Now that we’ve gone over the “lesser villains” wreaking havoc in our heads, I think it’s time for us to address what you might refer to as the Big Boss (and possibly my favorite topic of discussion).
While the loop and grip take over under specific circumstances and behave in definitive ways, with clear remedies, the Core Fears are much more insidious due to the fact that they are always present. They function as a constant threat, guiding your actions and influencing your mentality at all times.
So, what exactly are these fears? Where do they come from? How do they work?
Well, similarly to how the inferior function of your cognition stack mirrors and connects with your primary function, the Core Fears are directly attached to the heart of your type, often using your natural weakest points (and consequent insecurities) to discredit and tear down the parts of you that are strongest.
And while anyone of any type can experience any and all of them, each type has its own deepest, most compelling fear above all others.
Most of the time they don’t pose much danger.. while they’re lurking in the shadows. They wait until you’re vulnerable. When you’re weakened, provoked, or have made a mistake. That’s when they sink their claws into you, taking control before you have any clue what’s happening as you begin to spiral.
The Core Fears are tricky.. Different, unique for each type, tailored to attack the strongest of your cognition while taking advantage of the weakest. Operating in such a way that even if you’re aware of what’s going on, if you can focus your attention on it in the very moment it’s influencing you, even the strongest of wills find it difficult to break free.
The unfortunate thing is, hardly anyone is aware of this sneaking viper in the depths of their mind, just waiting to strike! So when push comes to shove, they fall right into it.. which can result in all kinds of horrible manifestations of the fear. Though they do tend to go down two general styles: Passive, or Aggressive.
Regardless of the particular Core Fear affecting you, depending on the individual they may manifest in a sense of defeat and submission to the fear, or by denying it and projecting that fear on everyone and everything else.
A tragic consequence of falling victim to the fears and being enveloped in their various manifestations is that it tends to cause you to bury, reject, and even work against the parts of you that shine the brightest, those aspects of you that are most genuine, natural, and powerful.
It’s as though the fears have a strong sense of irony, pushing you to forsake your true self and all you have to offer to the world.. blinded by shame, guilt, or any other tool that will break you down.
But I have a very optimistic view of these troublemakers! I believe that these little monsters inside us serve the express purpose of challenging all of us to become everything we could be if only we dare rise to the occasion.
Designed specifically to zero in on the weakest links in your mind, and to take advantage of you when you’re at your most vulnerable, these forces present the ultimate, eternal opportunity for growth through overcoming the hurdles that your own cognition sets up against you. An omnipresent threat keeping you on your toes, urging you ever onward and upward.
The reality of these slippery complex fears, with their many varieties and paths it leads you down, also presents you with the path of heroism, where you may rise above them, and truly take ownership of yourself!
So, without any further adieu..
Drum roll please!
Presenting, the *terrible* Core Fears!
INFJ – “I’m too unusual to be liked” Alienation Dread – Prince Zuko (ATLA)
INTJ – “I’m personally responsible for everything” Ultimate Responsibility – Arthas Menethil (Warcraft)
INFP – “I’m out of touch with reality” Ideological Possession – Arthur Fleck (Joker)
INTP – “I must be perfect no matter what” Perfection Obsession – L (Death Note)
ENFJ – “None of my actions makes a difference” Altruism Burnout – Daenerys Targaryen (GoT)
ENTJ – “My thoughts must be heard” Spotlight Craving – Katsuki Bakugou (Hero Academia)
ENFP – “Nothing I feel matters” Invalidation Complex – Michael Scott (The Office)
ENTP – “I’m not good at being good” Inherently Bad – Captain Jack Sparrow (PoTC)
ISFJ – “I’m nothing special” Ordinarity Fear – Master Chief (Halo)
ISTJ – “Stick to what’s familiar” Deviation Aversion – Violet Evergarden
ISFP – “All I hold dear will disappear” Preservation Desperation – Wilson Fisk (Daredevil)
ISTP – “I don’t belong anywhere” Outcast Superiority – Wolverine (X-Men)
ESFJ – “I must work harder to keep up” Mediocrity Rush – Rock Lee (Naruto)
ESTJ – “I’m not meaningful” Wisdom Longing – Donald Trump
ESFP – “Nothing matters in the end” Hedonistic Resignation – Jesse Pinkman (Breaking Bad)
ESTP – “I’m not smart enough” Intellect Anxiety – Gaston (Beauty & The Beast)
To wrap up, I must thank the fantastic Calise & Justin of ALBoP, as I had learned much from them, the Core Fears being my take on their “Type Angsts”. I encourage you all to check them out, and of course stay tuned as we dive deeper into the individual fears, what they look like, how they work, and of course some spicy examples in fiction!
-Empathine
