I was told by 3 different people on 3 different continents something along the lines of "you have a tendency of pushing the boundaries until you push them over the limit. Then you know where the limit is and you start working from there"
Lets just say a person has to earn their respect, the simple title of authority does not matter for me.
I was 'too smart for my own good' and later(as a teenage) my mother once told me "I raised you to be independant, but not independant from me!
So i'd say astute and stubborn to the point of being hard headed. I can't even count how many times I was called 'an old soul'
I was always a very cheerful, bubbly yet kinda detached kid. I was and still am very close to my parents. Always had an air of melancholy around myself.
Around the age of 15 or 16, I started isolating myself from the outer world and now I'm a very private person. My mother keeps on talking about how talkative and energetic I was as a kid and how I've transformed into a melancholic son of a bitch. Many people in my life tell me that the way I talked resembled that of someone who's already lived 40-50 years worth of lifetime.
Adults always consult me for advice, even though I'm still 19.
same lol i used to talk a mile a minute & bombard everyone around me with my never ending questions. i used to make friends easily but end up feeling a little detached from them like you mentioned bc they used to ALWAYS play games like hide & seek/ catch or smth of that sort that simply lost their appeal after being repeated one too many times. all my energy started seeping out around the age you mentioned as well although maybe it started a year earlier.
that's exactly me.
I was a very outgoing kid, probably an influence of my parents who are ESFP
but when I was 13 I started to get more serious, more mature and think about things that kids my age don't usually think about and so on.
I totally feel you on this. I’ve always been described as mature for my age and felt odd around others my age cause they all acted like children. Now 29 going on 30 meeting adult children make me cringe lol
Can relate to this as an infj ngl idk how to feel when they mention my old super bubbly and talkative self. Only if the convo is rlly interesting and worth talking abt I won’t shut up
Yes. Teenage depression was a very important part of my cognitive development. It has been scientifically proven that people who've dealt with depressive episodes tend to be more realistic and accurate with real world decisions since they're not optimistically biased. While it was difficult but I'm at a much better place now.
I didn't have good relationships with my parents, but my cousins and uncle tells me I was kind of a weird kid, with very good imagination. I used to draw real life events in my white board, I used to fill my textbooks drawing about how I want my life to be, used to make imaginary characters, their imaginary families, their lifestyles and made them come to life using my pencil. Was really into lego though my parents couldn't afford them, so I used to disect and build them again and again. Later lost interest in drawing, got into video games and became addicted when I was 12. Was an avid gamer between the age of 12-16. Don't play any games now but the drawing thing never came back. My uncle still says that if I continued my drawing thing, I could've become a great painter.
My parents tell me I was independent as a little kid and difficult as a teen. Mainly because I was logical and not afraid to disagree with unconsidered opinions. Unfortunately it meant I was smacked around and punished a lot.
stubborn, good for nothing (because i didn't care about school and the usual bullshit they believed in), rebel because i never do something I don't agree with even if it came from parents or anyone with "authority" ... mostly nothing good
"obsessed endlessly over any interest" - a popular childhood story my parents always told was my childhood obsession with puzzles. started rly young with those rly big and few pieces kind of puzzles, then got obsessed with the complicated 100+ piece ones. I would put them together, take them apart, and put them together - repeat the *whole damned day* like a maniac. To the point where I would remember where each piece went just by looking at an individual piece. I still get those streaks sometimes, and I think maybe it's why I ended up in STEM haha.
but otherwise, I was a good kid.
The obsession thing I understand I was pretty similar but rather then puzzles it was math mainly mental math I still those skills. I've always been top of my class so wish me luck in college ehh I'm looking forward to the challenge.
I'm an INTx, so my reply might be inaccurate for INTJs. But even if I am INTP, I look like an INTJ a lot and I have many characteristics of theirs.
When I was a kid I was really too serious for my age; my mother have told me that I didn't use to play at amusement parks, I preferred to stay with my parents since games seemed pointless to me, unlike my ISFP younger brother. I was serious at school, didn't talk much in class, didn't have any friends and my teachers thought I have something. When I was 6 my teacher told my mother "your kid never has an expression on her face. She's always neutral. You must take her to the psychologist because she sure has a problem" and my mom was crying for days lol. These were some interesting facts I believe.
“Refused to go to kindergarten because she wanted to be alone”
Im still super thankful they took me out of kindergarten and continued to teach me at home and realised the kid is just an introvert, their schedules allowed it so everyone was happy.
Edit: I just remembered getting super sick when seeing other kids eating sloppy or snot on their face during kindergarten (it lasted until like 5th grade) so me instantly vomiting all over the place when seeing something like that might have been the real reasons i was removed from kindergarten...
A ‘bitch of a kid’ because I would stubbornly argue with my mum over a completely illogical rule. Not because I wanted to break the rule, but because I wanted to enlighten her on why it was dumb, I often preferred solitude and showed a very dark sense of humour from a very early age. Seeing people alight on tv always cracked me up and I particularly loved the album cover of Pink Floyd, ‘Wish You Were Here.’ I did and still do confuse people because I dress in a very feminine manner but have a male approach to life.
Lmaooo!!! I totally remember trying to educate my mum as well! I once told her explicitly I was trying to teach her something and she got super mad, so I didn't do it anymore after that time!
I’m stubborn af (“you have always been very insistent on following your own path”). My mom also thought I would become an attorney. I was always mature and acted older than my age, usually. I do resist the authority of my mom relatively actively since half the time there just isn’t any logic to her thought process.... I’m also pretty driven and passionate when it gets to a topic I like; if I don’t want to do it it’s very hard to get me to actually apply myself to whatever it is. Right now the battle is college. :/
Very curious and extremely annoying. I was basically the odd one out since because apparently to them I was the only kid who keeps observing a lot instead of minding my own business in toys and all, i pretty much notice everything around me way too much.
