ENFPs are often seen as the true free spirits of the ENFP. They often get portrayed as the typical manic pixie dream girl or boy in fiction that helps the lonely protagonist to explore life with all its infinite mysteries. Still they are also a quite complex type and behind their happy and carefree exterior very deep thinking and sensitive. Let‘s dive a little deeper to explore the unique sensitivities of these imaginative dreamers…
Dominant Function: Ne
„Where there‘s hope, there‘s life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again.“ ~Anne Frank
ENFPs are always full of new ideas and see the world as a place filled with infinite mysteries and possibilities to explore. This focus on what could be makes them naturally adventure, not just in a physical way, but also in the way that they can turn the most mundane situation into a magical place, full of wonder and fun. It’s no surprise that ENFPs are often the characters to inspire others to view at the world in a more hopeful way and use their imagination, like the imaginative Anne Shirley or the free spirited violinist Kaori Miyazono. This focus on ideas also makes them struggling to fully to commit to anything. Maybe one day they dream of being a writer and the next day they want to create their own fashion brand or grow watermelons in their garden. But this is also a blessing as it makes them perhaps one of the most open minded times. Living life on the edge, unconventional life styles and bizarre ideas fascinate them and they won‘t get stuck in a life of boring routine at all. Their Ne also makes them naturally skilled with languages, as they can easily uses metaphors and draw others into magical world with the power of their word. Unlike their introverted counterparts they do enjoy the spotlight and are charismatic speakers and often in the role of actors, entertainers or activists A good example of this would be Anne Frank, who managed to capture her experiences in exile into words, as no other and inspired millions with her words to never forget the atrocities committed by the Nazis. A more sinister example would be Che Guevara, who used his charisma to make his followers blindly trust him and commit to his radical ideals of freedom and equality.
Auxiliary Function: Fi
„There‘s a natural goodness built into us all.We can step across that line into evil or not.“ ~ Lucy Gray Baird, Hunger Games
While ENFP might seem rather fun and careless at first they often have a sense of mystique to them. Their feelings are very intense, but processed internally, which draws people into them, but also confuses others who are merely used to the bubbly, energetic side of this type. ENFP are actually highly sensitive and in tune with their feelings. They have a strong moral compass and sense of right and wrong often championing the disadvantaged and abused in society. They will be uncommonly fierce about their personal believes and defend them at all costs, being outspoken about injustice, racism and bullying. Similar to Jules from Euphoria or Aang in the Avatar series. If used unhealthy their Fi can also make them somewhat dramatic, easily hurt and hysteric, or causes them to seclude themselves from others. This happens to Lux Lisbon in the movie Virgin Suicides when her parents prevent her from expressing her true feelings of loneliness. Even though they are highly charming and often quite popular they often feel misunderstood even by those most closest to them, because of their hidden sensitivities. They often struggles more with accepting these feelings than the INFP, but if they do it only adds to their charm, making them fascinate others with their charisma, integrity and soulful character. This function also makes ENFPs great artists, musicians and performers as they can put their deepest emotions and passions in their work, like few other types.
Tertiary Function: Te
While they are seen as free spirited and messy by most, ENFPs can be suprsingly organized and ambitious when they commit to something or have find a cause. They make fantastic journalist and won‘t let themselves get distracted in their search for truth. A good example of this would be the idealistic news reporter Katrine in the Danish television series Borgen, who passionately engages in her work. There tertiary Te also makes them surpassingly assertive and confrontational about their opinions at times and causes them to dislike being controlled. This can cause clashes with higher Te users as time. ENFPs also make good leader because of this function, being natural skilled at taking charge. Think of Kamina from Gurren Lagan or John Keating from Death Poets Society for an example. These individuals manage to inspire others through their idealism, confidence and enthusiasm, to follow into their footsteps, rather than just commanding them based on their social status or power.
Inferior Function: Si
This is the function ENFPs tend to struggle with the most. ENFPs dislike strict routines and structures and often seen as constant rebels, like Christine from Lady Bird or activist Abby Hoffman. This can make them naturally revolutionary, but also rather impractical and stubborn at times. ENFPs are also somewhat scatterbrained and often stumble over word and objects, like Bridget Jones or Dory in Finding Nemo. While this often endears them to others, they also often need support with the more practical aspects of life. Still they can learn to manage their Si as they grow and develop a certain sense of duty and tend to treasure their memories and small traditions. A good example of this would be Sailor Moon in the Anime of the same name, who manages to grow into a responsible and dutiful princess over time.
Famous People:
Anne Frank, Stevie Nicks, Che Guevara, Julian Assange, Jennifer Aniston, Janis Joplin, Chester Bennington, Jennifer Lawrence, Tom Holland, Will Smith, Cher, Grimes, Oscar Wilde, Lil Nas, Doja Cat, Jon Lennon, Martina Hill, Gwen Stefani, Alicia Silverstone, Gabby Petito, Selena Quintanilla, Chris Martin, Claudia Roth, Ulrike Meinhof, Keira Knightley, Chris Pratt, Sharon Stone, Judith Butler, Isabelle Allende, Natascha Kampusch, Osho, Doris Day, Helena Bonham Carter, Charlie Chaplin, Elle Fanning, Bruce Springsteen, Anastasia Romanoff
Fictional Characters:
Anne Shirley Cuthbert (Anne with an E), Penny Lane (Almost Famous), Lux Lisbon (Virgin Suicides), Nairobi (Money Heist), Howl (Howls Moving Castle), Meiko Honma (Anohana), Fuuko (Clannad), Kamina (Gurren Lagan), Bridget Jones (Bridget Jones Diary), Holy Golightly (Breakfast Tiffanies), Jules Vaughn (Euphoria), Jinx (Arcane), Mad Hatter (Alice in Wonderland), Harley Quinn (Marvel), Mello (Death Note), Kiara (Outer Banks), Spider-Man (Marvel), Ariel (Ariel), Rapunzel (Tangled), Enid Sinclair (Wednesday), Catherine Earnshaw (Wuthering Heights), Lucy Gray Baird (Hunger Games), Willy Wonka (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Audrey (The Lorax), Tinkerbell (Tinkerbell), Marianne Dashwood (Sense and Sensibility), Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice), Olaf (Frozen), Jake Peralta (Brookyn 99), Dory (Finding Nemo), Aang (Avatar), Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto), Yui (K-On), Daisy Jones (Daisy Jones and the Six), Tonks (Harry Potter), Ahsoka Tano (Star Wars), Peeta Mellark (Hunger Games), Jasmine (Aladdin)
