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Turbulent Campaigners (ENFP-T) and Relationship Codependency: Love Is (Not) All You Need

Brie 10 comments

Campaigners (ENFP) just might be one of the most easily lovestruck personality types. They get a thrill out of forming deep connections with everyone from casual friends to coworkers. But with a romantic partner? That’s an experience that Campaigners would say just can’t be beat. People with this personality type bring unparalleled enthusiasm and optimism to romance – they truly love love.

However, while still excited about their relationships, Turbulent Campaigners (ENFP-T) tend to navigate relationships with a bundle of insecurities that Assertive Campaigners (ENFP-A) rarely have. And in some cases, these insecurities can trigger codependent beliefs and behaviors.

Codependency is where one person “needs” to be needed by another person and adopts a caretaker or savior role in the relationship. This dynamic is almost always harmful to both people involved, even when the codependent partner has good intentions. As we discuss in this article, the Feeling and Turbulent traits align with many codependent tendencies.

Like many other Feeling personalities, Turbulent Campaigners are highly empathetic toward the needs of others. And they often work extra hard to meet the needs of their partner. They don’t mean to be excessive – they’re just feeding off of the energy that they get from being in love. At some point, though, Turbulent Campaigners’ passion can give way to codependency.

Staving Off Loneliness

Turbulent Campaigners’ interest in other people is sincere. But they may sometimes dial up their attentiveness toward others out of the insecurities that they experience in relationships. At their core, people with this personality type just want to be liked. They’re among the most likely types to say they often fear being rejected by others. And when they are rejected, they’re intensely impacted by it, according to our “Rejection” survey. As a result, they may go above and beyond to avoid rejection during the dating stage.

Even when already in a relationship, Turbulent Campaigners may adopt some people-pleasing behaviors to avoid rocking the boat and risking being broken up with. As one of the least likely types to say they’re good at coping with loneliness, they may put a great deal of effort into repairing a damaged relationship – or even staying in one that they’re unhappy in, all to avoid being alone.

For people with this personality type, it can feel like their identity depends on how much others like and need them. This is a common feeling for people who struggle with codependency too. If Turbulent Campaigners aren’t careful, their approval-seeking could quickly sour the kind of loving romance that they long for.

Boundless Love

Wearing your heart on your sleeve can be a sign of security in relationships, and it’s one that most Turbulent Campaigners gladly embrace. People with this personality type are known for being expressive, sentimental, and affectionate, sometimes to the point of being overtaken by the love that they feel. But, usually, they don’t mind – they like getting swept up in romance. This is especially true in the beginning stages of dating. Most people with this personality type say they enjoy flirting when someone catches their eye, agreeing at a higher rate than other Turbulent types. And, according to our “Falling in Love” survey, they’re also one of the most likely types to say falling in love is the best part of a relationship.

For Turbulent Campaigners, riding the waves of love might seem like harmless fun. It’s hard to find fault with their behavior, especially when they’re showing genuine care for their partner or love interest. But they may lose sight of boundaries and relationship red flags, especially in early courtship. As one of the most optimistic personalities, Turbulent Campaigners might not notice if they act in codependent ways or see just how harmful those behaviors can be. At times, they may even believe that the unhealthy enmeshment that develops in codependent relationships is just part of being devoted to a partner.

Selflessly Sacrificing

In codependent relationships, one person focuses nearly all their attention on caring for their partner, leaving little care for themselves. Many Turbulent Campaigners can identify with this pattern. Campaigners in general tend to overanalyze what others are feeling and thinking, sometimes to the detriment of their own well-being. And in ruminating over what their partner really wants, they might grow disconnected from what they really want.

This might be why Turbulent Campaigners are far more likely than average to say they sacrifice more for others than for themselves. They’re also one of the most likely personalities to say they usually feel bad after acting selfishly. However, this becomes problematic when self-care is mistaken for being selfish. This mix-up could lead people with this personality type to neglect themselves, all the while giving their full attention to their significant other. And that, in many cases, can be a recipe for a codependent relationship.

Conclusion: Creating Connection without Codependency

Turbulent Campaigners live for the sweep-you-off-your-feet romance that they dream of. And they’ll stop at almost nothing to try to turn their fantasy relationship into a reality. They happily devote themselves to love, often accommodating their partner’s needs while overlooking their own. For many people with this personality type, few things matter more than winning over their loved one.

This attitude can play out in ways that look a lot like codependency – which can wreck the very relationship that Turbulent Campaigners try so hard to create. But as we discussed in our first article on codependency, there are several ways to unravel codependency in favor of a healthier form of dependence. If lovestruck Turbulent Campaigners learn how to balance love for another person with love for themselves, they may form even deeper connections than they ever thought possible.

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