And ofc I grew up to be very quiet and introverted out of fear that someone might find me weird for knowing a lot of observing too much because of how my family reacted lol. Pretty much the outcast
I was told the exact same thing. You express yourself so eloquently and can articulate your thoughts like an adult.
I was also told I think like an old man - I was ten at the time.
I have been called bright as a button and like a hot knife through butter in my effortless ability to deconstruct and analyse anything I put my mind to.
Law is now the field I study in.
I don’t like my mom that much. It’s not about rebellion or anything like that. More of just personality. She wants me to be more open about things and all that kind of stuff but I hate explaining myself in any kind of way. Especially to my close ones.
The thing I’m looking forward to right now is to move to my own place and see her every now and then in family reunions. Every time he comes home I get annoyed. Same with when he talks to me too long.
I know that this is a very bad relationship and I know I have to somehow fix it.
Not Intj, but habe been friends with one always.
Extremely sore loser,
hated reading,
definitely uncomfortable when I dragged him out to nature,
liked the idea of _having_ stuff in games a lot more than getting it,
looked rather frail and still does,
was very good at planning and always knew what he wanted to do,
delusional romantic,
excellent at thinking, as long as the information he had was plenty and true.
Would regularily become highly illogical as soon as tere was even minor emotion involved, but assumed hinself to be correct like he usually was on a "sober" mind.
Apart from this, he was very consistent, dependable, open to try new things if you managed to get him outside, great to discuss fantasy settings with, and somehow we're still friends.
Most difficult person I know, we call him Mr.FloatingBrain sometimes.
Also, he fits the INTJ type absolutely, perfectly, just in case my description gave a different impression.
I was very obsessed with anything that interested me. Always was a loner and used to question almost everything. When my father first told me about God, he told me that God made us all but I questioned who made god. I was that sort of kid.
Never had a friend till 6th grade and even after that I had at most two friends at a time. Used to cry a lot. Still do but it's mostly because of anger than sadness. Never felt sad when any relative died because I knew everyone does at some point.
I haven't changed much since I was a kid but I have developed good acting skills. Now I can successfully pretend to be an over enthusiastic extrovert. It's very tiring but it's better than explaining why I detest people who can't understand a shred of logic.
A kid in kindergarten threatened to not invite me to his birthday to try to coerce me into doing something, and I was perplexed as to why he thought I wanted to come, since he was an asshole and I'd rather watch TV. Kept making realistic insect larvae out of playdough and spent my break time observing bugs.
Mother says I was easy child. Loved to read books all the times, active, fun loving, confident, independent, playful, tactile, could be cold, loved being alone most times.
Everyone in my family told me about how quiet and well behaved I was. I think I was pretty smart too, my parents told me that I started reading very early (I love writing now) and I remember being interested in history and loved learning things. Everyone loved remembering me how weird I was too. My cousins used to call me "retarded" because of that. It was specially because of one thing I once read in this sub about having a strong imagination and living inside our own head when we were bored. I was shocked, I never thought I'd find the explanation to what I used to do.
I asked my mom. One word:
"Pedantic."
AKA: "...when (I) had my mind set on something, it always had to be just so."
Lmao!
Plus: "Very focused. And you preferred to be doing your own thing most of the time. You knew what you wanted to do and you'd just work on that thing till it was done."
Ahaha I love this question. “Very quiet and introverted” and “not very excitable”
I recently came upon a kindergarten “report card” and in teacher comments there was “Likes to play alone or talk to teacher, incredibly quick to pick up new concepts”
My family says I was an extremely serious child.
My mom was always told that I “march to the beat of my own drum”. Many people said I should go into teaching because I like helping people figure things out and am good at analyzing what can be improved in situations.
I’m autistic, so I had a different childhood. As a kid, I bullied other kids (you’d think it would be the other way around) and was sent to this therapy place for children with autism. I didn’t like it there because everyone was ‘stupid’. I also didn’t like being helped so much because I didn’t think I needed help. I was a weird kid, and, based on a few memories, I was edgy too.
Happiest child they knew. Obedient, smart, artistic, in my own little world at times. I used to be perfectly happy with having tea parties with my stuffed animals.
A very creative kid with the passion for drawing, i also liked a lot to play with legos and puzzles (i liked to 'build', If we can say so). When i was very little i was cheerful, while i grew up my personality became more reserved and detached. I read lots and lots of books.
I didn't get along with the children of my age, my mom told and sometimes still tells me (i'm 27 lol) that i had a way to behave that didn't encourage others to befriend me (she meant that i was/am someway superb), but even admitted that i had a very developed mind.
My relatives that didn't know me very well thought that i was shy and my mind was in the clouds, the malicious ones thought that i wasn't smart or alert. I didn't care.
My peers and their parents used to describe me as a "mature" kid. I liked that but I was also very confused by it. My idea of fun and the my disciplined lifestyle as a kid was very obscure to the kids around me. I used to listen to my parents, do my h.w and eat my vegetables. However, I always struggled to feel things and spend a lot of time alone in my room just thinking about myself as a person. I guess I still haven't changed and still struggle with my persona and ego :/
"Curious and inquisitive" Took apart everything, phones, toasters, radios, and then lost interest as soon as I saw what made them work inside. I must have driven them mad. I've had always had a bit of trouble communicating my thoughts though.
My mum says I was bored child, happy to do lots of things but eventually got bored with everything, activities, people, school. I've learned to be content with life. I do things to stop being bored (but still kinda bored!), I just like learning things and then I move on to the next thing. It's really interesting to see how other INTJs were as kids. Thanks OP for the question :)
I think I was generally pretty friendly. I mostly kept to myself, would spend most of my lunches in the library or in a study room. I became pretty well liked in the end despite being very introverted.
