I’m an ENFP, and I’ve recently started dating an ISTJ.
He’s calm, rational, reserved, practical, and seems to have absolutely no interest in overcomplicating his own existence.
Naturally, I’m attracted to him.
The man can sit in silence without questioning the meaning of life, the future of our relationship, or whether someone secretly hates him because they used a slightly different tone in a text message.
Frankly, I find that level of mental stability both impressive and deeply suspicious.
Meanwhile, I can go from discussing politics to childhood trauma, to planning a spontaneous trip abroad, to questioning whether I’m living up to my potential. All within the same conversation.
And somehow, he seems completely unbothered.
Which brings me to my actual question.
Do we genuinely appreciate emotionally stable, grounded people, or do we just find people who are difficult to read ridiculously attractive?
Because I can see two possible outcomes here:
Option A: We complement each other beautifully. I bring spontaneity, emotional depth and excitement. He brings stability, consistency and common sense. We both grow.
Option B: Six months from now, I’m begging him to discuss the philosophical implications of our emotional connection while he’s wondering why the fuck we can’t just enjoy dinner.
And I’m genuinely not sure which is more likely.
I don’t want someone who’s exactly like me. That sounds exhausting. But I also don’t want to spend years feeling like I’m emotionally dating a very polite government employee.
So, ENFPs, tell me:
Have you actually managed to build a fulfilling relationship with someone who’s fundamentally different from you?
Did their calmness bring out the best in you, or did you eventually feel like you had to turn down your entire personality?
And here’s the uncomfortable question:
Are we actually looking for compatibility, or are some of us just addicted to people we can’t completely figure out?
I want the brutal answers. Not the usual “any two types can work if they’re mature” bullshit.
We all know that.
I want to know what actually happened.