“The things that make me different are the things that make me, me”
– Piglet
There are 3 things I can tell you about myself. I’m (finally) a proud INFJ; I have an inner warrior I’m learning to tame and channel, and I love to write. Bonus fact, I love puns – cringe-worthy, “funny to no one but me” puns. I can’t help myself. My pun-filter never got installed.
These things have weaved their way through my life, intersecting and colliding with one another time and again. Yet, it wasn’t until recently that I began to realize their connection and how to harness their power to express the stories that are stuck in my heart.
Being an INFJ
I love learning about different personality types and trying to understand how that impacts our journeys through life. If you are familiar with Myers Briggs, as an INFJ, I am an introvert, a processor and an intuitive-feeler. On the plus side, I’m pretty darn good at reading people. On the less-awesome side, this often means I am not able to effectively communicate what I am thinking on-the-spot (which definitely doesn’t help my pun-slinger aspirations). But, here’s the magic…with a pen and paper or a keyboard and a little time to reflect, the words just flow out of me. I never recognized it as a gift. I thought my communication style was holding me back from “achieving my potential” and that it was my ultimate weakness. I now know, it was a gift, hidden in plain sight all along.
My Inner “She-Ra” Warrior
I used to love watching He-Man and She-Ra while eating my breakfast alongside my big brother before school. If you know me, however, this may come as a surprise. I don’t like fighting. I don’t like seeing people get hurt, I don’t like conflict in any form. In fact, I shy away from it at all costs (not my most illustrious quality). That said, I’ve realized over the years that I have this inner fire to be strong for others, to fight for my tribe, to stand up for what I believe in – it’s my inner warrior. And let’s be honest – is there a more powerful pose in yoga than the warrior poses? “RAAAR!” This quality has reared its head over the years through athletics, friendships, and my writing. It’s the other gift that was there all along but just needed to be refined and cultivated.
Recognizing Writing as a Gift
In one capacity or another, writing has always been an important part of my persona. I find it to be a rewarding way to show my sense of humor, connect with people, and express emotions that otherwise would be trapped inside. I’ve also realized that those trapped feelings have been a significant factor contributing to moments of inexplicable sadness and anxiety throughout my life. I call those feelings “the goobies” (but more on that later). Writing, whether it is a list, a letter, a story, a poem or an email, has always had the power to unknot my stomach and lift the gray cloud. For me, writing is like standing on center stage, belting out an 80s power ballad. You have to put everything you have into it – all the skill and emotion and heart you can muster – and then just let loose. It’s liberating when done right.