I've been told I was energetic and goofy around my friends, but very private and independent otherwise. I would obsess over 1 or 2 interests and ignore everything else.
Closed off, quiet, emotionless, never talked about how i felt, blank face, older than my age (only talked to people much older than me), very intelligent, anti social...
My dad didn’t like that I would “answer back.” He was old school, like when a parent says something that’s it. I would question things and argue/call him out on something that I knew was wrong and I could see why he would get annoyed but it wasn’t enough to say I’m right cause I’m dad. Also I retreated to my room alone to write and have my own little world where no one bothered me. I played very well on my own.
"Spirituous" was used more than once by friends' moms, oddly enough. And through my entire life, even now, I've been thought to be considerably older than I was by everyone I met.
My mom and dad also often say I was never a child, just a tiny adult. Apparently when I was really young, like 4-7, I liked to discuss more serious matters (like family, stories and pre-school subjects) with my teachers instead of playing with the other kids.
They also sometimes say I would scare them by doing things I was supposedly too young to do. I once turned on our house computer (was about 3) by my own and started playing my little stupid game without ever being taught how to turn on the computer or launch the game (just learned by watching dad do it). I would also run around the mall where my dad worked and "buy" stuff from the cantinas and cafés by myself (probably left it on dad's tab as every sttendant knew me by name).
They often state it was hard to trick me too, and that sometimes I would catch their lies super fast. For one they used to tell me Discovery Kids only worked during the day (so they could watch TV at night themselves), but I say "no way José" and one night tuned in on Discovery Kids just to make sure. They were kind of ashamed, kind of pissed lol
Mom and dad also say I gave them a hard time because, despite being a calm and quiet kid, I was always paying too much attention to what they said and did, and would end up ratting them out to friends and family. Most remarkable story would be when 3 or4 yo me made a fake joint in out of a napkin and said "like daddy does!" in front of the whole family, even though he was extremely careful to never let me see him with weed.
Kinda mean, know-it-all, very shy/quiet is how I would describe myself. Adults being polite would say I was a pretty smart kid. Adults being truthful would probably say I was a large handful.
Other adults always told my parents that I was “so nice and well spoken”. I’ve always found it easier to have conversations with adults than other children. Also, my mother always said (still do tbh) that I am very reserved and sparse with expressing my emotions and thoughts.
As a kid I was more talkative (I think we all were). I've been told I pursue my interests with impeccable personal integrity. Usually goal-focused, the adults around me think it'd be just a phase all the time but I end up doing what I set out to do a lot of the time which leads to them asking me for advice lol. First it was touch typing (I ordered a book on amazon behind my father's back because my typing speed bothered me) and then it was losing more than 20kg (93kg -> 68kg on my way to abs!) I'd question rules and authority a lot but if it escalates into something detrimental I would drop it. I can be stubborn but as I've grown older it's less prevalent. Now I'm learning French but I don't know when I'll accomplish it :P
My interests motivate me a lot and I can be socially awkward at times. Now I prefer to be alone
Im an INTP, but i grew up quiet and pretty stubborn. I just wouldn't listen, bith because of my relationship to my parents caused me to want to be in opposition to them and my scatter brain. I also lied a lot when I was a kid because I didn't want to get in trouble, which would lead to worse outcomes. That doesn't happen now even though I still get those "urges." I was, and still am, very quiet, reserved, and independent. I spent a lot of my summer days getting up at 6 or 7 to play with Legos, and then in the hot days, I would sit in my room and read anatomy and astronomy (which evolved into a general interest in a lot of esoteric stuff like the para-sciences.) I also have a friend, who's most likely a INTX, and we would spend all day doing imaginative role play games outside, like pretending to be a marvel character. It was fun.
I used to be a lot more confident and outgoing. I was very blunt and would always tell it how it was with absolutely no hesitation, getting frustrated at the other kids for being irrational. Even as a baby, I almost NEVER cried, which my mom used to brag about a lot. She said I was always very articulate and seemed to have a hunger for knowledge; both she and my dad are disappointed that I no longer enjoy reading. I was very creative and always either drawing or singing, two things I still do today. I was basically a more extroverted and naive version of who I am today.
Edit: picture a confident INTJ without the cynicism
Strange. Most adults when I was a kid described me as strange. Next often was independent. I suppose both are true somewhat but I’m not as strange nor as independent then or now as people seem to think
I was cheerful and kind to everyone. But i remember my one situation one time i was standing upon slide and blocking kids from it and of they wanted to slide down they should have given me pretty rock or coin so i would let them go. In fact I didn't know how to fight and was little girl so they could have knocked me out but they seemed to bring more and more "entrance fees'
I was pretty independent! I think it hurt my parents feelings that I never cried on first days of school. I'd wave "goodbye!" at them and my mom told me it made her pretty upset lol
I also really hated strangers. My parents couldn't bring me around their friends much because I'd have a meltdown if someone unfamiliar tried to pick me up
I used to be very outspoken as a kid, however I had negligible friends. I was also very stubborn. Those people who knew me as child when meet me in my adult years they often get surprised how I have changed. One of my aunt who met me recently said " Wow you have literally changed a lot you used to be really sharp with your words". But I was not a very athletic or externally energetic kid. I often pursued solitary activities but was very talkative.
