Interesting that an ISFP would retreat in like that, well from my limited knowledge of these things, but I think that is a fairly common thing to do. You talk about still being aware, how in detail would you describe that? Are you perhaps thinking about something going on in your life while at the same time taking in the details of what is around you, like you are caught between two worlds? Also do you feel at times that your Fi and Se are at odds with each other or partners in crime? I have read that ISFPs engage in the moment and look for opportunities for action? first of all, what does that exactly mean, looking for opportunities to engage with your immediate environment and how does this play out with your internal process? Thanks again.
Well first of all I think like @Yamato Yadeshiko mentioned, both Si and Fi are internal processes, so both ISFx's are primarily going to be internal first, and may get stuck in their heads or if not as balanced, not be as likely to engage externally. It really depends, there are all sorts of variations within each type. I mean, just a simple example, a self confident and energized ISFP who is fully immersed in doing something they love, or a job, or whatever, will be far less inclined to be 'in their head' a lot than an ISFP who doesn't have that. I think the same goes for ISFJ's, or maybe any introvert for that matter. An interaction between introverted and extroverted functions, both kind of working in accord, is probably when introverts are being fully actualized / at their best.
Yeah, re aware, I have always been an observer like I said, just taking things in around me, watching things, people, elements of nature, and so on. But especially if I'm just sitting somewhere people-watching, or when at school, just sitting in a classroom, I'd watch everything but might have running commentary in my head, observations, noting things, I don't know. If I am in full-on thinking-about-my-life mode, I'm not going to be observing so much, really -- but then in that instance I'm usually just sitting at home not doing much but contemplating about my life. Or something mindless like playing freecell on the computer while contemplating my life.
I'm not sure that Fi and Se are 'at odds' with one another for me, I think they can go hand in hand. When I'm at my best I think I AM open to engaging more on the spot and noticing opportunities. Also I think it's why I am good at my current job as a barista -- I'm constantly adapting to the situation and very in-the-moment, seeing where there are gaps and immediately filling them / instantaneously shifting a gear. While in that sort of situation, there's very little ability to 'be in my head' -- I'm fully present in the moment and focusing on what needs to be done. Whereas SJ's in this environment have the ability to do the job, I notice a difference between them and I is that they tend to get externally rather frazzled and their stress exudes from them; I kind of hunker down and remain calm (even if there's an underlying 'stress' feeling, I don't think my blood pressure rises to the extent theirs does), just flow.
Another example of engaging with immediate environment, hmm, I think just generally not having a super defined 'plan' for my hiking/camping trip over the next several days is a good example, there are lots of variables and so I am going to have to play it by ear tonight re where I will be camping, depending on time, driving, weigh options if sites are full, time crunch re sunset and whatnot -- there will be potentially a lot of on the fly adapting. Same with hikes themselves - I have a pretty solid idea for one day hike but going to play the rest by ear because need input from friend / weather dependent, haven't been to the area so might whimsically see a really good option I wasn't aware of, depending on both of our moods I might throw out an idea on way home of doing a side trip somewhere else but who knows what we'll be feeling by that point, etc. So yeah, for me 'engaging in immediate environment' can boil down to 'what is the situation right now at this very minute?' and maybe shift gears then and there.
Also engaging in immediate moment, I do it every day when driving. Might immediately shift my route home if I notice certain traffic patterns.
Those are super easy/tangible examples.
Extroversion is also more complex in a broader sense, though, but still I think it's always working with the here and now and being able to recognize opportunities. It's very set on what's the situation now, what can I actually do, what is there to work with; vs Ne which is more about any and all possibilities and Ideas and patterns (vs tangible realities). Is also an interest in and maybe hunger for new experiences, maybe prioritizing experience itself. If locked fully in Fi/introversion, one might lose sight of that and just sit there stuck in ones' head, vs engaging more and simply trying/Doing things/learning as one goes. Se when working in tandem with Fi I think finetunes Fi and gives needed information to FiNi --- without Se there's a vacuum and FiNi just spins in own little world of idealism or uncertainty or melancholy or paranoia or inertness. In short - Fi I think gives me my foundation of what's important to me, but without Se and actually trying things out and doing things, there are still too many uncertainties and question marks -- so engaging and learning via getting real-world data via Se is super critical in finetuning Fi and even potentially shifting understandings of who I am and what I want out of life.
Sorry for the ridiculous ramble. I've learned over time that to some I can seem really vague/cryptic (inner thoughts can be hard to articulate, but irl when in the here and now I'm really pretty straightforward, not wordy, and no-nonsense), so hopefully with all of that writing something will make sense.
