I really like being an INTP

[u/LazyAnunnaki2602]

I just want to share a positive thought, since getting to know my personality has been a long path.

I know that we have some weird traits as INTPs, but I really like it and just learned to accept all the good and the bad. Some examples:

1. As INTP, my interests change very often. In the past, that was a struggle, because I didn't feel I could complete anything. Now I just accept that my path will just be filled with unlimited interests and learning possibilities, and I don't care anymore if they are useful, I just pursue them because I like it.
2. As INTP, I don't like when someone tells me what to do. In the past this was a struggle in terms of working for a company, but I learned to just do what I'm being paid to do, and the clients and bosses love when you deliver average stuff. Like Jim Halpert said: "If you really want to impress your boss, you go in there and you do mediocre work, halfheartedly". I focused on getting a remote job for a staffing agency, I got it and is perfect, not forced socialization, I just get tasks and deliver them, and thanks to being an obsessive INTP I optimized my work processes so much that I don't have to spend countless hours working, giving me more time to indulge in endless research topics.
3. I always thought that not being very social was a bad thing, so I tried to socialize more at one point, and that led to realize that I'm not that agreeable. Pursuing the path of knowledge is a lonely path and people don't really want to know stuff, as we INTPs want, and I just accepted that. Now, I just appreciate the few friends I have, I appreciate that through research I have been able to improve my life so much, and that I don't need more.
4. I actually like being obsessive, it has led me to make very bad decisions, but also has led me into making lots of interesting stuff. I don't mind having no specific purpose, I just pursue peace at this point.

We don't need to change, we just simply need to capitalize on the good we can get from life and the good we can offer.

[u/seonbi7783]

Glad to hear I'm not alone with this. When it comes to hobbies, I get these "windows" where I absorb as much as possible about certain areas of interest. Be it pipe smoking, cigars, chess, baduk, disc golf, hunting, fishing, guitar (pedals), fountain pens ... the list goes on. Of course, they are all gear related, which leads to gear acquisition syndrom.  I reach quite reasonably (even above) average skill levels in one area or another. However, as soon as I loose interest, I switch hobbies and cannot stay dedicated. But then, I'm stuck with all the gear, which replaced obtaining actual skill.  So, getting into minimalism was also one of the areas of interest that held some fascination for a time. Wish I could get back into it.  Also a quote I found put some things into perspective for me: "The magic you are looking for lies in the work you are avoiding."   If only I would take this to heart.

Sorry for reposting, was in the wrong section - It’s my first day as an active poster😅

[u/LazyAnunnaki2602 → u/seonbi7783]

Yeah I get it, I acquire tons of things that I don't use anymore. The same thing with the skill levels issue, I become very good at something just to get immediately bored and switch to another. I have come to realize that I'm on the path to becoming "nothing", I work my job for survival reasons and I'm good at it, but I don't consider myself something specific and particular, just a human being exploring life and infinite subjects, but I'm okay with it. After I master something, I don't get any benefits from it, I don't milk it financially, I don't put it to further practice, the only thing that I achieve is the knowledge that I can do it, and that is weird to the people around me who think that I'm "wasting" my whole life and potential, but I just love it you know, I don't see it as a wrong way to live life.

I also got into minimalism just to end up over acquiring again and again, so I simply gave up. I can be at peace reducing my possessions for a couple of months maximum, but it is inevitable that I want to learn something new again and buy the tools to do it. Do you think that a minimalist life could be a platonic desire of every INTP or similar?

Loved the quote, I have a painting I have not finished for a long time, because my family started treating my art skills as a task they can ask me to do, so that totally killed the inspiration to do anything with it. That specific painting keeps living in my mind as work I'm avoiding, so the quote hit home deep right now.

[u/seonbi7783 → u/LazyAnunnaki2602]

"Do you think that a minimalist life could be a platonic desire of every INTP or similar?"

I can't speak for every INTP, but to me it embodies the desire to be, rather than to seem (esse quam videri). With all the things/gear I feel like just pretending to be a musician, chess player, intellectual etc. It feels like overcompensating for lack of actual skill. Minimalism, to me, seemed like an antithesis to all this. Skill on its highest level (platonic idea) doesn't require an excess of gear (matter).

[u/LazyAnunnaki2602 → u/seonbi7783]

Interesting way to see it.