INFJ personality types and INFP personality types tend to be accommodating when young, and then we become more unconventional with age. As we ease into the midlife transition (also known as the “midlife awakening”) we may explore polyamory or unconventional partnerships with others. We also might travel or move more than other people, or live on the fringes of society.
Many INFJs and INFPs grow up with trauma due to being raised in a situation where the entire family has narcissistic dynamics at play, or dealing with just one caregiver or sibling who is narcissistic, codependent, or consistently violates boundaries. The ongoing trauma that INFJs and INFPs suffer in their household as they are growing up often pushes them to live primarily from the role of a survival archetype.
INFJ personality types and INFP personality types tend to have a different experience of the midlife transition than other mainstream personality types. Since the midlife transition is not something that is celebrated in Western culture, it can be a difficult period of life for mainstream personality types. These more traditional types may feel like they’re losing their youth, beauty, and status in society.
INFJ personality types and INFP personality types tend to be less attached to youth and beauty, and they also don’t tend to value their status role in society as much as other types do. Instead, INFJ personality types and INFP personality types value growth and individuation. Since midlife is one of the best times to tune into the potential for growth and individuation, INFJ personality types and INFP personality types tend to go through big identity shifts in midlife, and they also tend to welcome these shifts.