Are ENFP Affectionate? (A Complete Guide)

In this guide, we will answer the question: “Are ENFP Affectionate?”.

ENFP is one of the sixteen personality types of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

Are ENFP Affectionate?

Yes, the ENFP person is very affectionate. This is a very evident aspect of their personality.

ENFP essentially translates to Extraversion (E), Intuition (N), Feeling (F), Perception (P). They are generally deeply thoughtful and empathic individuals. They belong to the Intuitive Feeling type. They are attuned to the emotional needs of others. This allows them to be highly receptive to unspoken feelings and emotions in others.

When it comes to expressing their affection, the ENFP person is considered to be highly affectionate. They enjoy the process of showering their significant other with love. In a world that loves in carefully timed texts, and lack of emotional expression; the ENFP person does not veer away from displaying their affection. Their affection is not bound by limits. Of course, this is not limited to their romantic relationships. Their warm, tender and affectionate selves extend their love to people they consider to be close to.

The ENFP person places emphasis on their relationships. They feel energized by social interactions. They are attuned to the needs of people close to them. The world often glorifies the idea of not sharing one’s emotions. However, for the ENFP, emotional expression is very important. They will encourage you to speak your heart out. For many, this can be liberating; to have someone that allows you to express your emotions freely without a speck of judgment. This also leads to emotions being intensified in the presence of the ENFP since they feel deeply. 

The ENFP Partner

Let’s delve into understanding how this affectionate side of the ENFP unravels in their romantic relationships.

What is it like to be in love with an ENFP partner? 

Their affection looms on the lines of a modern-day fairytale romance. There are cute messages, bouquets of roses that surprise you at the office, or open displays of affection, bordering on a Shakespeare-esque tale! The ENFP person displays a sense of devotion to their partners and the relationship. There is a potent concoction of passion and affection. For an ENFP, relationships are a significant aspect of their lives. They will readily put in the effort to nurture it.

The ENFP person seeks novelty and possibilities. They are enamored easily. Many times, an infatuation can translate into an obsession for them. However, this is likely to pale down in the presence of something new. If they find someone more interesting, they may lose their interest and move on it. The ENFP person needs to be wary of this tendency. If their interest weakens in a relationship, they might continue to seek something new and exciting in another person. However, this does not mean the ENFP person is not loyal. This tendency is more commonly seen in an unhealthy/immature ENFP. In fact, a healthy/ mature ENFP can be considered being one of the most faithful in romantic relationships. Once they are truly committed to a person, they are likely to stand by them through every trial and tribulation. 

As mentioned earlier, they are very expressive individuals. They will not veer away from passionately declaring their affection for a person. There is a certain charisma and confidence that follows this personality.

However, when a conflict arises, their behavior is likely to take an u-turn. They may suppress their emotions and evade confronting the situation at hand. They feel the suppression of emotions will help them cope with it. However, these emotions can make a return at some point in the future. Like a glass of water that eventually overflows; the ENFP person’s emotions might be displayed in the form of uncontrollable emotions.

If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.

In terms of criticism, the ENFP tends to take it personally. They find it hard to detach themselves from the statement, even when they know it is constructive criticism. It tends to affect them deeply. Consequently, their self-esteem might plummet as a result of criticism.

Expression of Love

The ENFP person is an extravagant lover. As much as they shower their partners with love, they enjoy being showered with love. They enjoy being serenaded with flowers, cute dates, surprises, and big birthday parties. They may have many ideas that are unusual and creative. When a partner pays attention to this, the ENFP is likely to feel loved. They appreciate it when their partners make an effort to listen to them as a means of understanding them. They enjoy verbal expressions of love and affirmations. A simple word can keep them going the entire day.

The HighsThe ENFP partner is fun. There is rarely going to be a dull moment in your relationship. They will shake things up with their creativity when the relationship seems to be heading down the mundane path. The ENFP person’s receptiveness to other’s emotions allows them to be very sensitive to the needs of their partner. They may frequently keep a check on how the partner is feeling, if their needs are being met or if they would like to talk about something. This outlines their concern for the health of the relationship. They will patiently listen to their partner, offering the required support and encouragement.  Lastly, they are very devoted and committed partners!The LowsThe ENFP person might project their idealism on their partners. This may lead their partners to believe they are not doing enough. For the ENFP, conflict is a dreaded territory. They may tend to sweep issues under the rug. For the sake of maintaining harmony in the relationship, they might often give in or simply patch things up. In the process of doing so, they might neglect their own feelings. In unhealthy/immature ENFPs, there is a likelihood of changing relationships frequently because they are bored or have lost interest.

Reminders for an ENFP, When it Comes to Love 

Criticism is a part of life. Often being criticized even as a means of constructive feedback, can take a toll on the self-esteem of the ENFP. Consequently, they become defensive and lash out at the partner. This puts the relationship in an unpleasant spot. Learning to accept it as a form of feedback will help improve the ENFP improve their relationship.

ENFP idealism is an important aspect of their personality. It allows them to see possibilities in the future. It inspires them to visualize the change. In a relationship, they may project these ideals onto the partner. This might be overbearing for their partner. They might feel they fall short of doing their bit or they are not doing enough. It may lead them to feel unworthy of themselves. Hence, it is important to help their partner by encouraging them rather than being critical.

The ENFP seeks newness and novelty. As a result, their initial excitement tends to die down. It is important to maintain a sense of consistency.  It is important that they manage their emotions and energy in a manner that allows them to follow through with their plans.

What to do when you have an ENFP Partner?

They love big shows of affection. This does not mean the most expensive gift. For the ENFP, the thought behind their partner’s actions is paramount. Thye will truly appreciate your effort to make them feel loved and special.

The ENFP person is spontaneous. They are flexible and tend to change their minds easily. Hence, it is important to learn to enjoy the process and go with the flow. However, remind them that they can’t change their plans instantly every time.

Criticism does not go down too well with the ENFP person. Hence, it is important to communicate feedback or criticism cautiously when you’re dealing with an ENFP. Communicating it in an encouraging tone might work well.

Encouragement!Encouragement!Encouragement! It is important to encourage the ENFP to follow their dreams. Show your support as they try to navigate through the crests and troughs of following their heart. This will go a long way in nurturing your relationship with an ENFP. They might be idealistic in their approach to life. Don’t dismiss it. Help them infuse a sense of objectivity as they tread on the path of their dreams.

 Conclusion

In this blog, we answered the question: Are ENFP Affectionate. Further, we delved into understanding the ENFP personality type in romantic relationships, the strengths, and the challenges of this relationship.

FAQs : Are ENFP Affectionate?

Why are ENFPs so emotional?

The ENFP personality is strongly rooted in emotions and morals. The ENFP person tends to have a complex imagination. They spend a lot of time in their mind, pondering over their thought and values. These values develop over time. When these morals are challenged in a situation, it can be very unsettling to them (personalitygrowth.com).

Who should an ENFP marry?

The INFP personality type’s dominant function is Extraverted Intuition. It is best matched with a partner having a dominant function of Introverted Intuition. Therefore, the ideal match for an ENFP would INTJ or INFJ (personalitypage.com).

How does an ENFP fall in love?

For an ENFP, falling in love is an intense process. They fall hard and fast in love. They tend to hold on to these feelings for a long time (personalitygrowth.com)

What does ENFP hate?

The ENFP person does not like criticism. They perceive it as a threat to their self-esteem and their value system. Even if they are angry, they are more likely to internalize it. They do not want to hurt others by expressing their anger (personalitypage.com).

References

Here Is The Top ‘Love Language’ For Each Myers-Briggs Personality Type

ENFP in love

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