Inspiring Activities for Your Myers-Briggs® Personality Type

Over the last two years, it feels like the world is being hurled between one disaster and another. Stress levels are high and many of us want to make a difference and improve the world. But in order to do that, we sometimes need a burst of inspiration and mental clarity to get us started on the right path. That’s why I felt like this article was relevant and needed right now. I hope that you’ll find an idea in here for getting inspired, no matter what your personality type is!

Not sure what your personality type is? Take our new personality questionnaire here. Or you can take the official MBTI® here.

Estimated reading time: 14 minutes

The ENFP – Revive an Old Area of Your Room or Home

As an ENFP you’re inspired by new possibilities and ideas. Too much “sameness” can make you feel stifled and anxious. To recharge, take some time to make a certain part of your home more “you.” Rearrange the furniture, paint a wall, add some framed inspirational quotes or a vision board. Make this area relaxing, calming, but also individualized to your specific preferences. If you’re on a budget, simply print out some quotes or photos from home or create some of your own art with natural items!

Read This Next: The ENFP Learning Style

The ENTP – Spend 5 Minutes a Day Learning a New Language

As an ENTP you’re someone who thrives when your options are open. Keeping your mind active and learning new things is one way to maintain your enthusiasm for life. Spend just 5 minutes each day learning some basic phrases in a new language- you’ll be surprised at how much you can learn in a short amount of time. To make it even more exciting, look online for travel ideas to the locale where the language you’re studying is spoken!

Read This Next: 10 Must-Read Books for ENTPs

The INFP – Go Somewhere New

As an INFP you enjoy the comfort of home and the sense of peace that being alone can bring. But when you stay inside for too long around the same creature comforts day after day you can start to feel stifled. To revive yourself, go out and explore a new place- whether it’s a different part of town, a new hiking trail, or a coffee shop or bookstore. Allow yourself to be open to the new experiences and sensations that come with being in an unfamiliar environment. You may develop new ideas and remarkable possibilities as a result!

Read This Next: Dealing with Emotional Overwhelm as an INFP

The INTP – Experiment with Photography

As an INTP, you love to experiment with the ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary. Photography can be an excellent way to do this. Challenge yourself to take several creative picture each day. It can be as simple as taking ten unique or abstract photographs of one small object. Or it could be as complex as going somewhere beautiful and taking a photo every twelve steps you take. Coming up with photo challenges for yourself can add a sense of fun and excitement back into your life when you need it most!

Read This Next: The Childhood Struggles of INTPs

The ENFJ – Look at Art and Decipher What it Means

As an ENFJ, you have a rich inner life and a profound sense of insight. But sometimes you can feel pulled away from the inner world because of your tendency to take on so many responsibilities and social obligations. To recharge, spend some time looking at pieces of art and deciphering what they mean to you on a personal level. What feelings do they evoke? What memories do they remind you of? What possibilities do they inspire within you? Allow yourself to be open to the different interpretations that art can offer and see where they lead you.

The ENTJ – Play a Musical Instrument

As an ENTJ, you hate spending time on things that seem wasteful or trivial. Intellectually ambitious, you enjoy advancing your skills and learning new concepts, theories, and ways of thinking. Playing a musical instrument (or writing music yourself) can be a great way to do this. Choose an instrument that is challenging- something you don’t already know how to play. You could also try playing a piece of music that’s more challenging than the last piece you mastered. Dedicate time each day to practicing this. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you progress and you may even achieve a flow state!

The INFJ – Take a Nature Walk

As an INFJ, you appreciate beauty in all forms. You get a sense of tranquility and joy when you can be in quiet, peaceful surroundings. Taking a nature walk is the perfect way to amp up the beauty in your life and experience a sense of awe and wonder.

The health and emotional benefits of being in nature are powerful. According to Yes Magazine, “In adults, studies show that being in nature will speed the health recovery process, reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of cancer as well as lift people’s spirits.” If you’ve ever needed a good excuse to get outside, you have it right there!

Find a quiet spot in nature where you can relax and take in your surroundings. Listen to the sounds of the birds, the wind, and the water. Feel the sun on your skin and the earth under your feet. Let yourself be at peace and open to all that nature has to offer.

Read This Next: 3 Weird and Wonderful Secrets About the INFJ Personality Type

The INTJ – Create a Symbolic Picture

As an INTJ, you are constantly looking for ways to grow, improve, and optimize your life. You like to explore new ideas and find creative solutions to problems. When you’re feeling stuck, one way to get unstuck is to create a symbolic piece of art.

This can be done with any type of medium- from traditional paints and canvas to digital art or even something as simple as a doodle on a piece of paper. The key is to be creative and expressive with it. What does the picture represent to you? What is the story behind it? What emotions does it evoke in you? Let yourself go wild with this and see where it takes you.

