A Survival Guide for INFPs Trapped in Meaningless Jobs

The desire for meaning in everything they do, including work, runs deep in the veins of INFPs. These vibrantly passionate personalities are deeply dissatisfied when working for financial incentives alone, no matter how lucrative they may be. Unlike many other types, who can endure working at a mundane, uninspiring job as long as their bank accounts keep growing, INFPs can’t be swayed by money. They want their work to be a reflection of their values, a canvas for self-expression, or a means to contribute to the greater good.

When INFPs find themselves tethered to a job that lacks deeper meaning and fulfillment, they could end up feeling like they are not living up to their potential, or worse—wasting themselves. 

Yet, everyone has practical needs. The aspiration to make a living doing what they love doesn’t always translate into reality for INFPs, and sometimes they have to endure a soulsucking job to put food on the table.

So, let's talk about how INFPs can survive when trapped in meaningless and unfulfilling jobs.

Harness your hobbies to start a fulfilling side hustle

INFPs tend to be drawn to artistic and creative pursuits, like writing, drawing and designing, and they often have many hobbies that align with these hobbies. They particularly like doing things that allow them to both express themselves and produce something tangible, such as sculpting, making jewelry and photography. 

If you're an INFP feeling stuck in a job that lacks meaning, why not explore the possibility of turning one of your hobbies into a side hustle that generates income? Ask yourself: which of your hobbies are you most passionate about and where you have the greatest skill or potential? For example, if you love taking pictures, you could embark on the journey of becoming a freelance photographer. If you are into arts and crafts, you could sell your artwork or custom designs on platforms like Etsy. Or if your heart lies in the culinary arts, why not start your own cooking YouTube channel and share your passion with a wider audience? 

Turning your hobbies into an income-generating gig might require some upskilling, but it will be well worth it. It could potentially pave the way to a career as a full-time freelancer, content creator, or even the founder of your own business! 

Find meaning through volunteering

INFPs sincerely want to help others and contribute to the common good. They are one of the most altruistic Myer and Briggs types and derive genuine satisfaction from knowing they've made a positive difference in someone's life. 

Because their dominant function is Fi (Introverted Feeling), they have a deep sensitivity for both their own and other people’s feelings. As a result, they are keenly attuned to suffering, and are genuinely motivated to alleviate it. They are especially compelled to help those who can’t help themselves, such as animals, children and people in poverty. Furthermore, INFPs have a strong moral compass, and are willing to take action to help others who are facing injustice or hardship. All of these things speak to the Fi function, which is why INFPs find them deeply fulfilling.

If you're feeling unfulfilled in your current job, volunteering can provide a meaningful avenue to find purpose. For example, you could devote your weekends to volunteering for a nonprofit organization whose cause you believe in. Over time, this experience might evolve into a fulfilling career. You will develop skills and build connections that could open doors you might not have imagined, and you could harness those to apply for opportunities in charities and nonprofit organizations, where your innate desire to help and contribute can be channeled effectively.

Plan for a career pivot

Sometimes, it's necessary to make a more significant change in your professional life to find the meaning you crave. So, you might want to consider a career pivot. While it’s not easy to switch careers, especially if you’ve been in your line of work for a long time, it can be your ticket to having a fulfilling career.

Start by researching the field you are interested in, with an emphasis on entry roles. As an INFP, you might want to explore careers that involve either helping others, such as counseling and social work, or creative self-expression, such as interior design and event planning.

Then, think about how you could break into the new field. Take a close look at your current job and take stock of the skills you’ve picked up that could transfer over. These could include problem-solving, teamwork, and project management. These could already be enough to apply for entry roles in your chosen field. 

Some careers also offer the option to earn qualifications online, which you can easily do alongside your day job. For example, if you're interested in becoming a nutrition coach or a therapist, there are plenty of online certification programs you can dive into while planning your escape.

Take a career aptitude test as a good place to start. This will help you figure out your strengths and motivations, and show exact careers that suit your individual work style.

Final words

INFPs are fueled by a strong desire to do work that speaks to their souls. On the other hand, working at a job that’s empty and uninspiring, even if it’s well-paid, can feel very demoralizing to the INFP. If that sounds like your situation, don’t despair because there are ways to turn things around! 

The key is to seek ways to find meaning in your work based on your personality’s natural drives. For INFPs, they are self-expression and a desire to help others. Starting a passion project is one potential avenue, if you have a creative hobby that you could leverage to generate income. Volunteering for a cause you care about is another option that might eventually lead to a fulfilling job. And if you're feeling extra bold, you could even take a leap into a whole different career. Whatever you choose to do, you, as an INFP, have got what it takes to get out of the trap of a soul-crushing job!