Five Fun Things

I love the stories narrated by Eva Green! I’ve never made it to the end of one.

Probably not the healthiest solution, but I use my airpods. If I wanna lie on the side, I just use one. And I’ve never lost one in bed, I either wake up holding them in my hand and put them back, or when notice I doze off, I put them on the nightstand.

Bose has sleep earbuds with noise blocking + white noise. But what I do is I don’t always sleep in our shared bedroom. My partner doesn’t even snore, and I really really love him deeply. Even then, some nights I just know that calming down will be much easier if I take some alone time before sleeping (and cool sheets!).

Same, girl, same. You need to get a headphone headband it will change your life. I can usually fall asleep to the peaceful sounds of my air filter, but if my tinnitus is acting up, or my husband is snoring (which of course is never the same night), headband headphones to the rescue! They connect via Bluetooth to my phone, and then I can fall asleep to Stephen Fry reading chapter one of Harry Potter for the 9000th time.

Earplugs for the partner! I am the light sleeper in my relationship and earplugs are just a must for me.

I put my phone under my pillow and have it really low- so I can hear it through the pillow but my husband can’t hear it lying next to me.

Hi Sara! I’m an ENFJ too (and an Enneagram 2w3 if you’ve ever taken that)! I’m a public school librarian in a low-income neighborhood in LA and it’s the very best – creative, service-heavy and people-oriented (without the grind of testing or assessments that I had when I was a content area teacher) … and I get to keep up to date with as many books as I can get my hands on!

I hope you find something you love :)

Hi Sara – I’m about as introverted as they come, but might I suggest fundraising/development? As a frontline gift officer, you would get to travel (in normal times – right now, it’s a lot of Zoom calls) and meet new people everyday. You’d work with them to identify what they’re passionate about and connect them with a project or issue where their philanthropy could make a difference. The great thing is, development exists in almost any area – healthcare, the arts, animal welfare, education, social justice, etc – so you can pick an organization that is focused on what you love. As an industry, it’s definitely got its flaws (there’s actually a shortage of talent right now because so many people are leaving the field, especially in the non-profit sector) but institutions always need more funding, so there are usually a ton of job openings, and since they’re income-producing positions, they’re usually slow to be cut.

Sara – I fully agree with Anon! I am an ENFJ (also Enneagram 2w3 like Megan!) and I am a frontline fundraiser. Philanthropy could be a great field for you to explore! Working fully remote certainly does make things less interactive than before, but it’s a pleasure to be able to connect with people about philanthropy and how they can help advance important work happening at your institution/org. Good luck exploring your options!

You might want my job–I’m also an ENFJ and love my work. I work in immigration, as an asylum officer–it’s definitely humanitarian work, and puts you in contact with really interesting people ALL THE TIME. While creative isn’t the first word I would use to describe it, you do a lot of research and writing and analyzing which sort of draws on that impulse to create in a non-artistic sense. Lots of former lawyers bc it draws on some of those skills (I am one, too) but you’ll find people with all different backgrounds who just enjoy the process of talking to people about their stories and doing something concrete to help. After all the pandemic chaos we have a temporary hiring freeze, but it’s expected to lift in the spring, so if this sounds interesting set an alert on usajobs.gov. Good luck in this transition!

Sara–what about a lateral shift? I am an ENFJ trademark attorney at the USPTO and I looooooove my job–trademarks are genuinely fascinating and working in this field you learn something new every day, I didn’t do any IP before starting my career here–I obviously handle applications independently but I have lots of outward client interaction both with pro se applicants and attorneys, and am part of a “law office” that provides me with community. I feel like I’m providing a genuinely good service of helping people gain legal protection for their businesses, while also interfacing with all sorts of people. We also all work from home now so it’s accessible anywhere in the continental US! If you’re interested in learning more about it feel free to ask Jo to connect us over e-mail. But if you’re trying to get out of law entirely I understand :)

ENFJ who too did a career change from feel good nonprofit/development work into…Human Resources. If you like helping people, you would LURVE HR in an era of pandemic, general insanity where people are just so so happy to encounter empathy and kindness. I love my job :)

I’m not an ENFJ but came here to suggest looking at the Holland code tests as well (if you havent already). Im an ISFP trying to figure out a career change it’s been pretty helpful. Its geared toward career interests and might help you too!

I’m an ENFP / J (only a 3% leaning towards P and I fit into both) I work at a design agency. Started out in Accounts, and now work in Brand Strategy. I love it! It’s the right mix of people, problem solving, selling big ideas, organizing information, research (on fun things like people and trends), and getting to hang out with a bunch of really great creative people!

