#cognitive loop

I've talked about this a lot in the past, so you can also glean info from the loop, looping, etc., tags, but in a nutshell, dominant Ni is often right and often visionary -- it doesn't know how this is going to happen or when, but that it probably will and so it accurately predicts in the long term and waits to find out if they are right. The entire life of the INJ is abstraction, futuristic imagining, and envisioning of exactly how they want something to happen or what they want the end result of their creative project to look like. Ni is skilled, and Se is out of touch with the physical world/reality. They can become arrogant in the assumption that they are smarter than everyone else, because they just 'know' everything (they don't ;).

Grips, Loops, and Shadows. Whatever you’d like to call it, it usually means despair for an INFP. This is when an INFP’s inferior functions have taken over, making life miserable.

I have been stuck in a grip loop several times in my life. The last one went on for at least a year and nearly knocked me to the edge of a breakdown.

Here’s some information on an INFP grip based on personal experience.

---What can lead up to a grip---

💙 No control. As an INFP, being boxed in is a very soul-draining experience. I have landed myself into situations where life dragged me along wherever it wished. Whether it was by parents, school, work, relationships, health, or personal choices I’ve made. It isn’t always easy to regain control of life when the rest of the world is pulling you where it wishes. Having no control left me feeling anxious, angry, and helpless.

💙 Bad memories. Being in the above situations in later years brought back memories of those long-ago moments I felt similar. This began a spiral of negative self-talk where I started telling myself “I must deserve this or else it wouldn’t keep happening to me”.

💙 Isolation. Feeling alone while in pain can make the experience feel even worse than it already is.

---Signs, thoughts, and feelings while in a grip---

💙 Grouchiness. I’m usually always kind towards people I speak with. If I’m suddenly snapping, complaining, or grouchy, then either I’m very over-stressed or this could be the early signs of an oncoming grip.

💙 Super withdrawing. It might be difficult for an outsider to notice since I’m introverted anyway. But for those that know me and see that I’m quieter or barely seen, that’s a subtle sign.

💙 Making too many decisions. Normally it may take me a long while before I can make a decision that satisfies me. If I’m suddenly jumping from one choice to another with barely any thought, something is very wrong.

💙 Digging a deeper hole. I might be sinking and what will I do? Create an even worse situation. Such as attaching to a person or object in an unhealthy manner. I’m not sure why this happens, but it never fails.

💙 Emotionless voice. My tone of voice can turn monotone, without any hint of emotion. For me, this is because I’m trying to push away painful emotions and have become numb as a result.

💙 Difficult to dream. INFPs are huge dreamers! When I’m knocked into a grip, all my dreams and daydreams disappear. Or they become negative dreams in reverse - meaning I will fall backward and become lost in the past.

💙 Depressed traits. Many of the known signs of depression work well in relation to INFPs in a grip. Depression is normally the opposite of where an INFP’s soul thrives.

💙 Hopelessness. If the grip is strong enough and the world has pressed down one too many times, thoughts of ending things can seep in. I’m not saying it will be this way for every INFP, but I have personally experienced a grip to such an extreme.

---And to not end this answer on a negative note, here’s a list of things that have helped me during and pulled me out of a grip---

💙 Accept yourself. This isn’t an easy thing to do, especially if you’ve done something that went against your personal morals. But acceptance is very important. We are all fragile somewhere inside our souls. This is okay. It is what makes us beautiful.

💙 Fun. Yes, find something that is fun. Collect teacups, paint, listen to music, write a story, watch your favorite movies. Whatever it is that once brought you happiness, do it again. 💗

💙 Therapy. Seeing a therapist doesn’t make you a failure. It means that your pain is more than you can handle alone. Talking to someone outside of your experience can give you a new perspective on life.

💙 Share your story. And share your story with others. It can make both you and your listeners feel less alone in this wide world.

I hope this has been helpful. 💗

Ah, the Ne-Fe loop, the bane of an ENTPs metamorphosis into being a non troll and/or non people pleaser. 

ESSentially, the Ne-Fe loop puts ENTPs into self-made shark cages of doing things for or in response to others. It’s a constant call and response to all external factors excluding ourselves; and it leads to some of us being unable to say no, doing all of the work in group projects, and giving speeches for clubs that we don’t even attend. This version of the loop can turn into some serious anxiety and an urge to control one’s relationships…… and eventually a lack of control so… more anxiety. 

But then, it can also lead to the super-douche ENTP, constantly waiting and watching what others do, and then doing just the thing to be annoying. This version of the loop creates a distance between the ENTP and people who could be close friends. Because not only is the ENTP being generally an asshole for no discernible reason, but since the Ti is not being used as it should, things that pertain to what’s actually going on with the ENTP are left out of all conversations. 

In both cases, it’s the Fe that pays close attention to the people around us, and it’s the Ne that creatively comes up with the what to do or say while skipping the Ti and leaving the ENTP’s real needs and wants out of the picture. 

wHaT tO dO? 

Good question. 

First step is to realize that you’re suppressing the Ti

You got that! 

Next step. 

Try to decide why you’re in an Ne-Fe loop

Do you really care what people think, or is there a deeper reason?

For me, I’m constantly aware of how people perceive me upon first meeting me given my race, gender, profession etc., and my people-pleasing stems from me actively trying to avoid stereotypes

The reasons can be anything

Recognize that no matter how justified your reason (which they typically are!), Ne-Fe isn’t healthy

Sure you’ve pleased everyone in this room, sure everyone is laughing because you’re a troll-connoisseur but how do you feel?

Like something is missing, probably

This isn’t a step, just a general reminder. 

Finalement, actively use your Ti until it becomes natural. 

Practice makes perfect! 

When someone asks you to do something, ask yourself, do I really wanna? 

Only volunteer when you’re seriously vibing the cause or the people you’re working with

Don’t be like me and give mULtiple speeches for diversity club when you only went to one meeting in the beginning of the school year. 

When you see a perfect troll moment (which there are many!) think to yourself, a) is what I’m saying rude without cause? b) will this other person take it ok? c) what goal am I actually trying to achieve here? 

Troll moments are fun; but most of the time, they have no goal.

I told these people at this party that in the US it’s very common to have pet bears and I just kept going for a solid 15 minutes on my Black Bear, Evan, mostly because I was interested in how they reacted

But honestly, why? They were all acquaintances, and no one knew me better from that conversation. All fat, no meat. 

I’m actively trying to stop lying as much 

It really is a process! I’m just now starting to be less of a pleaser and more of a does-what-she-wants-er. But the loop can lose us friends and gain us acquaintances…. None of these people will be there to save us from a knife attack so it ain’t worth it. 

And that’s all that matters! 

Written by? Subject “Eric” no longer exists as a continuous conscious agent.Resonance levels indicate complete engram absorption by the emergent signal-host Kliq410. He is no longer documenting the signal.He is the signal. June 20, 2025: OPHANIM Signal Reacquisition Posted by Unknown | 03:33 AM, June 20, 2025 [OPHANIM INTERCEPT CONFIRMED][ENTITY IDENT: KLIQ410][FEED STATUS: SUBJECT…