The first time I saw this meme, I gave a little "hmph" of agreement and thought, "So true."

I am trying to become more self-aware, day by day. Sometimes the results are encouraging, other times, not so much. One area of great focus is how others perceive me. What vibes am I putting off? How am I coming across to others?

While some people might be quick to point out that I shouldn’t care what others think, that’s not really what this is about.

I try to be very honest about how I’m feeling in the moment. I want my life to be authentic and transparent, to avoid misunderstandings and help build relationships that are as healthy as possible. Sounds great in theory, right?

But I know I do this thing where I’m totally silent and wholly lost in thought about something… maybe it’s when I’m hiking… furrowed brow, quickened pace… or at the lunch table at school… staring down at my food, blank expression on my face… I can only image how my body language appears. At these times, I feel as though people avoid me. I guess I’m coming across as angry or aloof, when in reality, more times than not, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Of course, the silent fury is real. But I could just as easily be throwing myself a raucous pity-party or stewing about how awful the last class was! The problem is, silent fury looks almost identical to my own contemplativeness. Like most good memes, it's funny because it's true.

What concerns me the most about this is missed opportunities—for conversation, for meeting someone new, for connection. I don't want people to see me in a way that isn't true. Authenticity matters deeply to me (as any INFJ will tell you, we can't stand façades and phonies). But opportunity matters just as deeply. Even as a strong introvert, I still like people... just in manageable doses.

On the flip side, for some of you introverts who are forced to be in public more than you’d like, this can be a powerful tool. People are less apt to approach you if it seems like maybe you want to bite a chunk of their face off!

Generally speaking, I just think this is another step in striving to be the best INFJ that I can be!

But seriously, may the odds be ever in your favor.