After doing the personality test suggested by Madeline, I received the result of I S F J. I was not at all surprised by the fact that the test said that I am an introvert, as I am very obviously an introverted individual. I have always been able to relate more with myself than others. I enjoy my own company and am comfortable being alone. I am, for the most part, very in touch with my feelings and emotions. The sensate aspect was also not too much of a surprise as I very much need to physically interact with things in order to understand and appreciate them. I was also aware that I would mostly be of a feeling personality. As mentioned previously, I am aware of my emotions and know how to deal with them through experience. I have a close relationship with myself, further enforcing my introverted nature. The analysis of my results reveals that I am a “protector” or “guardian.” The primary interests of protectors are “the safety and security of those they care about.” According to my results, “protectors have an extraordinary sense of loyalty and responsibility in their makeup.” This analysis seems accurate to my personality and I am satisfied with what the test discovered. It was an interesting thing to do and helped to reinforce my own perspective of myself.
For my creative act, I wanted to tap into the aspects of personality that are not predominantly in my character – specifically being extroverted. In order to do this, I decided to undertake the task first started by Juan Mann: the Free Hugs Campaign. Juan’s goal was to reach out to others and brighten their days through a simple act of kindness. He believes that, “Sometimes, a hug is all what we need.” He began the campaign when he returned from London back to Sydney and felt out of place in his own town. He wanted companionship and thus the Free Hugs Campaign was born.
I wanted to attempt this experiment not only to access the extroverted side to my personality (however small it may be), but to also see that aspect in other people as well. It doesn’t only require the one initiating the free hugs to be extroverted. It also takes courage on the part of the person welcoming the hug.
After doing this, I felt liberated and opened up to the love that other people have to offer. I really was able to reach into myself and understand more about why I am introverted. It was a somewhat therapeutic exercise for me to complete, as I was given insight into myself. It also related to my sensate and feeling personality because it was a physical and emotional activity to take on. I enjoy direct interaction with people and the responses I received were very touching.
Although many people believe that this experiment is widely overdone, I strongly disagree. Hugs are a very encouraging, supportive, and emotionally affectionate thing to experience and I cannot understand how they could possibly be overused. Juan Mann is a huge inspiration to me and I am glad that I got the chance to further his campaign by applying it to my own life.