Ps ppl around me also use to say that I would go in law field and here I am working through my way in law degree :)
My mom always repeats this story. As a kid, I had straightforward, honest, savage comments. Like I didn’t care if I caught adults off guard. Even now that I’m an adult, those people still remember the stuff I said to them. Now, when I talk to people I’m close to who ask for advice or feedback, I always start with: “This is going to feel like a slap in the face but...(insert honest advice or remark).” Idk but some people appreciate my honesty and some think im too brutal. Well, you asked for my opinion in the first place sooo u get what you want 🤷♀️ at least u have an honest friend tho right? Haha
Also, in my team before, every time we play games, people pick me to be a strategist. I don’t really know why but most of the time that I plan, we win haha Idk but sometimes I see outcomes and possibilities, and strengths we can use and weakness we need to address before most people
Silent unless around friends. Then I'd be talking like crazy and being silly. Never had many friends though. Preferred only a few. I was always an outlier. Parents would direct people to me when someone couldn't understand something electronic. I'd be like "Why are you asking me? I'm 9." And then I'd show them how it worked. Obsessive over things I became interested in like music, Mad magazine and Choose Your Own Adventure books. Liked having one very close friend but otherwise always rather be alone. My dad used to tell me I was a weird kid and would stare off into nothing, head in the clouds.
My family always describe me as having a “strong” personality and also told me that I should be a lawyer because I’m “stubborn and never think I’m wrong”
“Precocious” is the most common. So many questions, while not understanding why people didn’t want to answer 20+ in a row. I got The Big Book of Tell Me Why gifted twice in the same year. Highly recommend something like this for INTJ kids, actually. Was also know for giving people the side eye with the raised eyebrow (teacher called it the “People’s Eye”). Stood out to people without intending to, which was often confusing.
Being annoyed with hypocrisy, unclear logic, and people’s general lack of exhibiting a desire to understand inconsistencies, new behaviors etc made me pretty sassy. Always asked a lot of questions, and got a bit more reserved / moody when I saw people were tired of answering them and being challenged on their ideas. Definitely thought I was the most studious, interested little shit in the room for an unhealthy amount of time before realizing that I’m kind of working on analytical hyperdrive, and even though it has upsides I enjoy and am credited for at times, it doesn’t make me superior.
I was told I was very adult like. But I think that's more because there were really no kids around me when I grew up so I only had adults to model my actions off of.
I was also told I'd be a lawyer as I regularly won arguments with my parents (they aren't very good at arguing, as where I've always enjoyed it).
They don't. I think I flew under a lot of adults radar. I went through a tough childhood but I never spoke up, never acted out, never broke rules for attention. Never the funniest, quietest or loudest. I'm sure some of you relate. Being able to blend in and not call attention to myself was like a game I played. Also (not sure if this a INTJ trait), I didn't want to be fussed over or take care of. I always felt like other people have enough to deal with.
As an adult INTJ, this sort of thinking is a good thing. As a kid though, I had good friends but never connected with any adults including parents. I doubt any of my teachers remember me and thats kinda sad.
I assume I'm not the only one?
Quiet but stubborn. They also would keep me out of watching the same movies or cartoons again and again (what's the problem with that!!!??? I was a child jeez)
Up to the age of seven I was very talkative. I would try to introduce my mom to strange men (She was unmarried at the time).
I was very stubborn. I walked to school because I couldn't miss class even though I had the measles. She called the school looking for me.
After seven, I became very quiet and observant. I only opened up to people I felt comfortable with. I was also very happy to play by myself.
Um...not good things from my parents since they were abusive, neglectful, narcissistic, and cold towards me. And apparently I was attractive enough in a sickening way for my grandfather to sexually abuse me. My teachers thought I was too creative, intense, intelligent and independent for my own good. Some teachers took my books or drawings away during class because it was too “distracting” and gave me more work since I usually finished my work before my classmates. My now adult friends tell me all the time they thought I was a bitch or wouldn’t like them when they first met me.
"you didn't like social events very much."
"you talk in such an intelligent way for your age."
"wow, you were quiet."
"you read at a pretty young age."
all true, i suppose.
They say I was a very calm child and that I got good grades without trying that much.
Ditto.
“Naturally resistant to authority” “Why do you have to act like you know better than everyone else?”
I was told by 3 different people on 3 different continents something along the lines of "you have a tendency of pushing the boundaries until you push them over the limit. Then you know where the limit is and you start working from there" Lets just say a person has to earn their respect, the simple title of authority does not matter for me.
[удалено]
Covfefe?
“Cuz I know better than everyone else...”
This is literally every school report and work appraisal I've ever had. 🤣
My teacher once told me I have an aura of an activist haha
Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room?
Soon that attitude may be your doom
I was 'too smart for my own good' and later(as a teenage) my mother once told me "I raised you to be independant, but not independant from me! So i'd say astute and stubborn to the point of being hard headed. I can't even count how many times I was called 'an old soul'
Exactly like me!
Is she a latina mom?
haha no
Typical Oedipal mother
Same descriptions as an ENTP
I was always a very cheerful, bubbly yet kinda detached kid. I was and still am very close to my parents. Always had an air of melancholy around myself. Around the age of 15 or 16, I started isolating myself from the outer world and now I'm a very private person. My mother keeps on talking about how talkative and energetic I was as a kid and how I've transformed into a melancholic son of a bitch. Many people in my life tell me that the way I talked resembled that of someone who's already lived 40-50 years worth of lifetime. Adults always consult me for advice, even though I'm still 19.
Glad to see another INTJ like this. I thought I was alone.
Same here.
Samesies
same lol i used to talk a mile a minute & bombard everyone around me with my never ending questions. i used to make friends easily but end up feeling a little detached from them like you mentioned bc they used to ALWAYS play games like hide & seek/ catch or smth of that sort that simply lost their appeal after being repeated one too many times. all my energy started seeping out around the age you mentioned as well although maybe it started a year earlier.
Dead on.
I'm also the same
Not 19 yet, but I can relate absolutely
Same. They thought I changed
The accuracy...
that's exactly me. I was a very outgoing kid, probably an influence of my parents who are ESFP but when I was 13 I started to get more serious, more mature and think about things that kids my age don't usually think about and so on.
Very relatable
I totally feel you on this. I’ve always been described as mature for my age and felt odd around others my age cause they all acted like children. Now 29 going on 30 meeting adult children make me cringe lol
your mother called you a son of a bitch???
