More insights from an ISFJ
Alright. Here's some of what my type means to me. Some of this sounds stereotypically INFP, but really isn't. So, INFPs...think about this. If you see a lot of yourself, then consider this type.
Si
I'm Queen of Nostalgia. I hold on to everything that reminds me of old times, good and bad. I'm always thinking about my past, and if I'm not careful, I can get stuck there in obsessive reflection. All that thinking makes me very self-aware. I love to make up my own traditions, and adhere to the ones that bring me joy. If my family does something every Thanksgiving, then I always want to do it that way, even if a more intriguing opportunity arises. When something happens in my life, I remember the exact details. I can tell you the very day I had my first kiss, my first day in detention, my first period, the day in 7th grade I got in a fight with [classmate], the days I was admitted and discharged from the hospital, the day I saw a fight happen at my church, they start and end dates of all my romantic relationships. If I can't tell you the exact day, then I at least know the month and year. Every era in my life has its own distinct flavor and feel in my mind, almost like an emotional "scent." I could make a playlist with all the songs I listened to in every era from 6th grade on. I even named the different eras in my life. I love to listen to all the songs I used to listen to, in order to relive that time, but I'm afraid to do it too much; I don't want to tarnish the connections I have with the past. I never buy the same deodorant, shampoo, or conditioner twice, because I want to preserve them as unique artifacts of my personal history. The worst thing would be to merge new experiences into old ones - how, then, could I hold fast to my memories? Those ties would be forever lost.
Change can be difficult for me. I like being comfortable with what's safe and what's pleasant. My first reaction to change is, "Oh no!" If something is working well, I see little point in switching it up. That doesn't mean I hate progress - I love it! I just think that altering a system that is perfectly fine could likely throw things into chaos, and I just want to be peaceful, safe, and comfortable. Changes from book to movie and movie to book really bother me.
I'm a true romantic. I spend a lot of time in my head, lost, imagining the past and making up things that didn't even happen. I'm always going back to places from my past. I take walks to my old schools and wish I could relive a day or two there. I'm forever a childlike spirit, because deep down, I'm kind of afraid to grow up and leave everything that makes me feel alive. Part of me wants to become a teacher because I love being with kids - they remind me of my childhood, and it keeps me from growing old. I remember how I used to feel when I was in 5th grade, so I want to help people of that age because it's easier for me to empathize.
I feel very emotional when I see someone struggling with things I used to struggle with. I connect with hurting people by scanning my mind for times I felt that way. I'm extremely lazy and procrastinating, but I know exactly how I could get organized if I had the discipline. Why would I want to be rigid and organized when I could be relaxing in my happy place?
(I think happy places can be very Si, by the way.)
I have been keeping a journal every day for over three years, and I read these entries all the time. It's so rewarding to see how much I've grown and changed, to see how different I am now. I go through life at a slow, peaceful and gradual pace; sometimes it takes some sudden external stimuli (like a photo) to make me aware of how much has changed. I'm clumsy and not very observant, unless there's a change in something or someone I care about - then I notice pretty quickly.
I love telling stories about my past. I can become very animated and excited when I share and recall memories. I want to be alone a lot, though, because the world throws so much stimuli at me, and I need time to process and reflect when things are calm. I'm very sensitive in this way (an HSP). When someone hits me with major information, I freeze up and stare into the distance because it's just so much to chew on.
Fe
I'm an extremely emotional person, and my feelings tend to overflow. On the outside, I can seem calm and distant, sometimes even critical, but I'm very easily hurt and I'll cry when that happens. I don't go around telling everyone about myself, but the people very close to me - my three or four best friends - hear a whole lot about my emotions. I'm afraid of being a burden to them when it comes to feelings.
I'm a huge advocate for social change and justice for all. I reject many traditional values because they cause harm to people. I want the best for all people and for all humanity, so I do my best to champion what is right. I'm someone who believes world peace is possible, if we all just chip in and do what we know is good. This can make me very idealistic. I imagine how the world could be, and I try to work towards it. Sometimes I feel discouraged when nobody else seems to be even trying for a harmonious world.
I think a lot about other people's issues. What are their lives like? What are they feeling? I'm very curious about other people. Sometimes I wish I could be invisible and go home with them, just to see how they live. I can look around the big city and feel a sense of wistful sadness - there are so many people out there, and all I'll be is a tiny face in the crowd. The world is full of people who need compassion, and I just can't reach everyone.
I try to be a kind and good person above all, even in the little things. I smile at people when I make eye contact, apologize if I bump in to someone, and say thank you whenever it's necessary. It really upsets me when people don't do these things. Show some respect! Every small deed counts in the grand scheme of things.
I want to be who I am, who I was made to be. Nobody ever changed the world by being normal. We are all born with different gifts, and I want to encourage everyone to cultivate them.
I can walk into a room and feel what's going on with my heart, even if my head doesn't yet have knowledge. Maybe I am an empath. Being around so many people is very draining. It's so hard to constantly take in everyone's moods, feelings, and reactions. I become overloaded with Fe, and I need to go be alone to relax back into my Si and reflect. This happens a lot.
I offer myself out to people for them to talk, but I'm actually terrible with other people's feelings. I'm so comfortable with my own emotions, but with other people, there's a block. It hurts, because I want to help, but I'm just so internally-focused. One day I'll know just what to say. I hope.
Thank you PB for this A+ post.
