As an INFJ, your mind is wired to lead with Introverted Intuition (Ni) and Introverted Thinking (Ti)—you’re visionary, analytical, and always seeking to understand the deeper patterns of life. But when reality feels chaotic or out of alignment with your internal vision, you may find yourself experiencing cynicism and detachment, leading to a hidden battle with anxiety and depression. Have you ever found yourself feeling stuck in a hyperanalytical thought pattern that leaves you feeling out of touch with yourself and the world around you? This is a result of an unhealthy relationship with NiTi(+).

When you are engaging in NiTi(+), you live in a mental environment that prizes insight, intellect, and philosophical wisdom. You are confident in your ability to synthesize information, connect ideas, and refine your understanding of complex, abstract matters. This dynamic fuels your ability to harmonize a myriad of theories and philosophies so that you can inspire and motivate others to make wise, logical decisions. 

However, when you overuse your NiTi(+), you may be stuck in a state of philosophical overanalysis, leading you to feel detached with reality. This leads to an unhealthy relationship with Extraverted Sensing (Se) and Extraverted Feeling, SeFe(-), and you may find yourself obsessing over concepts and ideas that may not offer much practical value to yourself or those around you. You may find yourself failing to be as inspirational as you had hoped to be, making you feel out of touch and subconsciously fighting a battle against depression. 

How to Use Your INFJ Cognition to Overcome Anxiety and Depression

NiTi(+): Cultivate An Evolving, Nonjudgmental Narrative For Your Experiences

NiTi(+) is what enables you to use narratives to make sense of your life circumstances and the world around you. By creating an evolving narrative about your circumstances, you can feel more in touch with the harmonious interplay of the many events taking place in the world around you, leading you to develop more inspirational philosophies for yourself and others. 

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

If you’re feeling anxious, overstimulated, or detached, refrain from overanalyzing or questioning your sense of purpose in the world. 

Instead, stay connected with NiTi(+) by regularly giving yourself space to reflect quietly and hone your natural ability to create narratives to find intellectual harmony with everything that’s happening around you. 

 

SeFe(-): Stay In Touch With Your Drive Positively Impact On Others

While your natural NiTi(+) can help you feel at ease through creative ways to make sense of your surroundings, be sure to refrain from overthinking and over-narrating– remind yourself that not everything needs to fit perfectly into a coherent narrative. 

SeFe(-) allows you to tune into your environment and understand social dynamics, which can help you refrain from feel more connected in reality, so that your internal narratives and philosophies can have a meaningful impact on the people around you. 

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

Remind yourself that you can contribute to the world without being consumed by it. You can make the positive impact that you naturally desire to make, without matching everyone's emotional needs or respond to every external demand. Ground yourself through mindful engagement: check in with your physical environment when necessary, but give yourself permission to pull back and reset internally. Your worth is not tied to how well you adapt to external pressures.

 

 

Anxiety and Depression Do Not Define You

It’s easy to feel lost in overanalysis or detachment when anxiety and depression arise, especially for INFJs whose minds are built for conceptualizing and analyzing creative ways to harmonize their understanding of social dynamics. But these struggles don’t define you. You have powerful cognitive tools within you to navigate them.

Use NiTi(+) to come up with meaningful narratives that help you understand how everything happens for a reason. Then, engage SeFe(-) gently and mindfully—remembering that you can create a positive impact in the world without becoming consumed by it. 

Finally, cognitive fluidity allows each person– no matter what type– to harness different mindsets for overcoming anxiety and depression. NiTi(+) and SeFe(-) are most likely to be helpful for INFJs, it is possible that the wellness mindsets of other types might help you too.  If you are an INFJ, you may find it helpful to first tap into the wellness mindsets of NiTi(+) and SeFe(-), 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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