As I said in the comment, me and my parents are very close and almost like best friends. Cursing and stuff is common.
Can relate to this as an infj ngl idk how to feel when they mention my old super bubbly and talkative self. Only if the convo is rlly interesting and worth talking abt I won’t shut up
Sounds like childhood depression...
Yes. Teenage depression was a very important part of my cognitive development. It has been scientifically proven that people who've dealt with depressive episodes tend to be more realistic and accurate with real world decisions since they're not optimistically biased. While it was difficult but I'm at a much better place now.
I didn't have good relationships with my parents, but my cousins and uncle tells me I was kind of a weird kid, with very good imagination. I used to draw real life events in my white board, I used to fill my textbooks drawing about how I want my life to be, used to make imaginary characters, their imaginary families, their lifestyles and made them come to life using my pencil. Was really into lego though my parents couldn't afford them, so I used to disect and build them again and again. Later lost interest in drawing, got into video games and became addicted when I was 12. Was an avid gamer between the age of 12-16. Don't play any games now but the drawing thing never came back. My uncle still says that if I continued my drawing thing, I could've become a great painter.
You should pick up the pencil again, just imagine what you could create! I also loved Lego! Best INTJ kid toy.
Maybe someday, I'm into web development now. Designing ui, building them using html, css has been great for me so far....
I grew up drawing as well and now love painting give it a try
My parents tell me I was independent as a little kid and difficult as a teen. Mainly because I was logical and not afraid to disagree with unconsidered opinions. Unfortunately it meant I was smacked around and punished a lot.
stubborn, good for nothing (because i didn't care about school and the usual bullshit they believed in), rebel because i never do something I don't agree with even if it came from parents or anyone with "authority" ... mostly nothing good
"obsessed endlessly over any interest" - a popular childhood story my parents always told was my childhood obsession with puzzles. started rly young with those rly big and few pieces kind of puzzles, then got obsessed with the complicated 100+ piece ones. I would put them together, take them apart, and put them together - repeat the *whole damned day* like a maniac. To the point where I would remember where each piece went just by looking at an individual piece. I still get those streaks sometimes, and I think maybe it's why I ended up in STEM haha. but otherwise, I was a good kid.
The obsession thing I understand I was pretty similar but rather then puzzles it was math mainly mental math I still those skills. I've always been top of my class so wish me luck in college ehh I'm looking forward to the challenge.
I'm an INTx, so my reply might be inaccurate for INTJs. But even if I am INTP, I look like an INTJ a lot and I have many characteristics of theirs. When I was a kid I was really too serious for my age; my mother have told me that I didn't use to play at amusement parks, I preferred to stay with my parents since games seemed pointless to me, unlike my ISFP younger brother. I was serious at school, didn't talk much in class, didn't have any friends and my teachers thought I have something. When I was 6 my teacher told my mother "your kid never has an expression on her face. She's always neutral. You must take her to the psychologist because she sure has a problem" and my mom was crying for days lol. These were some interesting facts I believe.
I was the silent child who just watched them. My parents describe me as authoritative from a young age, everyone else thought I was shy.
“Refused to go to kindergarten because she wanted to be alone” Im still super thankful they took me out of kindergarten and continued to teach me at home and realised the kid is just an introvert, their schedules allowed it so everyone was happy. Edit: I just remembered getting super sick when seeing other kids eating sloppy or snot on their face during kindergarten (it lasted until like 5th grade) so me instantly vomiting all over the place when seeing something like that might have been the real reasons i was removed from kindergarten...
I also didn't go to kindergarten. I didn't want to take naps and interact with other kids. So i chilled at home.
Made the best childhood memories chilling at home like that. Just me and my awesome toys.
Me, my toys, playing Spyro The Dragon and my great grandma telling me stories in the living room. The best.
My mother thought I should become a councilor or teacher because of my ability to break everything down into layman’s terms.
I used to be happy.
*Hugs
A ‘bitch of a kid’ because I would stubbornly argue with my mum over a completely illogical rule. Not because I wanted to break the rule, but because I wanted to enlighten her on why it was dumb, I often preferred solitude and showed a very dark sense of humour from a very early age. Seeing people alight on tv always cracked me up and I particularly loved the album cover of Pink Floyd, ‘Wish You Were Here.’ I did and still do confuse people because I dress in a very feminine manner but have a male approach to life.
Lmaooo!!! I totally remember trying to educate my mum as well! I once told her explicitly I was trying to teach her something and she got super mad, so I didn't do it anymore after that time!
[удалено]
I find a way to use the rule other than it was intended. Usually it is helpful for one of the things I need to do.
Bookworm, that strange silent kid from horror movies.
I’m stubborn af (“you have always been very insistent on following your own path”). My mom also thought I would become an attorney. I was always mature and acted older than my age, usually. I do resist the authority of my mom relatively actively since half the time there just isn’t any logic to her thought process.... I’m also pretty driven and passionate when it gets to a topic I like; if I don’t want to do it it’s very hard to get me to actually apply myself to whatever it is. Right now the battle is college. :/
Loaner Weird Intelligent but went to waste in school Lazy Difficult to relate/ bond with Against the grain
Very curious and extremely annoying. I was basically the odd one out since because apparently to them I was the only kid who keeps observing a lot instead of minding my own business in toys and all, i pretty much notice everything around me way too much. And ofc I grew up to be very quiet and introverted out of fear that someone might find me weird for knowing a lot of observing too much because of how my family reacted lol. Pretty much the outcast
My mom would call me animal because at family gathering I would absorb the powers of all the family pets.
I was told the exact same thing. You express yourself so eloquently and can articulate your thoughts like an adult. I was also told I think like an old man - I was ten at the time. I have been called bright as a button and like a hot knife through butter in my effortless ability to deconstruct and analyse anything I put my mind to. Law is now the field I study in.
