As an ESFP, your mind is wired to lead with Extraverted Sensing (Se) and Extraverted Thinking (Te)—you interact with your external surroundings with immersive engagement, you thrive in dynamic environments, and you take action with boldness and intensity. Your energy and experience-driven motivation help you stay grounded in the present while moving swiftly through life’s demands. 

But when the present becomes too stagnant, or when your future seems full of uncertain outcomes, you may find yourself trapped in a cycle of boredom and anxiety, second-guessing everything.

Have you ever found yourself immersing yourself within novel experiences, just to escape a feeling of emptiness about your present circumstances? Or accumulating an excessive amount of material things to relieve yourself of superstitious anxiety over what the future may bring? These unhealthy states are a sign of an unhealthy dynamic between SeTe(+) and your divergent pair: Introverted Intuition and Introverted feeling, NiFi(-). 

 

 

How to Use Your ESFP Cognition to Overcome Anxiety and Depression

 

SeTe(+): Stay connected with your surroundings with a focus on your well-being

In SeTe(+) mode, you’re at your best—taking decisive, practical steps, responding to your environment with immediate action and resourcefulness. You make decisions quickly and confidently, execute your plans efficiently, and learn by doing. When you're in this state, you feel alive, in control, and able to shape your life with courage and intention. It is important to stay connected to this mindset, without becoming so attached to it that you overindulge when life gets boring or uncertain. 

SeTe(+): “I’m grateful for the fun activities and fun people that keep me thriving and feeling alive.”

When anxiety or depression starts to creep in, you may find your mind becoming noisy and full of chaotic questions. Instead of escaping a noisy mind by overindulging in sensory pleasures, ask yourself: What can I do right now that supports my health, my goals, or someone I care about? Whether it’s organizing a space, moving your body, or helping someone solve a problem, SeTe(+) thrives when it's in motion and taking action– so focus on taking action in ways that will boost your well-being, rather than using action as an escape outlet. 

Taking action with a mindset focused on balance and well-being can create momentum that pulls you out of emotional stagnation while avoiding overindulgence. Focus on interacting with the external world in ways that keep you attuned to supporting the positive energy of yourself and those around you.

 

 

NiFi(-): Avoid Getting Stuck in Endless Self-Analysis

When you shift into NiFi(-), anxiety and depression may cause you to ruminate excessively on negative thoughts, imagining worst-case scenarios, or developing superstitious beliefs about what the future may hold for you. You may also find yourself chaotically trying to define your identity to justify your value in this world, just to escape a feeling of boredom and emptiness with the stagnation in your life.

However, the first step to a healthy connection with NiFi(-) is to accept that you can find happiness and meaning, even when the present may be stagnant, and even when the future may be uncertain. 

NiFi(-): “I’m not afraid of reflecting on meaningful ways to stay happy, even if I didn’t have certain material possessions or accomplishments.”

As an ESFP, you thrive on external interactions, meaningful activity, and tangible possessions. It is easy to feel depressed or empty when your current possessions start to bore you, or anxious when your future becomes uncertain, leading you to question your self-worth and wonder what other actions you should do to ensure a better future. However, it is important to realize that there are always new opportunities and new situations to create– your NiFi(-) can help you stay grounded and content with who you are, despite what possessions or accomplishments you may have. Instead of engaging in NiFi(-) to question your self-worth and ruminate on what new possessions or actions you should take to boost your self-worth, engage in NiFi(-) to remind yourself that you are already valuable just the way you are, and that your value and happiness are not dependent on what you have or what you do. 

It may also be helpful to remember: your identity isn’t a mystery to be solved in your head—it’s something you create by what you do in the world. You rediscover yourself not by thinking harder, but by doing more of what lights you up.

 

 

Anxiety and Depression Do Not Define You

You are not your fears, your ruminations, or your low moods. Those are just signs that your cognitive strengths have become misaligned. By engaging SeTe(+)—your power to act, move, and create—you reconnect with your joy and your momentum. By using NiFi(-) in a way to ground yourself in your identity and keep yourself content with you who are, you can avoid a loop of self-doubt and rumination—you free yourself to return to the world with energy and direction. 

