How Guarded Each Myers-Briggs Type Is

Many people find themselves afraid to open up to others for fear of being hurt. Being guarded is sometimes a learned behavior, but in many cases it is a natural personality instinct. Here is how guarded you are, based on your Myers-Briggs type.

INFJ

INFJs are often seen as extremely guarded, often putting up many walls to protect against others. They are known to have many layers, ones that may take a long time to peel back. In some cases though, the INFJ will meet someone that they deem as very special. That person will be capable of getting through to the INFJ must faster than others, this is only because they trust that person intensely. INFJs are often fearful that people will judge them or hurt them, so they are often rather guarded. They do open up to people though, when they see something special that forces them to do so.

ENFJ

ENFJs can be seen as rather open, but that is only because they are social individuals. They often keep certain parts of themselves hidden from others, and only share them with special people. ENFJs enjoy chatting and being around loved ones, which often leads them to be more open than they might like. They do however, keep certain things very privately locked away. They will only open up completely to a select few people that they deem completely worthy. They care very much about others and may struggle with certain boundaries, but they are often more guarded than they appear.

INFP

INFPs may appear shy and reclusive, but they aren’t usually the most guarded people. They keep things to themselves often, but will share with people who show interest enough to ask. INFPs are honest individuals, which often makes them more open than they would like to be. They are often fearful of getting hurt by others, but they do enjoy sharing things with people. They are always hopeful that they can find someone who will enjoy diving into the depths of their mind with them. They may not open up immediately, but within time they will be extremely sincere and expressive individuals.

ENFP

ENFPs are rarely guarded and may even feel like they are too open with people. They often have a natural openness about their emotions, which is quite endearing. ENFPs will often openly express their feelings about someone, since they would prefer to be honest rather than hide things. ENFPs would much prefer get their feelings hurt, than to regret something that they held back. They are extremely exciting and fun individuals, who simply enjoy soaking up everything they can in life. To an ENFP, being guarded with their heart would only hold them back from fully diving into life.

INTP

INTPs are even very guarded individuals, especially as far as emotions go. They are often prepared for the worst to happen, which causes them to keep many things inside. It often takes a lot of proving yourself for an INTP to completely trust you. This doesn’t mean they aren’t caring individuals, in fact they are often keeping a depth of emotion inside of them. INTPs have a way of learning from their past, which might make them nervous to completely open themselves up to others. They will often keep things to themselves until they have had enough time to gauge their audience.

ENTP

ENTPs are not extremely guarded individuals, since they often do not care about the reaction of other people. The ENTP will express themselves if they feel so inclined and will not decide this based on others. They may not be entirely open about certain feelings that they have, unless they are sure they can trust someone. ENTPs will often make quick judgments about people though and will have a fast idea if they can rely on someone or not. When they have found people that they trust completely the ENTP won’t be afraid to share personal things with them. They may open their mouths too much, but they can always find a way to get themselves out of trouble.

INTJ

INTJs are extremely internal people, which can make them appear more guarded. They simply do not feel the desire to open themselves up to most people, and are often fulfilled within themselves. It might take a long time for someone to completely prove themselves to an INTJ, but once they do they will feel free to open up to them. They will often become frustrated with people who attempt to force openness out of the INTJ, they prefer to do this on their own terms. They aren’t necessarily guarded out of fear, so much as they simply don’t see the need in opening up to everyone they meet.

ENTJ

ENTJs are often rather guarded individuals, as far as their internal emotions and desires go. They are often searching for loyal individuals, ones that they feel can be trusted with their secrets. If an ENTJ feels like they have found someone who will not judge or harm them in any way, then they will certainly feel comfortable opening up to them. They are often great judges of character, which makes them feel confident in who they can and cannot trust. ENTJs are simply guarded because they have often seen first hand how unfaithful people can be.

ISTJ

ISTJs can actually be more guarded than they appear to others. They are extremely internal people, which means they prefer to keep most of their thoughts and desires to themselves. ISTJs are great at being appropriate and social, which often makes them appear more open than they actually are. The often prefer to keep things to themselves and will only share personal things to very special people. The people closest to them will often be able to understand the internal thoughts of an ISTJ, but that is often only one lucky person. ISTJs are rather caring people, but they aren’t the most open individuals.

ESTJ

ESTJs are very social and chatty people, which can often make them seem very open. They don’t mind talking about their personal wants and actions for hours, but will often keep their emotions to themselves. When it comes to practical things, ESTJs will often share this information with anyone willing to listen. As far as their deeper emotions go, ESTJs are extremely guarded and may fear sharing these things with others. ESTJs simply do not want people to judge them or be harsh about their feelings, so they often prefer to keep these things to themselves.

ISFJ

ISFJs are rather private people, which might make them appear very guarded. They will often share things with their loved ones, but prefer to maintain a more confident image to outsiders. ISFJs will often keep to themselves, and would prefer to spend time with their loved ones and family. ISFJs often do not want to burden people with their emotions, which can make them rather guarded about how they are feeling. More than anything the ISFJ wants to tend to the needs of their loved ones, which might make them appear guarded in order to get this done.

ESFJ

ESFJs are extremely giving individuals, they are extroverted which might make them appear more open than they actually are. The things ESFJs often share with people, are not actually the deepest parts of themselves. They are great at being social and allowing people to see just enough in order to feel close to the ESFJ. In truth they have a hard time sharing much of themselves with others, which is often why they prefer to focus on the emotions of others, rather than their own. ESFJs are often more guarded than even they realize, which can result in a challenging path towards self-realization.

ISTP

ISTPs are simply very private individuals, who don’t have a desire to share much of themselves with others. They enjoy spending a lot of their time alone and don’t prefer to be constantly open with others. They often appear to be extremely guarded people, since they might even be standoffish towards others. ISTPs simply enjoy their alone time and do not want to be bothered by most people. With certain special individuals the ISTP will feel comfortable opening up and sharing things with them.

ESTP

ESTPs are rather complicated when it comes to their level of openness. Most of the time they keep themselves guarded from people, and simply enjoy appearing social and fun. When the ESTP trusts someone deeply, they will often share every part of themselves with that person. It takes a lot for an ESTP to trust someone in that way, but once they do it is extremely special to them. They simply do not feel like most people are worthy of this type of trust, but once they do they open up completely.

ISFP

ISFPs are rather private and internal individuals, which often makes them appear guarded. They keep to themselves most of the time and enjoy living in their own little world. They rarely open up to people, since they do not trust them to keep their secrets safe. ISFPs are sensitive and caring people, which means they can get hurt rather easily. Because of this they have learned to guard their hearts and only share them with people who they deem worthy.

ESFP

ESFPs are actually very open individuals, who will often share everything with complete strangers. They enjoy communicating with people and have a natural desire to be sincere. ESFPs are extremely social and fun-loving people, who prefer to be open with others. They will often find themselves completely caught up in the moment, and will even share their personal secrets with people.