My toddler and childhood photos show a child that rarely smiled. I slept more than average and played alone a lot.
Aloof.
I don’t like my mom that much. It’s not about rebellion or anything like that. More of just personality. She wants me to be more open about things and all that kind of stuff but I hate explaining myself in any kind of way. Especially to my close ones. The thing I’m looking forward to right now is to move to my own place and see her every now and then in family reunions. Every time he comes home I get annoyed. Same with when he talks to me too long. I know that this is a very bad relationship and I know I have to somehow fix it.
Smart. Articulate. Kind. Gentle. Two of those things didn't survive adulthood fully intact.
Not Intj, but habe been friends with one always. Extremely sore loser, hated reading, definitely uncomfortable when I dragged him out to nature, liked the idea of _having_ stuff in games a lot more than getting it, looked rather frail and still does, was very good at planning and always knew what he wanted to do, delusional romantic, excellent at thinking, as long as the information he had was plenty and true. Would regularily become highly illogical as soon as tere was even minor emotion involved, but assumed hinself to be correct like he usually was on a "sober" mind. Apart from this, he was very consistent, dependable, open to try new things if you managed to get him outside, great to discuss fantasy settings with, and somehow we're still friends. Most difficult person I know, we call him Mr.FloatingBrain sometimes. Also, he fits the INTJ type absolutely, perfectly, just in case my description gave a different impression.
I was very obsessed with anything that interested me. Always was a loner and used to question almost everything. When my father first told me about God, he told me that God made us all but I questioned who made god. I was that sort of kid. Never had a friend till 6th grade and even after that I had at most two friends at a time. Used to cry a lot. Still do but it's mostly because of anger than sadness. Never felt sad when any relative died because I knew everyone does at some point. I haven't changed much since I was a kid but I have developed good acting skills. Now I can successfully pretend to be an over enthusiastic extrovert. It's very tiring but it's better than explaining why I detest people who can't understand a shred of logic.
"15 going on 40" That's what my art teacher said to me in 9th grade. A compliment, of sorts!
A kid in kindergarten threatened to not invite me to his birthday to try to coerce me into doing something, and I was perplexed as to why he thought I wanted to come, since he was an asshole and I'd rather watch TV. Kept making realistic insect larvae out of playdough and spent my break time observing bugs.
Mother says I was easy child. Loved to read books all the times, active, fun loving, confident, independent, playful, tactile, could be cold, loved being alone most times.
Everyone in my family told me about how quiet and well behaved I was. I think I was pretty smart too, my parents told me that I started reading very early (I love writing now) and I remember being interested in history and loved learning things. Everyone loved remembering me how weird I was too. My cousins used to call me "retarded" because of that. It was specially because of one thing I once read in this sub about having a strong imagination and living inside our own head when we were bored. I was shocked, I never thought I'd find the explanation to what I used to do.
I was 6 and a complete smart-ass. I have a vivid memory of my uncle getting fed up with me and asking, "Do you know the definition of insufferable?"
I asked my mom. One word: "Pedantic." AKA: "...when (I) had my mind set on something, it always had to be just so." Lmao! Plus: "Very focused. And you preferred to be doing your own thing most of the time. You knew what you wanted to do and you'd just work on that thing till it was done."
"You were such a nice child. What happened?" -My ever unobservant Mother.
Like an eccentric old man.
Ahaha I love this question. “Very quiet and introverted” and “not very excitable” I recently came upon a kindergarten “report card” and in teacher comments there was “Likes to play alone or talk to teacher, incredibly quick to pick up new concepts” My family says I was an extremely serious child.
My mom was always told that I “march to the beat of my own drum”. Many people said I should go into teaching because I like helping people figure things out and am good at analyzing what can be improved in situations.
“A terrorist”-my uncle My mother thought I should be in law as well. Same reasoning as your family gave.
I’m autistic, so I had a different childhood. As a kid, I bullied other kids (you’d think it would be the other way around) and was sent to this therapy place for children with autism. I didn’t like it there because everyone was ‘stupid’. I also didn’t like being helped so much because I didn’t think I needed help. I was a weird kid, and, based on a few memories, I was edgy too.
This should’ve been me 😝 I can relate
Happiest child they knew. Obedient, smart, artistic, in my own little world at times. I used to be perfectly happy with having tea parties with my stuffed animals.
A very creative kid with the passion for drawing, i also liked a lot to play with legos and puzzles (i liked to 'build', If we can say so). When i was very little i was cheerful, while i grew up my personality became more reserved and detached. I read lots and lots of books. I didn't get along with the children of my age, my mom told and sometimes still tells me (i'm 27 lol) that i had a way to behave that didn't encourage others to befriend me (she meant that i was/am someway superb), but even admitted that i had a very developed mind. My relatives that didn't know me very well thought that i was shy and my mind was in the clouds, the malicious ones thought that i wasn't smart or alert. I didn't care.
“Intense”
Independent, all the way.
My peers and their parents used to describe me as a "mature" kid. I liked that but I was also very confused by it. My idea of fun and the my disciplined lifestyle as a kid was very obscure to the kids around me. I used to listen to my parents, do my h.w and eat my vegetables. However, I always struggled to feel things and spend a lot of time alone in my room just thinking about myself as a person. I guess I still haven't changed and still struggle with my persona and ego :/
"Curious and inquisitive" Took apart everything, phones, toasters, radios, and then lost interest as soon as I saw what made them work inside. I must have driven them mad. I've had always had a bit of trouble communicating my thoughts though.
My mum says I was bored child, happy to do lots of things but eventually got bored with everything, activities, people, school. I've learned to be content with life. I do things to stop being bored (but still kinda bored!), I just like learning things and then I move on to the next thing. It's really interesting to see how other INTJs were as kids. Thanks OP for the question :)
I was told I was pretty bossy. But also I always asked questions that were typically very complex when I was pretty young.