Finally, cognitive fluidity allows each person– no matter what type– to harness different mindsets for overcoming anxiety and depression. SeTe(+) and NiFi(-) are most likely to be helpful for ESFPs, it is possible that the wellness mindsets of other types might help you too. If you are an ESFP, you may find it helpful to first tap into the wellness mindsets of SeTe(+) and NiFi(-), then subsequently learn from the wellness mindsets of other types:

 

Mindset Quotes to Overcome Anxiety & Depression

 

ESTP (SeFe)

 

SeFe(+): I’m grateful to be able to engage in impressive activities and hang out with impressive people.

NiTi(-): I’m not afraid of reevaluating and ensuring I have a beneficial foundation for why I do what I do.  

 

ESFP (SeTe)

 

SeTe(+): I’m grateful for the fun activities and fun people that keep me thriving and feeling alive.

NiFi(-): I’m not afraid of reflecting on meaningful ways to stay happy, even if I didn’t have certain material possessions or accomplishments. 

 

ENTP (NeFe)

 

NeTe(+): I’m grateful for all the interesting ways I can innovate my surroundings and creatively influence others. 

SiTi(-): I’m not afraid to uphold different standards in order to be more organized and loyal in my interactions. 

 

ENFP (NeTe)

 

NeTe(+): I’m grateful for all the interesting opportunities to have fun in new ways.

SiFi(-): I’m not afraid of disciplining myself with habits that can actually sustain my well-being. 

 

ISTJ (SiFi)

 

SiFi(+): I’m grateful for familiar routines and trusted methods that provide comfort and stability. 

NeTe(-): I’m not afraid of letting go of pride or facing uncertainty when trying new methods. 

 

ISFJ (SiTi)

 

SiTi(+): I’m grateful that I can be diligent and meticulous with the tasks I do for others. 

NeFe(-): I’m not afraid of the uncertain, unpredictable outcomes when I address the emotional needs of others. 

 

INTJ (NiFi)

 

NiFi(+): I’m grateful to be pursuing meaningful goals that align with a wonderful destiny. 

SeTe(-): I’m not afraid of letting go of certain goals in order to engage in tedious but necessary work.

 

INFJ (NiTi)

 

NiTi(+): I’m grateful that everything happens for a meaningful reason. 

SeFe(-): I’m not afraid of handling unpleasant people in unpleasant situations.  

 

ESTJ (TeNe)

 

TeNe(+): I’m grateful for the diversity of tasks I could accomplish to fulfill multiple needs. 

FiSi(-): I’m not afraid of making peace with special situations that don’t align with my personal standards. 

 

ENTJ (TeSe)

 

TeSe(+): I’m grateful for all the accomplishments I’m making to fulfill an agenda. 

FiNi(-): I’m not afraid of finding contentment if my goals are not met. 

 

ESFJ (FeNe)

 

FeNe(+): I’m grateful for the diverse groups of people out there and the diverse ways I can make them happy. 

TiSi(-): I’m not afraid of questioning my own competency and work on improving it, even if it may mean spending less time with others.  

 

ENFJ (FeSe)

 

FeSe(+): I’m grateful for specific people in my life and the specific things I’m doing to make them happy.

TiNi(-): I’m not afraid of reevaluating whether my methods will truly achieve a beneficial goal for everyone. 

 

ISTP (TiNi)

 

TiNi(+): I’m grateful to be competent at making my ideas become a reality. 

FeSe(-): I’m not afraid of collaborating with people in a harmonious way as I pursue my goals. 

 

INTP (TiSi)

 

TiSi(+): I’m grateful to be competent at ensuring accuracy and precision in the work I do.

FeNe(-): I’m not afraid of handling new social situations that may require flexibility with my routine.

 

ISFP (FiNi)

 

FiNi(+): I’m grateful for the pleasant experiences I can have as I pursue my goals

TeSe(-): I’m not afraid of the challenging tasks that must be done to achieve the results I want.

 

INFP (FiSi)

 

FiSi(+): I’m grateful for the pleasant experiences I have whenever I keep to the habits that benefit me. 

TeNe(-): I’m not afraid of possible challenges that may require me to step out of my comfort zone.

 

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