Jelena Dincic
Do you always go the extra mile to take care of your loved ones, often putting their needs before your own?
Do you find fulfillment in being there for others during their times of need?
If you answered “yes” without hesitation, that’s because you are an ESFJ (Extraverted, Observant, Feeling, and Judging) personality.
In this article, we’ll look at 10 signs that prove you’re an ESFJ, one of the most caring and empathetic personality types out there.
Here we go:
1) You’re sensitive to other people’s needs and feelings
You’re often the first to notice when someone is feeling sad, anxious, or needs help.
That’s because you’re a highly empathetic person with an extraordinary ability to tune into other people’s emotions.
You’re able to put yourself in their shoes and really feel what they’re going through as if you were going through it yourself.
What’s more, you’re always there to support and comfort the people you love. You make them feel valued, understood, and loved and that makes you a caring and trusted friend.
Well, guess what?
It’s the first sign you’re an ESFJ. This personality type is known for being highly sensitive to the needs and feelings of those around them.
2) You enjoy helping others
Do you often find yourself smiling and feeling genuine happiness after helping someone out?
That’s another sign that you’re the most caring and empathetic personality type!
You see, one of the greatest sources of joy for ESFJs is helping others.
It’s true.
Think about it: You find fulfillment and a sense of purpose when you can be of service – whether it’s volunteering in a soup kitchen or providing emotional support to friends and strangers alike.
To you, helping others is the most natural thing in the world and you don’t understand how some people think of it as a chore or duty that they have to perform.
Plus, you’d never expect anything in return, knowing that you’ve made a positive impact on someone’s life is enough.
3) You’re a natural caregiver
I bet you used to like playing doctor as a kid. Your dolls and even pets were constantly being taken care of by you.
Am I right?
As a natural caregiver, you’re the go-to person when someone needs a listening ear or shoulder to cry on.
Just think about all the times you provided emotional support to a friend who was going through a breakup.
You’d spend hours on the phone with them, have sleepovers, watch romcoms, and eat tons of ice cream. Anything to help them through a very painful period in their life.
Your caregiving nature is one of your defining traits and another sign that you’re an ESFJ.
4) You just want to be liked
You want people to like you and to see what a good person you are. You want them to seek out your company.
I get it.
In fact, you’ll go to great lengths to get people to like you, including doing lots of favors and working really hard to foster positive relationships.
That’s typical ESFJ behavior.
Luckily for you, your warm and caring personality makes it easy for people to connect with you, so you rarely come across someone who doesn’t like you.
5) You have a strong need for approval and recognition
Carrying on from the previous point, as someone who needs to be liked, you’re constantly looking for validation.
You thrive on positive feedback and recognition. It only makes sense that someone like you would seek approval.
And while you don’t expect anything in return for your kindness, you would like it to be noticed by others – you want people to see how good you are.
You don’t do things to show off and get praise, but you definitely like it when your efforts are recognized and appreciated.
6) You’re sensitive to unkindness
This is something I can relate to 100%.
In fact, over the past few days I’ve been wondering why I can’t just be immune to unkindness or indifference from others.
Mean and insensitive people really get to me, always have…
And if you’re like me, then your compassionate nature means you’re sensitive to negative interactions, you get easily hurt, and take everything to heart.
Your sensitivity is part of the burden of being an ESFJ.
7) You’re a social creature
If you’re an ESFJ, then you’re an extrovert.
You love spending time with your friends and family. You love going out and meeting new people.
You simply thrive in social settings.
Being around other people gives you energy and makes you feel alive. You’re usually the one who brings people together.
Throwing dinner parties is one of your favorite past-times and you’ll spend days preparing the menu, music list, decorations, guest list, etc., as you eagerly await for the day to come.
8) You’re an active listener
One of the reasons people feel like they can talk to you is because they know they have your full attention.
And I’m not just talking about your friends and family, or other people you know, I mean complete strangers.
This is something that happens to me, people I barely know will suddenly open up to me and share some pretty heavy personal experiences.
So why do they do that?
Because we’re attentive. We really listen when people speak and we don’t judge. We try to understand what they’re going through and how that makes them feel.
9) You need peace and harmony
Do you hate conflict and will do anything to avoid it?
I hear you!
In fact, conflict avoidance is a common trait among ESFJs.
You need peace and harmony in your life, that’s why you like to resolve issues through open communication and compromise, not confrontations.
Simply put, maintaining balance in your relationships is of utmost importance to you.
10) You have a high emotional intelligence
Turns out that there are several types of intelligence. It’s not all about being book smart.
You can also have emotional intelligence. That’s usually what sets ESFJs apart.
You’re good at reading non-verbal cues, navigating complex social situations, and understanding other people.
Your ability to intuitively grasp emotions and respond compassionately is something you bring to every interaction.
Final thoughts
If you’ve recognized yourself in many of the signs outlined in this article, it’s because you are in fact an ESFJ, a personality type known for its caring and empathetic nature.
Embrace these qualities that make you unique, and continue to be kind, compassionate, and supportive. We need people like you in the world!
And while it can sometimes be emotionally draining, your ability to connect with others on a deep emotional level is a true gift and something that sets you apart as a truly remarkable individual.
