too personally. They can be easily hurt by the words and actions of others. They might have a purely emotional reaction to a situation rather than thinking about it from a logical perspective, too. This can sometimes lead to problems, especially in romantic relationships and in the workplace.
2. Too giving.
INFJs are naturally giving people. They are always ready and willing to help out anyone who needs it. However, this can sometimes be a weakness. INFJs can be too giving and end up neglecting their own needs in the process. They often act as counselors and confidantes to their friends and family but don’t always practice self-care themselves. It is important for INFJs to find a healthy balance between helping others and making sure that they themselves are taken care of, too. In addition, there are some people who will intentionally take advantage of an INFJ’s giving nature, so it’s essential that they set clear boundaries.
3. People-pleasing.
INFJs have a deep desire for everyone to feel at ease. This means that they can end up going out of their way to make people around them happy. They may find it difficult to say “no” to others, even when they really need to protect their energy and mental health. This can result in them feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and taken advantage of. However, you can’t always keep everyone happy; trying to do this is a recipe for disaster. Instead, it’s better to focus on finding a balance between looking after yourself and taking care of others. INFJs are people-oriented introverts, so they need to be extra careful to preserve their social battery.
4. Perfectionist tendencies.
INFJs can have perfectionist tendencies. They often want everything to be just right, and they can get frustrated when things aren’t how they think they should be. This need for perfection can be tiring and unnecessary. It’s important to remember that no one is perfect and that mistakes are part of life. It’s partly how we learn and grow. Being a perfectionist all the time can lead to a lot of stress, and it can mean that you miss out on enjoying life.
5. Inflexible.
INFJs can also be quite inflexible. They like to be prepared, and they don’t like to wing it. This can mean that they find it hard to adapt to new situations. It’s important for INFJs to remember that it’s okay to work things out as you go along sometimes. Being inflexible can sometimes mean that you’re not open to new ideas or different ways of doing things. This can limit your ability to be creative and come up with original solutions to problems. It can also be beneficial in terms of stress levels to be easygoing at times.
6. Need for external validation.
Another typical INFJ weakness is that they may need a reasonable amount of external validation. They like to be appreciated and valued for their hard work. This can come in the form of compliments, recognition from others, or simply being genuinely liked by people. They naturally look to others for guidance and reassurance. While there’s nothing wrong with needing appreciation, it’s not healthy to rely on external validation all the time. It can make you feel like your self-worth depends on what other people think of you. As such, it’s important for INFJs to remember that their worth comes from within and that they can provide validation for themselves.
7. Uptight.
INFJs can be quite uptight. They feel a sense of security from knowing what’s going to happen next, and they can get stressed out when things don’t go according to plan. Ultimately, they don’t tend to handle unpredictability well, making them seem rigid. It’s important for INFJs to learn to go with the flow sometimes and to be comfortable not having everything planned out in advance. Taking a more easygoing approach now and again can make life more enjoyable and less stressful.
8. Conflict-avoidant.
INFJs can be conflict-avoidant. They place a lot of value on feeling a sense of harmony in social situations, which means they often prefer not to rock the boat. However, this can lead them to avoid difficult conversations. While it’s understandable that INFJs want peace and harmony, conflicts are an inevitable part of life. It’s beneficial to learn how to navigate them and to be comfortable expressing your opinion. That way, you can ensure that you build fulfilling relationships where everyone’s needs are getting met. Not every conflict has to involve an argument — sometimes, it’s just about coming to a better understanding of one another.
9. Struggle to give negative feedback.
INFJs can struggle to give negative feedback to others, even if it’s constructive and could benefit someone in the long run. Sharing negative feedback can be uncomfortable, but it’s often helpful to give people honest and accurate information that they can use to improve. For INFJs, giving negative feedback can feel uncomfortable because of their desire for harmony. They don’t want to upset anyone or hurt their feelings. But it’s possible to give honest feedback in a gentle way. It’s not about attacking people or being mean — it’s about providing helpful insight.
10. Difficulty setting boundaries.
An INFJ’s tendency to think about other people can make it difficult for them to set boundaries. It can be hard for them to say no when people ask for help or favors because they don’t want to disappoint anyone. But this can lead to INFJs taking on too much and becoming exhausted in the process. Learning how to set healthy boundaries is important for everyone, but especially for INFJs, who are naturally inclined to prioritize the needs of others above their own. That doesn’t mean they can’t be generous and helpful; it just means that they need to make sure they’re taking care of themselves, too.
11. Prone to worrying.
INFJs can be prone to worrying. This stems from their need for predictability and security. They can have a tendency to think about worst-case scenarios in their mind, which can lead to anxiety. In addition, they can replay experiences again and again in their heads, and they may worry about whether they said the right thing or whether someone likes them. It’s important for INFJs to also stay present in the moment. Instead of worrying about what could happen in the future, it can be helpful to practice focusing on what can be controlled, such as your own thoughts and reactions. This can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
12. Struggle with identity.
INFJs can sometimes forget to take into account their own values and desires when making decisions. They tend to be highly focused on what other people feel and want. This can cause them to lose touch with their own true beliefs, priorities, and morals. When this happens, INFJs can feel lost and unsure of who they really are. They can become so used to thinking about others they forget to stay in touch with themselves. It’s important for INFJs to spend time reflecting on their own thoughts and feelings so they can make decisions that are right for them.
13. Prone to Overthinking.
INFJs can find themselves overthinking things and ruminating on them for long periods of time. This is because they naturally imagine future scenarios and foresee potential challenges. As a result, they can get stuck in a loop of worrying, analyzing, and questioning. To help combat this, it’s important for them to learn how to take a step back so they can gain clarity. In addition, it can be helpful to question how the time spent thinking is making you feel. If it’s causing you to feel anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed, it may be time to reassess.
14. Struggle with details.
INFJs have a tendency to focus more on the big picture rather than paying attention to details. They are visionary, and they have a natural ability to think outside the box. However, they can struggle when it comes to dealing with the minutiae because they can find it boring. To help with this, INFJs can try breaking down larger tasks into smaller chunks. This way, they can take it one step at a time and focus on the details without getting overwhelmed.
15. Prone to daydreaming.
INFJs are often prone to daydreaming and fantasizing about the possibilities of life. They may spend a lot of time in their own head, imagining different scenarios and alternate realities. This can be a strength in some ways because it enables them to embrace their creativity and imagination, but they can become so lost in their thoughts that it can be hard for them to focus on the present moment and stay in touch with reality. It’s important for INFJs to find a balance between their daydreaming and living in the here and now.
Final thoughts on INFJ weaknesses
So there you have it: the 15 most common INFJ weaknesses wrapped up nicely into one little blog post for you. You might also enjoy our post about ENFJ weaknesses.
We hope you found this helpful and that you can use this knowledge to become even more self-aware and work on yourself. INFJs are amazing people with a lot to offer, but like everyone, they’re not perfect.
Just remember that not all INFJs will show all of these weaknesses. These are just general tendencies that are common among people of this personality type. So don’t worry if you don’t identify with all of them – it doesn’t mean that you’re not an INFJ.
Finally, don’t forget to share this post with your friends and followers – knowledge is power, and knowing your weaknesses can help you work on them and become even stronger.
