I sat down Tuesday to take the Jung Typology Test. It is pretty comical that I was awarded this post because for as long as I can remember I have LOVED taking quizzes! I would ask for quiz books for my birthday and then invite friends over and get to know them through how many C's they answered yes to.'
I remember taking this quiz in high school, a time when I was still getting comfortable in my own skin, and at the time I completely resonated with some of the results.. but other areas I thought, "this is so not me!" Little did I know that 6 years later I would again take this test and come to find that those once misplaced & misunderstood descriptions of me were actually quite true. In high school I was an "in-progress" ESFJ, and now 6 years later at almost 25, I am officially an ESFJ.
Extravert....Sensing...Feeling..Judging.
With a smile and a nod of confidence I read my results page. The VeRy first words under the category YOU: "Self Awareness & Personal Growth" it states;
"Guardians of birthdays, holidays and celebrations, ESFJs are generous entertainers." {giggles} I already knew this about myself but reading it comes to me like a pat on the back or tight squeeze...
I not only LOVE to make my nearest and dearest feel super special on their birthday, but I too LOOOoOoOve to feel special by my closest on my birthday<---true confession.
And don't even get me started on holidays! In my mind Christmas might be ruined if we don't bundle up in the car on a snowy eve, warm hot cocoa or coffee in hand, and drive around admiring all the beautiful Christmas lights. And if I wake up in the morning and everyone is already awake and downstairs my inner child will weep & weep because I wasn't the one to jump in everyone's bed and wake them up, walk them downstairs hand-in-hand and see what awaits us around the Christmas tree. I like what I like. I like to make every celebration THE event!
"All else being equal, ESFJs enjoy being in charge. They see problems clearly and delegate easily, work hard and play with zest. They willingly provide service (which embodies life's meaning) and expect the same from others..ESFJs are easily wounded, and when wounded their emotions will not be contained; they by nature 'wear their hearts on their sleeves." This paragraph I know all too well. I could go on and on but to keep it to my first reactions here you are: The first sentence in this paragraph really speaks to me as my role as a wife. I am happy to submit to my husband as the head of our home but it gets sticky when, as stated, I like being in charge. It's not that I don't trust Mitch or find him 100% capable, in fact I wish in some ways I wasn't this way because I want him to take charge always. Every time.. I just usually seem to have the "right way" in my mind. Mitch here I am declaring- I will work on giving up this twisted obsession to be in charge!
The third/fourth sentences speak a lot to the way I am in friendships/relationships. I will give 110% in relationships and love each person so intentionally and so deeply; but I MUST realize that not everyone is me. Not everyone loves the way I do, and not everyone thinks about relationships in the same way I do. Not that I'm right and they're wrong or vice versa, we're just different. I need to not expect so much... but it's so hard.
Now, as for possible careers paths for us ESFJs, it seems we enjoy high involvements of interaction with others. Currently I am a nanny=high involvement of interaction, go figure.. I was surprised though to see that health care professions are a top choice for ESFJs. I don't think I could handle all the poking and prodding and blood. But I could handle the loving on people.
Although, I am happy to announce that a possible career for me to get into and find success is..... Fashion Merchandising!! HA! Thank the Lord I won't be wasting my degree! I was the college student that knew, since forever, that I wanted to be involved in the "fashion world" somehow on some level and I didn't stray to another major once. I am still trying to figure out my niche in this industry but I have a good idea I'm getting very close.
If when reading this you thought, this sounds a lot like; Martin Luther King, Eleanor Roosevelt, Desi Arnaz, Rachel McAdams, or Monica from Friends, you would be right! These, along with a few more, are my fellow ESFJs... I am now totally curious to see what my husband and girls are!!
To get to know ESFJs better or if you are a fellow ESFJ check out the links below:
<3 Gabrielle
