What Is a Journey of Self-Discovery Like for an INFJ?
Every person would benefit from going on a journey of self-discovery at least once in their life. And each person’s journey will look different, depending on their reason for starting and what they hope to find.
This is as true for the general population as it is for INFJs. But embarking on this particular quest may feel more instinctive to INFJs, who are naturally introspective.
The Journey
I began my journey of self-discovery because I was feeling lost on the inside, a feeling INFJs may be able to relate to. But this type of journey is about more than just rediscovering what may have been lost along the way. That’s a journey of rediscovery, which I discuss in my post What Is a Journey of Rediscovery Like for an INFJ?
A journey of self-discovery can involve rediscovery, but it doesn’t have to. Self-discovery is about uncovering the parts of you that you never knew were there. It’s about searching for yourself.
The question then becomes, how do you know when you’ve found yourself? Personally, I don’t think the point is to find yourself. Like all voyages worth taking, this one is about the journey more than the destination. It’s what you learn along the way that matters.
Finding the Answers
And how do you go about making those discoveries and learning what you need to know? There are tons of suggestions out there. I found a really helpful BetterUp article called “How to know yourself: Tips for beginning your self-discovery journey.” I think that’s a great place to start.
Since you know I’m a ponderer, I would also advise you to take time alone to ask yourself some questions—questions like, “Is that really my opinion or one that’s been forced on me?” and “Do I really believe that or do I believe it because someone told me to?”
It can be scary to discover that a lot of what you really believe and think differs from what you’ve been taught to believe and think. But coming to this realization is both necessary and liberating.
Reinforcing What You Learn
Something that may help solidify your beliefs—both newfound and rediscovered—is to expose yourself to as much new as possible—new people, new places, new food, new ideas, new movies, new books. The more exposure you get to what’s new, the more you’ll understand what you like and don’t like and what works for you and what doesn’t.
You may even develop new interests or adopt new hobbies. And you’ll start to get a better sense of where your values truly lie—INFJs tend to be value-driven people.
Speaking of new, I’ve recently been talking to my new friend Sandy, and her passion for books is inspiring me to want to read more. Reading is a great way to experience new without leaving the comforts of home. Sandy actually writes about that passion—among other things—on her Book & Brew blog, which you should definitely visit.
But if you feel inclined or compelled to leave home to discover yourself, by all means, go ahead. A journey of self-discovery can involve physical travel. That’s a great way to expose yourself to new. Do whatever you feel is right for you to uncover all those hidden parts of yourself.
(I know this goes without saying, but just in case, make sure that what you feel is right for you isn’t harmful to you or anyone else.)
Final Note
I used to think it was necessary to be completely alone for a journey of self-discovery to have the desired effect. But I now realize that sometimes it can help to have someone special there with you, at least for part of the journey.
This doesn’t have to be a significant other, though it could be. But it could also be a friend or a family member who knows the real you or who can act as a sounding board for new ideas or who’s willing to try some of those new things with you.
But inevitably you will need time alone to process what you’re learning about yourself and find ways to apply it to your life. That’s the hardest and most important part of a journey of self-discovery. Remember what Bo Bennett once said: “If you are going to ask yourself life-changing questions, be sure to do something with the answers.”
Now it’s your turn. If you’re an INFJ on a journey of self-discovery, what is that journey like for you?
~ Ashley C.
Last updated: May 15, 2024