10 Struggles of Idealist Personality Types

Idealist personality types, or those in the in the idealist temperament according to psychologist David Keirsey, make up anywhere from 15 to 20 percent of the population.

The idealist temperament includes the MBTI® personality types INFJ, INFP, ENFJ, and ENFP.

Idealist personality types are known for being passionate about personal growth, a desire to help others, and their dreams of making the world a better place.

Idealists are dreamers. They are creative and like to think outside the box. And they aren’t afraid to fight for what they believe in.

10 Struggles Only Idealist Personality Types Understand

But being an idealist personality type isn’t always easy! Below are some of the characteristics that make being a dreamer in a world of practicality a constant struggle.

idealist personality

1. You’re never content with how things are.

Whether it’s your job, your relationship, or what you had for dinner… Being a future-oriented idealist means you’re constantly thinking about how to make things better.

2. You find it difficult to live in the moment.

You envy your friends who can seemingly act without any regard to future consequences… Since that’s basically all you ever think about.

3. People rarely take you seriously.angry pony idealist personality

Idealism is often a trait associated with being young and naive. Having to constantly prove your intelligence to people is incredibly frustrating.

4. You can spot a fake person a mile away.

Idealist personality types value authenticity and are good at trusting their intuition when the fake radar goes off. Basically, we don’t do well with frenemies… Or car salesmen.

5. You’re often accused of being too sensitive or overly emotional.

lots of feelings

We just have a lot of feelings, you know?

6. You find it difficult to watch or read the news.

Since you are so sensitive to the feelings of others, seeing bad news is hard.

But you’re also interested in what’s going on in the world since it’s your job to make it better.

This basically means you’re always upset about something.

7. You have extremely high standards.idealistic high standards

You’re not pretentious, you just see so much potential.

8. You love to escape into the world of fiction.

So what if you’ve read the Harry Potter series five times already?

Fantasy is so much better than the real world.

9. You find it nearly impossible to make a living in what you actually like.idealist personality type angry

Turning your interest in abstract concepts into a practical career isn’t easy.

10. You have more thoughts before 9 AM than most people have in a day.

Because your mind is the internal equivalent of the Civil War.

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About The Author

Megan Malone

19 COMMENTS

  1. bryan linares | 30th Jan 15

    I loved this blog.. i can relate with some of the things said here..

  2. mrsspike | 30th Jan 15

    #6 for sure!

  3. Alex Willging | 30th Jan 15

    No. 3 and No. 8 are very relevant to me. Plus that Twilight Sparkle gif is very accurate!

  4. Kristen Beebe | 30th Jan 15

    Numbers 2, 4 and 10 are especially true for me!

  5. Warrior Freya | 1st Feb 15

    Oh my gosh. Number 10 made my day. XD

  6. Sheree Tampus | 12th Feb 15

    Reblogged this on Welcome to my wonderland and commented:
    As an ENFP, I agree with most of what’s written here

  7. LD Durham | 26th Jun 15

    Reblogged this on LD Durham and commented:
    This is pretty damn spot on. It makes me laugh, and sigh with a shake of my head.

  8. Emma Green | 26th Jun 15

    I love your blog! This is one of the best INFJ-based ones I’ve seen yet! 🙂

    • Megan | 30th Jun 15

      Thank you!! I’m so glad that you enjoy it. 🙂

  9. ila | 5th Aug 15

    very relavant to me…..I am an INFJ… Thanks for the blog..

  10. Laila Shares | 24th Aug 15

    Reblogged this on Laila Shares and commented:
    I can totally relate the almost all points here!

  11. Deb | 17th Sep 15

    I love this blog! I’m so glad I ‘stumbled’ upon it after doing a personality test in a bid to find me the ‘right’ career path… just this week, after a rather annoying job hunt that is not going too well, I thought to myself I need to turn my back on this 9 to 5 and make my own way in life and find meaning in my career, I’ve never fit into the ‘norm’ so why am I trying to? And I can totally relate to points 6 and 10 specifically!! Well, all of them really, but mainly my internal Civil War!

  12. S Malik | 19th Sep 15

    Hahaha. I enjoyed this post more than any other, since it made me laugh and I could relate quite strongly.

  13. Hannah | 14th Oct 15

    Ah I can relate to all of these!
    So I always thought I was an INFP, but after really evaluating how the 4 letters interconnect, work together and play off of each other, I almost think I’m an INFJ…
    That one blurb in particular, from a more recent post on P vs. J really made me wonder?
    Firstly, “I’m so not as put together as you think I am”, is me all the time! People constantly think I’m organized and streamlined, but my brain is always like crazy thought-soup.
    Then there was the emotions bit… Like the emotions of other people – I am ridiculously affected by them! And I think it’s more of me basically “wearing” that person for a length of time, rather than simply mirroring them. To the point where, if there’s an emotionally engaging character in a book or movie (heck even an add), I’ll unintentionally & subconsciously picture myself in their place and just take on whatever they’re feeling.
    I cannot stand arguments. They make me physically ill.
    I positively need time alone with my thoughts. However I have also, an insatiable desire for adventure of some kind.
    Not sure how often you read these..;) But since you seem more qualified than any online test, I’d love to hear thoughts on whether you’d call me an INFP or INFJ:)

  14. gratissexbelgie.be | 28th Feb 16

    We just wanna say thanks 4 creating this cool weblog and keep going the fabulous work!

  15. sallie | 29th Apr 16

    number 10 made me burst into tears….
    just get blank stares or that disinterested feeling/look when ever I make an attempt to explain…

    number 5 intrigues me greatly as I was wondering if it was linked /borders with hyper-empathy…

    fantastic post and blog…fate?

  16. sallie | 29th Apr 16

    number 10 also made me think is there something called ‘internal / introvert or the only the only other way I can describe it is ‘quiet schizophrenia’?

    apologies I know all the other comments are more positive and upbeat.
    just thought I’ll ask seems like a safe place to ask… and I have a brief window of approval and no talking…

  17. Chupacabra | 8th May 16

    Being an INFJ is not only defined by the things that make life difficult for us, but it’s also defined by the good, by the gifts of our personality type, just as each personality type has its special gifts.

  18. RMAU | 7th Jun 16

    Yet the things that make life tough for us are also the same things that make being an INFJ so amazing.

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