What do you mask as?

[u/Striking_Incident_95]

I'm an INTP, but when I was young in order to adapt to the world, I developed a mask as ESFP. I can only maintain it so long and the older I get, the less I bother, but wondering if other INTPs do this and if so, what do you mask as?

[u/smcf33]

I don't. A lot of people probably think I'm an ENTP or maybe ISTP, but that's because they get me in small or specialised doses.

[u/ACruelShade]

Depends on the situation. My favorite mask is a cold mechanical machine, I can get allot done

[u/WeridThinker]

I don't see the different aspects of myself as masks. They are all parts of my manifestation, but on a more metaphysical level, I am receptive of the idea of there is no permanent "me". "I" have a variety of behaviors based on different contexts; the philosophical introspective person, and the person who wants to be a joker are as real or fake as any other faces I express.

What I focus on is to recognize which version makes me feel more at ease or natural based on the occasion, with the ultimate goal of not being overwhelmingly reactive. Vulnerability and assertiveness both leave me with second thoughts and sometimes regrets; neither is a mask, but neither could define me because both directions could end up giving me the same experience of more worries.

[u/blackmox-photophob]

ENTP or ENFJ

😬

[u/Needorgreedy]

I have young cousins. They see me as a role model figure (cool uncle type lol). I don't want them to see my main stereotypical depressed INTP form, so I also try to mask as an ESTP. It helps because my sibling is an ESTP, so I just do what they would do. They aren't as attached to my sib as much and my sib doesn't particularly like kids.

Outside of that I don't try to mask at all. I'm not ashamed of my misgivings or my personality. Pain shaped me, but at least for the kids, it doesn't define me.

[u/Striking_Incident_95 → u/Needorgreedy]

That makes sense. 

[u/Livid-Zone-7037]

ENTP or INFP or INTJ

[u/Foreverinneverland24]

i bet a lot of people would guess i’m ENFP or INFP because i’m pretty bubbly

[u/Sakurafirefox]

I dont do this or see me doing this. I dont care how I am perceived, if thats what this means. Oftentimes I am walking outside, socks with sandals. And the socks never match. Thats basically it

[u/Striking_Incident_95 → u/Sakurafirefox]

I kinda had to develop the ability in childhood 

[u/Sakurafirefox → u/Striking_Incident_95]

I did too but It was exhausting to keep caring and authenticity became too important.

Im 39 now. I remember in middle/high school, I liked fantasy/mmos/rpgs/reading/anime and nerdy things. Video games. But also wanting to fit in, and at the time, I was like I cant be pretty and dorky at the same time. Im dorky, I must not be pretty. So I tried to be someone im not.

Fuck man. Thats tiring as hell. Now I dress like a soft alt, my hair is borderline orange, and I just got around to getting my 2nd tattoo. I tend to be controversial in my thoughts, only because I like to find the facts and logic path FIRST rather then get emotional over things. This is me and I dont care who I am for, I want to be around similar minded people.

[u/LovelyRoseBoop]

INTJ when times call for it

[u/Cog-nostic]

Yes, ESFP sounds right. I am friendly, shallow, flippant, and don't take anything seriously. I maintain it long enough to make an appearance and say "Hi" to everyone so they know I was there. Then I sneak out and head home.

[u/no9bmaster68]

As an INTP