Extroversion and living it large

Have you ever done one of those Myers Briggs psychometric tests? Many moons ago and on a different life trajectory, such things were important. I'm an ENTJ, the E bit of which stands for extraversion, which is not so much about being a larger than life, soul of the party type, but more about the fact that I gain energy from interraction with people. 

New faces, new places, different things - they are what I find stimulating. Which is something that easily gets forgotten in my life as it is now. But over the weekend, I snuck off to an open garden event close to me and as I walked through a new space, a little bit of excitement snuck up on me.

Part of it was daydreaming about what I'd do if I owned the Manor House - more produce in the walled garden, move the pink rose out of the sunken area where everything else was blue and hazy.

A proper cutting garden, prairie planting, making more of the house's architecture. There was even a perfect annexe with a glass walled section (I felt a craft barn retreat centre coming on).

And then I stopped to laugh at myself. Looking at the bigger picture, spotting what could be improved, making plans - that's how I used to make my living. I loved it. I was good at it. But it doesn't really sit too well with happy domesticity and it's slower pace, routine and incremental change.

The optimist in me knows there must be a way of combining the two. Perhaps Hubby is right after all - we need a project. He wants a cowshed with no roof and five acres.....

 

 

Comments

[dottycookie]

And where will you sleep while he's camping in his open roofed cowshed?

I have done the Briggs Myers thing, and also had to have Belbin analysis done for work once - I usually end up as INFJ or INFP which ties in well with the Belbin analysis; that ended up suggesting I was better fitted to teaching or nursing than the management role I was in ;-) I should add I quit shortly afterwards and now spend half my life helping at the village school!

[trash]

That picture looks like your boy has antlers!

[Anne@GtSlamseysFarm]

Some need dreams, some need projects. Some are lucky and combine the two.

[Sue]

It seems I have the perfect job for my ISTJ personality. Being a housewife allows me plenty of time alone, provides lots of practical tasks and I work for an organisation to which I am intensely committed. I have surely made the right career choice.

[Jane]

I'm sure I'm totally unsuitable for the job I'm doing at present, but no-one else is volunteering, sigh!

[Rebecca]

Oh Ali, the possibilities are out there, a project to get your teeth into sounds perfect, the opportunity to dream and realise.

[Amanda]

I'm an INTJ, which makes me happy being a housewifey solitary sort, but with the planning, project-loving aspects as well. I would class looking at stately homes for sale and planning what I would do with them as one of my hobbies; I would love a cowshed and five acres too!

[frances]

I'm an INFJ myself, which means I get energized by being alone. I have spent a lot of social time lately, and I love it, but I'm totally exhausted!

Your garden pix are gorgeous. You've done a good job of making me want to get out in the world to do some exploring. That's why us introverts need extroverts like you!

xofrances

[Julie]

A five-acred, unroofed cowshed sounds a bit extreme but I hope there's a way for you to find the perfect project to fire up that excitement again.

[Thomasina Tittlemouse]

Having "projects" on the go is as far as I am concerned a survival mechanism. With one (or two, or more!) I'm ok to keep going at the less inspiring bits of life. Without anything, I stall! So all grist to your mill, Ali, in finding the right thing whether that's the cow shed and 5 acres or something on a smaller scale. For what it's worth, I've found having several smaller scale projects can help things along while waiting for the right bigger one. My mother gave me a wonderful piece of advice when I was wondering about how I would get back to teaching after being out of it while my son was tiny and all the part time jobs that seemed to be on offer were incompatible with being there at the beginning and end of the day for my 3 year old. She said "when the right door opens, you'll know and find yourself able to walk through it." I took her at her word and resolved to go through doors that opened that were feasible and, as you know, that took me in a surprising direction I never dreamed of at the time! Happy Hunting! Elizabeth x

[Catherine]

ENFJ - I think that fits a lawyer. Lovely photographs

[Helen]

From an INFP...when I told a colleague that I was an 'introvert' she looked at me and said YOU! (I'm rather outspoken in meetings if I feel something needs to be said.) I tried to explain it was not a case of being able to speak to a group or not but where you get your energy...unlike you I need to retreat into myself when things get rather overwhelming. Projects are good...I have lots of projects! Some get done.

[Magic Bean]

Am off to test my personality in a mo. My Mr is also after a cowshed with no roof and five acres... hope we don't find the same one! Ax

[Monica]

I think that sounds like a grand plan... may I suggest looking over 'this' way a bit?

(I dragged Mr M to see a 'project' the other week... he's still running in the opposite direction. Sigh.)

[The Coffee Lady]

I hate those tests. I don't recognise myself in any of the questions. And then I worry that I am bland and dithery.

[Readersguide]

Five acres and a cowshed! Sounds great!