Personality Types: Why I am the way I am
I’ve always been drawn to the idea that who we are shapes how we create. That our motivations, fears, and quirks steer our stories, sometimes without us even noticing.
Recently, I retook two personality tests I’d done years ago: the Enneagram and Myers-Briggs (MBTI). This time, I didn’t just skim the results and shrug. I actually paid attention. And wow, did it make a few things click into place, both in my personal & professional life and in the way I write.
The Results
MBTI: INFJ – The Advocate
Often called “the rarest type,” INFJs are intuitive, emotionally deep, and meaning-driven. They tend to live inside their own heads (guilty), need time alone to recharge (yep), and find joy in crafting connections and stories that feel authentic.
Enneagram: Type 9 (Wing 4) – The Peacemaker with a Twist
At first, I wanted to be a 4 (The Individualist). It sounded more “writerly”—emotional depth, creative longing, a flair for the dramatic. But the more I read, the more I saw myself in Type 9.
Type 9s crave peace, avoid conflict, and often forget or delay their own priorities in order to support others. Add a 4 wing and you get quiet creativity, a deep sensitivity to beauty and emotion, and a tendency to get very in your head when things feel overwhelming.
So yeah... it’s me.
How This Affects My Writing Life
I avoid tension… on the page and off it.
Which is ironic, since stories need conflict. I have to consciously let my characters fight, stumble, and say the hard thing, even when I’d rather have them all hug and go home.I write slowly, but emotionally.
As a 9w4 INFJ, I’m not here for flashy plot points or big twists just for the sake of it. I want truth. I want characters to break and heal and find their way, even in the little moments.I empathize with everyone, even my antagonists.
Sometimes it’s hard to write a true villain, because I’m too busy imagining their trauma arc. That makes moral tension tricky, but layered. There are rarely true "bad guys" in my stories, just people who are hurting in different ways.I emotionally merge with my characters.
Writing isn’t just storytelling for me… it’s soul-mirroring. I have to be careful not to lose myself in their grief, or their growth, or their stuckness. (Looking at you, Paige.)
Want to Know Your Own Type?
These are great places to start:
Just a heads-up: these tests are a starting point, not a box. Read about the types, especially the motivations and fears, to see what hits hardest. Sometimes the type that makes you go, “Oof, rude” is the right one.
Also on the Photography Side...
If you happen to follow both my blogs, you might enjoy the version of this post I shared over on Artsmith Photography, where I talk about how personality typing influences the way I pose, connect with, and photograph couples and families. You can find that post here, especially if you're into how art and personality overlap across creative fields.
What’s Your Type?
If you’ve taken either test—or are about to—I’d genuinely love to know what you got. Comment below or send me a message. I’m always fascinated by how who we are shapes what we create, and I think there’s something powerful about naming the things that drive us behind the scenes.
“Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart.”