Read This Next: The Childhood Struggles of INTJs

The ESFP – Go on a Spontaneous Adventure

As an ESFP, you are all about experiencing life to the fullest. You crave newness, excitement, and adventure. When you’re feeling down, one of the best ways to pick yourself up is to go on an adventure- even if it’s just a small one.

Visit a place you’ve never been before. Go to an exotic restaurant with a cuisine you’ve never tried before. Go on a road trip with friends. Do something that gets your heart pumping and your adrenaline flowing. Let yourself be spontaneous and go with the flow. You may be surprised at how much fun you have and how quickly your mood improves.

The ESTP – Give Yourself an Adrenaline Rush

As an ESTP, you enjoy physical challenges and pushing yourself to your limits. You like to feel the thrill of improvising on the spot or challenging yourself physically. Whether you’re experimenting with improv comedy, speeding down a trail on a mountain bike, or mastering a martial arts skill, give yourself an adrenaline rush that will get your heart pumping.

When you’re feeling down, this can be a great way to snap out of it and feel more alive. Adrenaline rushes release endorphins which make you feel good- kind of like a natural high. So go out and do something that scares you a little (or a lot!) and see how it makes you feel.

Read This Next: The Top 7 Gift Ideas for ESTPs

The ISFP – Paint to Music

As an ISFP, you are highly creative and expressive. You enjoy finding new ways to express yourself and your unique perspective on the world. When you’re feeling down, one way to lift your spirits is to paint to music.

Pairing music with painting can be a very powerful experience. The right combination of music and colors can transport you to another place entirely. It can also help you to tap into your emotions and express them in a creative way. So put on your favorite tunes and let yourself go wild with the paintbrush.

Read This Next: 24 Signs That You’re an ISFP, the Virtuoso Personality Type

The ISTP – Create Something Delicious

As an ISTP, you love experimenting with the world of the senses. While many people relegate your talents to the world of tools and technology, you can also have a very refined palate. When you’re feeling down, one way to pick yourself up is to create something delicious.

You could experiment with an exotic meal from another country, a creative cocktail, or simply bake some melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookies. The key is to let your imagination run wild and experiment with new flavors and combinations (for example, I believe you should always triple the amount of vanilla in a chocolate chip cookie, but that’s for you to decide). You may be surprised at how therapeutic it can be to cook or bake something delicious. For even more fun, turn on an energizing playlist or a fascinating audiobook while you cook!

The ESFJ – Create Food Packs for the Homeless

As an ESFJ, you are a natural giver. You derive tremendous joy from making other people happy and taking care of their needs. When you’re feeling down, one way to quickly improve your mood is to do something kind and beneficial for someone else.

One of the best ways to do this is to create food packs for the homeless. This is a simple and easy way to help people who are in need, and it only takes a little bit of your time. So gather up some Ziploc bags, fill them with some non-perishable foods, disposable toothbrushes, toothpaste, and some fuzzy socks and have them on hand to give to people in need when you see them.

The ESTJ – Volunteer

As an ESTJ, you are very civic-minded and you believe strongly in giving back to your community. When you’re feeling down, one of the best ways to improve your mood is to volunteer for a cause that matters to you. This could be anything from working at a soup kitchen or a food bank, to collecting donations for a local shelter, to cleaning up a park or nature reserve.

Volunteering is a great way to connect with other people who share your values, and it’s a wonderful way to make a difference in your community. It can also be very rewarding to see the direct impact of your work on the lives of others. So find an organization that you care about and volunteer your time and energy to helping them out. You’ll be glad you did!

The ISFJ – Make Something Grow

As an ISFJ, you enjoy quiet activities that put you in touch with the natural world. You enjoy making a difference, healing, and seeing a positive impact by your actions. When you’re feeling down, one of the best ways to improve your mood is to do something that makes you feel connected to nature while tapping into your nurturing side.

One of the best ways to do this is to make something grow. This could be a tomato plant, some flowers, or even a small herb garden on your windowsill. Seeing things grow and thrive under your care can be very satisfying and make you feel good about yourself. It’s also a great way to get outside and enjoy some fresh air if you’re feeling cooped up.

Read This Next: 7 Reasons Why You Need an ISFJ Friend in Your Life

The ISTJ – Wander a Library

As an ISTJ, you love knowledge and you appreciate having a wealth of information at your fingertips. While the internet can be an excellent source of data, it can’t compete with the feeling of being surrounded by physical books. Plus this gives you a chance to get a break from media overload and the constant distractions that pop up on your phone.

Libraries are a treasure trove of information, and they offer a quiet, calming atmosphere in which to explore it. So if you’re looking for a way to relax and get inspired, wander a library and lose yourself in its many wonders. You won’t regret it!

Read This Next: 7 Things ISTJs Experience in Childhood

What Are Your Thoughts?

Do you have any other ideas for calming activities that would work well for each personality type? Let us know in the comments!

Discover more about your personality type in our eBooks, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type,  The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic, The INTJ – Understanding the Strategist, and The INFP – Understanding the Dreamer. You can also connect with me via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!