The first time I saw this meme, I kind of grunted (really a “hmph” of acknowledgement and agreement) and thought to myself, “So true.”

I am trying to become more self-aware, day by day. Sometimes the results are pleasing, other times, not so much. One thing I’m particularly working on is how others perceive me. What vibes am I putting off? How am I coming across to others?

While some people might be quick to point out that I shouldn’t care what others think, that’s not the goal of the exercise.

I try to be very honest about how I’m feeling at any given moment. I want my life to be authentic and transparent, so as to mitigate any confusion and help my relationships be as healthy as possible. Which sounds great, in theory, right?

But I know I do this thing where I’m totally silent and wholly lost in thought about something… maybe it’s when I’m hiking… furrowed brow, quickened pace… or at the lunch table at school… staring down at my food, blank expression on my face… I can only image how my body language appears. At these times, I feel as though people avoid me. I guess I’m coming across as angry or aloof, when in reality, more times than not, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Of course, the silent fury still exists. I could be engaging in a raucous pity-party or stewing about how awful the previous class was! It’s unfortunate that silent fury’s outward appearance looks so much like my own contemplativeness. Hence the validity of the meme.

What concerns me the most about this is lost opportunity. An opportunity for conversation, an opportunity to meet someone new, just… opportunity! And I certainly don’t want to be in a position where people think something of me that is false. Authenticity is important to me and, after all, the INFJ hates façades and phonies. But opportunity is also important to me. Despite being a prodigious introvert, I do still like people… just in manageable doses.

On the flip side, for some of you introverts who are forced to be in public more than you’d like, this can be a powerful tool. People are less apt to approach you if it seems like maybe you want to bite a chunk of their face off! 🙂

Generally speaking, I just think this is another step in striving to be the best INFJ that I can be!

But seriously, may the odds be ever in your favor.