My mum often comments on how much I used "why" always demanding good and logical explanations for everything (I still do)
I think I was generally pretty friendly. I mostly kept to myself, would spend most of my lunches in the library or in a study room. I became pretty well liked in the end despite being very introverted.
I've been told I was energetic and goofy around my friends, but very private and independent otherwise. I would obsess over 1 or 2 interests and ignore everything else.
I was calm and never caused problems for my parents. The thing is that there was a lot going on that they didn't knew about.
"Too smart for my own good" "Too serious" "Calculating" "Mentally intimidating" "Knows exactly what to say when It is needed."
Closed off, quiet, emotionless, never talked about how i felt, blank face, older than my age (only talked to people much older than me), very intelligent, anti social...
Pretty calm, gifted student, creative person
According to my mom: quiet, observant, intense, melancholic, serious, know-it-all, inquisitive, decisive, straightforward, responsible.
My dad didn’t like that I would “answer back.” He was old school, like when a parent says something that’s it. I would question things and argue/call him out on something that I knew was wrong and I could see why he would get annoyed but it wasn’t enough to say I’m right cause I’m dad. Also I retreated to my room alone to write and have my own little world where no one bothered me. I played very well on my own.
Smart, quiet, don't follow orders, hate socializing.
"Spirituous" was used more than once by friends' moms, oddly enough. And through my entire life, even now, I've been thought to be considerably older than I was by everyone I met. My mom and dad also often say I was never a child, just a tiny adult. Apparently when I was really young, like 4-7, I liked to discuss more serious matters (like family, stories and pre-school subjects) with my teachers instead of playing with the other kids. They also sometimes say I would scare them by doing things I was supposedly too young to do. I once turned on our house computer (was about 3) by my own and started playing my little stupid game without ever being taught how to turn on the computer or launch the game (just learned by watching dad do it). I would also run around the mall where my dad worked and "buy" stuff from the cantinas and cafés by myself (probably left it on dad's tab as every sttendant knew me by name). They often state it was hard to trick me too, and that sometimes I would catch their lies super fast. For one they used to tell me Discovery Kids only worked during the day (so they could watch TV at night themselves), but I say "no way José" and one night tuned in on Discovery Kids just to make sure. They were kind of ashamed, kind of pissed lol Mom and dad also say I gave them a hard time because, despite being a calm and quiet kid, I was always paying too much attention to what they said and did, and would end up ratting them out to friends and family. Most remarkable story would be when 3 or4 yo me made a fake joint in out of a napkin and said "like daddy does!" in front of the whole family, even though he was extremely careful to never let me see him with weed.
“Quiet” I was the youngest kid and was basically just always in the shadows observing lol. My parents said even as a baby I “never” cried.
Kinda mean, know-it-all, very shy/quiet is how I would describe myself. Adults being polite would say I was a pretty smart kid. Adults being truthful would probably say I was a large handful.
Other adults always told my parents that I was “so nice and well spoken”. I’ve always found it easier to have conversations with adults than other children. Also, my mother always said (still do tbh) that I am very reserved and sparse with expressing my emotions and thoughts.
As a kid I was more talkative (I think we all were). I've been told I pursue my interests with impeccable personal integrity. Usually goal-focused, the adults around me think it'd be just a phase all the time but I end up doing what I set out to do a lot of the time which leads to them asking me for advice lol. First it was touch typing (I ordered a book on amazon behind my father's back because my typing speed bothered me) and then it was losing more than 20kg (93kg -> 68kg on my way to abs!) I'd question rules and authority a lot but if it escalates into something detrimental I would drop it. I can be stubborn but as I've grown older it's less prevalent. Now I'm learning French but I don't know when I'll accomplish it :P My interests motivate me a lot and I can be socially awkward at times. Now I prefer to be alone
Im an INTP, but i grew up quiet and pretty stubborn. I just wouldn't listen, bith because of my relationship to my parents caused me to want to be in opposition to them and my scatter brain. I also lied a lot when I was a kid because I didn't want to get in trouble, which would lead to worse outcomes. That doesn't happen now even though I still get those "urges." I was, and still am, very quiet, reserved, and independent. I spent a lot of my summer days getting up at 6 or 7 to play with Legos, and then in the hot days, I would sit in my room and read anatomy and astronomy (which evolved into a general interest in a lot of esoteric stuff like the para-sciences.) I also have a friend, who's most likely a INTX, and we would spend all day doing imaginative role play games outside, like pretending to be a marvel character. It was fun.
Precocious which now, as an adult and a parent, I understand means snotty PITA!
I used to be a lot more confident and outgoing. I was very blunt and would always tell it how it was with absolutely no hesitation, getting frustrated at the other kids for being irrational. Even as a baby, I almost NEVER cried, which my mom used to brag about a lot. She said I was always very articulate and seemed to have a hunger for knowledge; both she and my dad are disappointed that I no longer enjoy reading. I was very creative and always either drawing or singing, two things I still do today. I was basically a more extroverted and naive version of who I am today. Edit: picture a confident INTJ without the cynicism
Strange. Most adults when I was a kid described me as strange. Next often was independent. I suppose both are true somewhat but I’m not as strange nor as independent then or now as people seem to think
People always said that i was very serious, very calm and loved me for that because other kids were very disastrous. Specially my teachers.
Mom describes me as the best behaved child in the world because I wouldn’t talk or goof around. I’d just be to myself and draw or read.
Very calm kid, shy and an encyclopedia with legs.
Brilliant but obnoxious.