I love the Calm app too. I use the sleep meditations and the nature soundscapes all the time. I just moved in with my boyfriend and the thunderstorm soundscape has made it so much easier for us to get used to sleeping in the same bed every night.

Ohhh the enneagram takes up far more of my brain space than it should

7 here! All the enthusiasm!

Abbey-SAME. It does relax me but doesn’t completely put me to sleep like a rerun of Friends does.

Yes! My use of cute bags and shoes has plummeted due to COVID. I pretty much only use my tote bag now!

Hahhahaahahhahhaha Jenny you kill me. So if you can just pull THAT out of the way.

Let’s just say that one of the most memorable evenings with my (now ex-) boyfriend took place in the ER, watching from an uncomfortable chair as his nether region was examined by a (very professional, but clearly uncomfortable) female ultrasound tech. That was a very long hour.

Ooh, it’s so worth looking into! To me it’s much more fascinating than Meyers-Briggs. I could see you as a 7 or a 2!

I actually recommend reading through all 9 types, spending some time with them, and seeing what resonates. Tests are only about 50% accurate. But wow is it ever life-changing once you’ve nailed down your type!

I had the same reaction to mine! Just an iNtuition away from ISFP, it’s pretty similar:

INFP – Your deepest thoughts and feelings are exposed to a large audience and everyone thinks that you’re pathetic and unoriginal.

*snort-laugh*

We are twins with our personality type! I knew I liked you since day 1. ? I find it super fun to have discovered someone on the internet that is so much like me. Thank you for writing your blog. Now I’m off to make BFF’s with whoever I talk to for 5 minutes!!

I’m an ENTJ too and this is my nightmare!!

Hahah. I read this one and just thought- ‘Oh! This sounds like my day to day life’!

I once came THIS close to hopping off a CDG airport bus to direct traffic so the bus could actually get on the periphery road.

A missed opportunity and a missed flight, as it turns out.

Hahaha! As a fellow INFP this tickles me, for so many reasons. Dreamers gotta stick together. My mom and two close friends of mine are also INFP and another two close friends are ENFP.

I had the same question! I love their chemistry.

Omg this is me with bike shorts—refused to accept them, thought about all the perfectly good yoga pants being turned into these unflattering stretchy Bermuda shorts…..and I just finally got three pairs. They look good under a baggy tee which is all I wear with a three month old lol

right?! why? this was me with bike shorts, wide leg pants and before that skinny jeans. I always swear I’m not gonna change my mind but I almost always do (although I’m proud to say I never bought any cold-shoulder sweaters or prairie dresses so maybe I’m getting a little better)

Taylor, it was photos of Princess Di wearing bike shorts and oversized sweatshirts that converted me. I was too young to *truly* appreciate her style when she was alive, but looking back…amazing. (Sweats, cowboy boots, and a blazer anyone??)

Actually, CoJ team, that would be a great post: reluctant acceptance of trends, or style converts. I’m a perpetually late adopter (although, I agree, those slouchy bags are too weird and impractical to ever make it into my closet – why a clutch? Who wants to carry a huge fistful of leather around?) but it’s funny how seeing the right image, or enough exposure, or maybe just clever marketing can get people on board with some strange things.

Currently holding steadfast in my reluctance to accept the early 90s neon clothing I’m seeing pop back onto the shelves. However, tie-dye/ bleached sweatshirts I am here for. No on slouchy bags for me as well. Hali you nailed it. Clock is ticking until I own something that looks like it was worn on Saved by the Bell.

Omg, my sister and I do this, we made a pact to not buy those stretchy gaucho pants in the 2000s.

Yes!

*high five*

Yes!!

Yes – we’re a rare breed I hear!

*cheers*

Apparently Michelle Obama is one, too…so, that’s a thrilling thing to have in common!

My husband is an INTJ — and can I just say I love your personality type?! Haha! I am an ESFJ, and I’m often envious of his approach to life—but, at the same time, perhaps our complementary personalities makes us work as a couple, since we’ve been together over 10 years! A plug for you all to give ESFJ’s a chance as a partner or friend ;) Just be prepared to have to explain the concept of “just because I want to be alone doesn’t mean something is wrong” a few hundred times. :)

Ha! That description was spot on!

I just felt myself get happier seeing so many other INTJs!

This just made me feel so happy this evening

YAY! I AM HERE WITH ALL OF YOU! (now I’m going away…)

Hiiiii *wave*
Love this so much!

Broccoli alfredo was my FAVORITE in childhood, I have even tried to make it myself at home during quarantine. Can’t wait to try this one.