ISFJs are characterized above all by their desire to serve others, their "need to be needed." In extreme cases, this need is so strong that standard give-and-take relationships are deeply unsatisfying to them; however, most ISFJs find more than enough with which to occupy themselves within the framework of a normal life.
Commentary: I have such a need to be needed, and I also thrive in relationships where I am needed because I absolutely hate give-and-take type relationships. I also really do find things to occupy myself because I am so amused by a lot of things
ISFJs are often unappreciated, at work, home, and play. Ironically, because they prove over and over that they can be relied on for their loyalty and unstinting, high-quality work, those around them often take them for granted--even take advantage of them.
Commentary: The funny thing is that I have had people tell me this before.
And although they're hurt by being treated like
Commentary: I for sure have these feelings and I also struggle with psychosomatic illnesses.
ISFJs are also good with people in small-group or one-on-one situations because of their patient and genuinely sympathetic approach to dealing with others.
Commentary: I am a lot better with small-group situations and I feel so sympathetic towards others.
While their work ethic is high on the ISFJ priority list, their families are the centers of their lives. ISFJs are extremely warm and demonstrative within the family circle--and often possessive of their loved ones, as well.
Commentary: Family is so so important to me and I am very possessive of my loved ones.
When these include Es who want to socialize with the rest of the world, or self-contained ITs, the ISFJ must learn to adjust to these behaviors and not interpret them as rejection.
Commentary: Oh my goodness, I struggle with this so much!
Being SJs, they place a strong emphasis on conventional behavior (although, unlike STJs, they are usually as concerned with being "nice" as with strict propriety); if any of their nearest and dearest depart from the straight-and-narrow, it causes the ISFJ major embarrassment: the closer the relationship and the more public the act, the more intense the embarrassment (a fact which many of their teenage children take gleeful advantage of).
Commentary: Spot on...
An adult ISFJ may drive a (later ashamed) friend or SO into a fit of temper over the ISFJ's unexplained moodiness, only afterwards to explain about a death in the family they "didn't want to burden anyone with."
Commentary: I for sure do this, and I get rather annoyed by it.
I suppose it's the auxiliary nature of this Feeling, coupled with the balancing effect of {detachment from the internal idiosyncratic view of free-floating data perceptions} that makes ISFJs tentative, conservative, and reticent to boldly state the rights and wrongs in the relational world.
Commentary: This actually is a great description of how I have been feeling a lot lately and I hate expressing my opinions of the rights an wrongs in the relational world.
Perhaps this explains why ISFJs are loyal to the end; there is no sense of purely objective (i.e., impersonal) judgement of anyone but themselves (and that only by their own standards). Here is this type's achilles heel that makes many of them so vulnerable to the scoundrels and ne’er-do-wells who often use and abuse them.
Commentary: I am loyal until the end and I usually always blame myself for the losing of a relationship. I am so vulnerable and often abused because of this.
My Favorite Affirmation:
This person said I was Empathetic, Compassionate, Trustworthy and Intelligent.
This person wrote, "Bryce has a gift of putting others at ease by letting them know they are safe with her. Disarmingly real, Bryce shows people that there is no danger of recieving judgement from her because she has been through plenty of her own challenges. She is an excellent listener, and anyone who opens up to her will leave, feeling enriched by her abundant compassion. Bryce is also a fantastic worker: she is responsible, hard-working, reliable and trustworthy. If there is a job to be done, she is sure to get it done promptly and do it well. I learned this through the wonderful experience of having her as a T. A. Bryce is passionate as well. She cares so deeply for people and for helping others find a 'good way'. Through her own experiences, her faith has been tried and proven true. This enables her to listen to others and give them very real hope, devoid of trite phrases. She has been THROUGH it, and she lets you know you'll get through it too. I could see her as an awesome social worker or counselor. I love her! :)"
