Ok so I’m an ENTJ stuck in a “loop” by your definition in one of the posts and I’m not sure how to get out of it? I am recently recovering from depression and have been trying to get back to the way I used to think, or the purpose I used to have, but it’s hard to figure it out. I was also in this position in the first place because I was stuck under an abusive, inescapable situation and bc of Corona I am back there so it’s hard to stop feeling like life and pursuits are pointless. What can I do?
I am so sorry that you are stuck in a negative, abusive situation. It’s easy to become depressed when there is ‘no hope’ and you feel ‘trapped.’ But… believe it or not, the world will go back to normal, you will go back to your life, and your life will get back on track. Hopefully sooner rather than later. All this is, is a ‘pause’ and a time you can use to firm up what you want to pursue in the future.
For you, I recommend getting back in touch with Ni through spending some time alone each day, visualizing and thinking about a positive future for yourself, and the desired outcome you want from this situation. Ponder what you have learned or can learn from it, and who you want to be on the other side of the quarantine. Though this time is hard, it’s also an excellent excuse for self-evaluation, self-examination, and self-growth, because being isolated from the busyness of life gives us no excuse to avoid ourselves. It’s your chance to think about your relationships and whether they are what you want; whether your job fulfills you and provides for you (and if you lose it, what job would you like to try for next that might be more fulfilling?); and what you want out of life. It can also teach you who you are, and what you ‘need’ for yourself… and from others.
NJs need to feel like they are on track or they get disheartened. You can’t let this ‘speed bump’ and proverbial flat tire rob you of planning your future; tell yourself it is not futile, this is temporary (you are falling into low Se and not ‘enjoying the moment’ like a stronger Se user might by finding concrete tasks to do, but wallowing in “this will never end; it is doomed to stay this way forever”). Think about and meditate on N things – what you want, what this means to you. Sit down and think until your Ni does what it does best, and ‘sees this’ from a different angle. This is not a setback, it is an opportunity. This is not the end of your dream(s), it’s a chance to refine and perfect it/them.
Use this time in productive ways to improve yourself and ready yourself for whatever comes next – from returning to work to finding a job, to getting involved with someone. Use your Te effectively to ‘act’ and ‘learn’ and make plans for you to carry out in real life, once the quarantine lifts. Because it will.
Your life is not over. One day, this will be a rough patch in the distant past. Look at the big picture, don’t get stuck in ‘right now.’
- ENFP Mod
I am literally this right now
