All Posts By

Lauren Sapala

INFJ Wrath: When the Rabbit Turns into the Cobra

To the outside world, INFJ personality types are usually seen as one of the most warm and caring types. Even if the INFJ in question is very introverted, we will most often still display a very compassionate and accepting nature. We are known for being able to see all sides of a situation—and many times, all aspects of a person—and so we tend to be great mediators, and experts when it comes to human nature.

INFJs also usually know this about themselves—even if they aren’t familiar with the MBTI personality system and they have no idea what type they are. An INFJ doesn’t need to know their exact personality classification to have picked up on the fact that they can understand people at a deeper level than most others can. The warm, caring side of the INFJ is no mystery to the INFJ who is experiencing it. To us, it’s just how we are.

However, there is another side to the INFJ that is much more confusing, to INFJs themselves, and to others. Continue Reading

Is It Possible to Use Intuitive Writing in the Editing Process?

I get questions about intuitive writing all the time, and one of the questions I get most often is, ‘Is it possible to use Intuitive Writing in the editing process?’ The short answer is: yes. The longer answer is: most writers have no idea how to do this so things in this area can get sticky, very quickly.

Contrary to popular belief, using an intuitive approach to writing or editing does not mean that you have no structure, no plan, and that you just let yourself run wild and write what amounts to pure stream-of-consciousness. Using intuition—in the writing AND the editing process—means that you FEEL your way through the text, adjusting as you go according to what feels right. Usually, writers have an easier time doing this in writing than in editing because once they get to editing they tend to get into a problem-solving mindset of things needing to be fixed. Rather than looking at it as things needing to be fixed, I prefer to think of it as things being made clear. Continue Reading

INFJs and INFPs Are Not Weird. We’re Neurodiverse.

A common theme for people of the INFJ personality type and INFP personality type is to feel like most of life is a struggle. INFJs and INFPs tend to experience conflict around writing and creativity, and also usually have a hard time finding the connection to their life purpose, their truth, and their place in the world.

Most of us feel alienated, alone, and like there is no place for us. But this is what most INFJs and INFPs don’t know: Continue Reading

Why INFJs and INFPs Overthink EVERYTHING

Overthinking is a big problem for both INFJ personality types and INFP personality types. As a writing coach who specializes in working with both types, I’ve seen that overthinking is tied to INFJs and INFPs struggling overall with creativity, feeling connected to their intuition, and life in general.

So many INFJs and INFPs have said to me:

“I overthink everything. Why can’t I stop?”

Overthinking for INFJs and INFPs manifests differently, but with either type, it tends to show up around the same areas in life—specifically in writing and creativity, and in relationships and interpersonal interactions. In all of these areas, overthinking tends to manifest as decision anxiety. Continue Reading

Why Do INFJs and INFPs Struggle So Much with Being Creative?

INFJ and INFP personality types are two of the most creative personality types among all the 16 types. We love art, writing, color, beauty, and finding the deeper meaning behind everything. However, as a writing coach who specializes in working with INFJ and INFP writers, I can tell you that I’ve worked with so many people of either type who have said to me:

“I know I’m creative, so why is it so hard for me to express it?” Continue Reading