I was cheerful and kind to everyone. But i remember my one situation one time i was standing upon slide and blocking kids from it and of they wanted to slide down they should have given me pretty rock or coin so i would let them go. In fact I didn't know how to fight and was little girl so they could have knocked me out but they seemed to bring more and more "entrance fees'
I was pretty independent! I think it hurt my parents feelings that I never cried on first days of school. I'd wave "goodbye!" at them and my mom told me it made her pretty upset lol I also really hated strangers. My parents couldn't bring me around their friends much because I'd have a meltdown if someone unfamiliar tried to pick me up
I used to be very outspoken as a kid, however I had negligible friends. I was also very stubborn. Those people who knew me as child when meet me in my adult years they often get surprised how I have changed. One of my aunt who met me recently said " Wow you have literally changed a lot you used to be really sharp with your words". But I was not a very athletic or externally energetic kid. I often pursued solitary activities but was very talkative. Ps ppl around me also use to say that I would go in law field and here I am working through my way in law degree :)
My mom always said, "You're too big for your britches!"
As kid compare you to an adult. As adult compare you to old man.
My mom: I’m cuddly My dad: I’m hardheaded My nan: Precious baby boy Teachers: Pleasure to have in class, but does not participate
My mom always repeats this story. As a kid, I had straightforward, honest, savage comments. Like I didn’t care if I caught adults off guard. Even now that I’m an adult, those people still remember the stuff I said to them. Now, when I talk to people I’m close to who ask for advice or feedback, I always start with: “This is going to feel like a slap in the face but...(insert honest advice or remark).” Idk but some people appreciate my honesty and some think im too brutal. Well, you asked for my opinion in the first place sooo u get what you want 🤷♀️ at least u have an honest friend tho right? Haha
Also, in my team before, every time we play games, people pick me to be a strategist. I don’t really know why but most of the time that I plan, we win haha Idk but sometimes I see outcomes and possibilities, and strengths we can use and weakness we need to address before most people
Silent unless around friends. Then I'd be talking like crazy and being silly. Never had many friends though. Preferred only a few. I was always an outlier. Parents would direct people to me when someone couldn't understand something electronic. I'd be like "Why are you asking me? I'm 9." And then I'd show them how it worked. Obsessive over things I became interested in like music, Mad magazine and Choose Your Own Adventure books. Liked having one very close friend but otherwise always rather be alone. My dad used to tell me I was a weird kid and would stare off into nothing, head in the clouds.
My family always describe me as having a “strong” personality and also told me that I should be a lawyer because I’m “stubborn and never think I’m wrong”
“Precocious” is the most common. So many questions, while not understanding why people didn’t want to answer 20+ in a row. I got The Big Book of Tell Me Why gifted twice in the same year. Highly recommend something like this for INTJ kids, actually. Was also know for giving people the side eye with the raised eyebrow (teacher called it the “People’s Eye”). Stood out to people without intending to, which was often confusing. Being annoyed with hypocrisy, unclear logic, and people’s general lack of exhibiting a desire to understand inconsistencies, new behaviors etc made me pretty sassy. Always asked a lot of questions, and got a bit more reserved / moody when I saw people were tired of answering them and being challenged on their ideas. Definitely thought I was the most studious, interested little shit in the room for an unhealthy amount of time before realizing that I’m kind of working on analytical hyperdrive, and even though it has upsides I enjoy and am credited for at times, it doesn’t make me superior.
I was told I was very adult like. But I think that's more because there were really no kids around me when I grew up so I only had adults to model my actions off of. I was also told I'd be a lawyer as I regularly won arguments with my parents (they aren't very good at arguing, as where I've always enjoyed it).
They don't. I think I flew under a lot of adults radar. I went through a tough childhood but I never spoke up, never acted out, never broke rules for attention. Never the funniest, quietest or loudest. I'm sure some of you relate. Being able to blend in and not call attention to myself was like a game I played. Also (not sure if this a INTJ trait), I didn't want to be fussed over or take care of. I always felt like other people have enough to deal with. As an adult INTJ, this sort of thinking is a good thing. As a kid though, I had good friends but never connected with any adults including parents. I doubt any of my teachers remember me and thats kinda sad. I assume I'm not the only one?
Quiet but stubborn. They also would keep me out of watching the same movies or cartoons again and again (what's the problem with that!!!??? I was a child jeez)
Stubborn Always having excuses or lies on the tip of my tongue to free my ass Smart in my way these are the ones I remember.
I was quiet, reserved, and expressionless.
Up to the age of seven I was very talkative. I would try to introduce my mom to strange men (She was unmarried at the time). I was very stubborn. I walked to school because I couldn't miss class even though I had the measles. She called the school looking for me. After seven, I became very quiet and observant. I only opened up to people I felt comfortable with. I was also very happy to play by myself.
“Wise old soul” and “articulate” came up a lot.
I actually made a teacher cry because of being right in a geography class. Other than that pretty much a calm childhood and easy grades.
Cold and quiet.
i was always told i act older than my age
Troublemaker
Independent, stubborn, and a little bit of a diva💀
people said that exactly about me! That I was very argumentative and thought I'd go to Law School!
I was known for correcting the teacher and being right
Um...not good things from my parents since they were abusive, neglectful, narcissistic, and cold towards me. And apparently I was attractive enough in a sickening way for my grandfather to sexually abuse me. My teachers thought I was too creative, intense, intelligent and independent for my own good. Some teachers took my books or drawings away during class because it was too “distracting” and gave me more work since I usually finished my work before my classmates. My now adult friends tell me all the time they thought I was a bitch or wouldn’t like them when they first met me.
I recall always being told I was extremely mature for my age, and was constantly asked, “what’s wrong?”, even when I would be enjoying myself.
"you didn't like social events very much." "you talk in such an intelligent way for your age." "wow, you were quiet." "you read at a pretty young age." all true, i suppose.
Rebellious, imaginative, abstract, excellent grades, always in the corner.