A fellow blogger recently called me a “deep thinker.” And she’s right. I never stop thinking.
One day, my husband was staring off into space. I asked him what he was thinking about. He said, “Nothing.” I said, “How do you do that?!”
No, seriously…how does he do that?
My entire life is made up of thoughts. I have notes all over the place where I have put my thoughts on paper, my books are all written in, and I cannot just LISTEN to a podcast, I have to take NOTES on it!
Speaking of podcasts, you can listen to me on Cultivating the Lovely where I talk about managing a large family with MacKenzie Monroe of Bold Turquoise. We had such a fun time! You really should listen!
Anyway, it is the INFJ in me that makes this blog what it is. All the stuff inside my head gets sifted, sorted, tried, and finally lands here on Raising Arrows. That’s probably why in the 10 years I’ve been blogging, I’ve rarely been at a loss as to what to talk about…there’s always been one more thought to think.
And if you meet me in person someday, you will find I’m not much for small talk, but I will sit with you over a cup of coffee and talk through the deep stuff for hours. Don’t be afraid to come up to me and ask questions and share stories – I’m way better at that than talking about the weather.
Want to know more fun facts about me? Read these posts:
I’d Love to Have You Over for Coffee, but First You Need to Know…
and
Melinda Johnson says
I love, love, LOVE your thoughts! You are so calm and real. So full of great advice! You are one of my FAVORITE bloggers! I’ve been following you for at least 3 or 4 years. I don’t always write in (I’m an introvert), but I’ve prayed for you and your family through your triumphs and storms, your pregnancies and weight loss, your moves from place to place. Just knowing others are homeschooling through those things inspires me when I go through my trials and triumphs. It keeps me being blind to the needs of others. Thank you SO MUCH!!! I look forward to every post you write and read most of the words 😉 Thanks!!!
Amy says
Thank you, Melinda!!!
Rebecca says
I’m not sure what INFJ is (info junkie? lol). I kind of feel like I’m in between “deep” thinking and chit-chat. I can small talk some but I grow bored quickly. I like to talk about a variety of subjects for sure, the Bible, home schooling, family to mention some of my top picks. I haven’t been able to embrace podcasts…..I don’t have a smartphone so I would have to listen on a computer or my ipad. I had an old ipad up until Christmas and I couldn’t always get podcasts to play. I listened to them on my computer during the summer but can’t really sit down to do that right now. This season of home schooling is always the most intense ( just past the half way mark but not on the downhill yet). I wish I had a smartphone, I could plug in and use ear phones (or ear buds, whatever) and could do it as I walk, do my chores or even shop. I look forward to summer when I can listen to a bunch of them…..any suggestions? I would love just a quick list of must listens and also I have a dumb question….do you download those? Are they on a “channel” or website or how do you find them? Thanks!!
ChrisG. says
Rebecca – This is from Myers-Briggs Type Inventory. It’s a way to assess your personality.
Amy says
Meyers-Briggs personality test: I(ntrovert), iN(tuitive), F(eeling), J(udging). There are two options for each category, leading to 16 personality types. The other options are E(xtrovert), S(ensing), T(hinking), P(erceiving).
I am an INTJ. 🙂
Amy says
Hi Rebecca! INFJ is from the Myers-Briggs personality test. It means I am an introvert, who is intuitive and puts feelings over logic, and prefers predictability. 😉 If you click on the link in the post, you can listen right there on your computer.
Julie says
I thought you would enjoy this link.
https://youtu.be/SWiBRL-bxiA
My husband does marriage conferences and uses the “laugh your way to a better marriage” program. The link is to Mark Gungor the nothing box. It explains how men can think of nothing and women can not.
I love reading your blog . Thank you for all you do.
Lori says
I’m an INFJ too. I read there’s only like 3% of the population that is, but I keep running into more and more! But yes, I’m a deep thinker too and it’s almost impossible to shut off the thoughts. Sometimes makes it hard to go to sleep!
Amy says
Someone recently told me the internet blog world is full of INFJ’s because this is a great way for us to communicate. 🙂
JC says
I’m with you on the small talk. If there is nothing to talk about but small talk then I’d just rather not. I prefer to have deep conversations about life, children, creating stuff, sewing, and anything else besides politics…haha! If I lived close enough I’d come have a cup of something with you. Cannot drink coffee because caffeine and I are not good friends anymore but I love a cup of herbal tea! I’ve loved reading your blog for several years. Thanks for opening up your life!
Amy says
Then tea it is!
Laura says
INTP but I hear ya! I wouldn’t know what to do w/out written reminders! I call my planner/computer lists my “second brain.” Btw, men DO have a “nothing box.” My husband confirms it. 🙂
Sabrina says
Amy, I don’t know what my personality type is on the Meyers-Briggs (I usually fall right in the middle of all personality tests) but I can certainly relate to being a deep thinker!! I hate small talk, I want to get into the meaty subjects! Maybe that is why I have enjoyed your blog for several years now (when I remember to check it!). That said, I have the opposite problem, while you never run out of things to blog about I have trouble pinning down one thing at a time and often when I do get an idea pinned down it is deep and I’m afraid to put it out there for everyone! I guess I will figure it out eventually, I certainly have enough thoughts it is just taming them that is the problem (well that and finding time to sit down and write them so that they make sense to someone else).
Amy says
I’ve found I do better if I try to “chunk up” my thoughts, otherwise they are just too much. And I have to ruminate with a thought, idea or plan for a very long time before it hits the blog. If you think backward, you may see things to write about that aren’t at the forefront of your mind right this very second. 😉
Sabrina says
Thanks for the tip!!! 🙂 I’ll definitely try!
Sarah says
My son (13 yes ) is an INFJ. I am an ENTP, which means I am a whirlwind of ideas. He and I took Penelope Trunks course on INFJ (quistic.com). One thing I learned was INFJ”s are awesome middle managers. They can turn upper management’s commands into something the workers will do. So, I pay him to over see the Littles do their chores. He does an amazing job of keeping everyone on track (including me) and the house stays nice and picked up. I never have to follow up or remind him. I love it. Even when I am gone he does this. My other kids do not magically do chores on their own. It is an INFJ thing. 🙂 I highly encourage you to type your kids. Life became so much easier when I could understand them.
Rebecca says
Okay, found the test on line and it says I am an ISTJ-A….introverted, observant, thinking, judging, and assertive. Can’t say that I disagree.
Allison says
HI! I know what you mean. I think all the time. I’m INSP. I work and think (not about work), I drive and think (not about driving) – well I do think about those things too lol. But I always have an inner dialogue going on. Always. I thought everyone was the same way. I don’t write anything down though – if I do I either lose it or never look at it again. Just thought I’d share with you so you know you’re not alone out there!
Josi says
This makes me laugh because it’s our ability to “deep think” and “deep talk” that is the reason we can meet in a public restroom and come out talking about life’s deepest issues. Of course, with two waiting husbands who are standing by talking about the weather! Ha!
Kimberly says
I’m an INFJ as well! I’d love it if you could do a blog post on managing a large family as this personality type. I find it such a challenge as I really want to give my all to each child and cannot; therefore I stress out and feel guilty. I wind up feeling stressed and worn out more easily than most and I often feel like my type is not really a blessing to my large family. 🙁 That they need a more active, easy-going, exciting mom.
Amy says
Have you read this post? https://raisingarrows.net/2016/02/exactly-the-mom-my-children-need-right-now/ ((HUGS))