This is the final part of my cognitive function guide and I'll talk about loops and grips, how to get out of them, and also how to develop your weak functions.

What is a loop?
A loop is when you ignore your auxiliary function and instead jump between your dominant and tertiary functions. Because your tertiary function is often undeveloped, you may ineffectively use the function or only display the bad treats of this function.
Looping can happen because you feel stressed or are handling problems. Your dominant function tries to solve a problem but can't so it jumps to the territory function because it's usually problem-solving. The tertiary function is weak and sends the problem back to the dominant and the loop goes on. It's often because introverts/extroverts don't want to step out of their comfort zones.
A dom-inf loop is also possible but less common.
A looping ENTP's stack would look like this:
NE
Ti
FE
SI

A looping ISFJ's stack would look like this:
Si
Fe
Ti

Ne

The ENTP (NE-FE loop) would overly seek others' opinions on their ideas and distrust their own logic. They'd also use unhealthy FE like manipulate others for their own gains.
The ISFJ (SI-TI loop) would be more distant and reserved and ignore their feeling side. They'd be less empathetic and try to show off their intelligence for praise.

How to get out of a loop?
Loops are something you eventually have to and will get out of because it's an unhealthy use of your functions. You'd either have no inner world (extroverts) or isolate from the outer world (introverts).
You can get out of a loop by trying to get in touch with your auxiliary function side.

Example: An ENFP in a loop would ignore their Fi while making decisions and instead use unhealthy Te. To get out of the loop they can take time to examine their values and beliefs before making a decision (instead of choosing the easiest option or only trusting hard facts) and also listen more to their emotions instead of suppressing them.

What is a grip?
Grips are also called "grip stress" and can occur when you're overwhelmed or overly stressed.
In a grip, you'll try to solve your problem with your dominant, auxiliary, and inferior functions but neither of them is working because you're drained.
That's when your inferior function - that you never considered a solution - comes up and dominates over the other functions -  it tries to solve the problem by itself. The problem is that this function is very undeveloped and weak, you'd use the function very unhealthy. The inferior function will not be consistent but it will work in bursts. You'll basically act like an unhealthy version of your opposite type.

Example: An INxJ in a SE grip might binge eat, be very impulsive and engage in dangerous activities, and ignore their intuition and just focus on acting.

How to get out of a grip?
First, you'll have to remove the origin of the grip if possible. For example, remove the source of stress so the inferior function doesn't get more triggered.
Then you'll basically have to stop relying that much on your inferior function and interact more with your upper functions, preferably starting with the dominant function.

Example: A Ni-dom in a grip would have to stop acting impulsively and start thinking about and planning their future, a good method is to set up goals. Instead of just taking in everything unfiltered they'll have to look for meanings behind things in everyday life.

Loops vs Grips
Now you might think that my descriptions of loops and grips sound quite similar? What is the difference between them?
The key difference is that looping is when you constantly go back and forth between two functions but a grip is when your inferior function tries to do all the work.
Unlike gripping, loops are not always unhealthy. Loops can benefit you as long as you don't fully lose contact with your auxiliary function.
Example: For ExSPs it can sometimes be good to ignore their Fi, for example when dealing with harsh people.
However, gripping will never be healthy, your inferior function is simply too weak to take the dominant function's place. A Ne-dom would obsess or over-worry about the future to a point when it's unhealthy. They would be overly freaked out over being messy and missing details.

How do develop weak functions? Why would you want that?
So I've been talking about weak functions (tert and inf + shadows) and how they can cause trouble. You might think that you can't change it, but developing your weak functions is fully possible! It's recommended to focus on your functions in your stacks instead of shadow functions because they play a bigger role in your personality.
You can also develop your functions to get out of a loop/grip.
In the next slides, I'll be talking briefly about developing each function.

FE: Talk more about your feelings with others instead of suppressing them. Start volunteering and helping others, listen to others' problems and try to help them.
FI: Think about how you're feeling before making decisions: "What matters to me? How do I feel about this? What do I value the most?"
TE: Try to be more assertive in daily life, take charge and be a leader with confidence. Rely more on data and facts to back you up. Share your plans and thoughts with people around you.
TI: Challenge your brain with problems like puzzles and riddles. Research something interesting until you understand everything. Stop and observe situations in an objective light instead of being influenced by emotions. Make up your own logic instead of being influenced by others' opinions or facts.

NE: Engage in creative activities. Try something new; step out of your comfort zone. Think about what and how you can change your life, think about all the possible ways you can do it.
NI: Try to figure someone out (for example in public) based on how they look. Think about the deeper meanings and symbols of for example a book. Take many ideas and put them into one big idea. Think about the future and what can happen.
SE: Try out a physical hobby like a sport or painting. Go out and focus and be aware of your surroundings without reflecting too much; live in the moment. Follow some of your impulses, for example, go out and have fun without any plans,
SI: Look back on your own memories and think about how it felt back then. Revisit old nostalgic places and think about what you did there. Try to stick with the safe instead of feeling the need for novelty.