How to Deal With Everyday Stress as an ISFJ
So many of us are searching for the organization holy grail- one perfect system that can grow forever with our life. But it’s a pipe dream. Life is a moving, growing, changing experience by definition, and so is organization.
How you manage these stressful changing times is based on your personality. Here we will take a look at how ISFJs can best deal with everyday organizational stresses.
All About the ISFJ
If you weren’t aware of this already, the Myers-Briggs system was integral in our creation of the four pixie types. There are 16 different Myers-Briggs personality types, all identified by different letter combinations. These letters are: E/I, S/N, T/F, and J/P. They stand for Extraversion versus Introversion, Sensing versus Intuition, Thinking versus Feeling, and Judging versus Perceiving. ISFJ stands for Introversion, Sensing, Feeling and Judging. Traits of the ISFJ personality type are:
- Supportive
- Reliable
- Patient
- Imaginative
- Loyal
- Hard-Working
- Observant
Even though ISFJs (Pixie Type: Classic Freedoms) are sensitive, you have excellent analytical abilities. You are reserved while still maintaining well-developed people skills and an active social life. ISFJs are open to new ideas, flexible and receptive to change. You are often meticulous and borderline perfectionists. And though you guys tend to procrastinate, you know you still always get the job done on time as you take responsibilities personally and often go above and beyond. You are people pleasers who do everything to exceed expectations and light up the lives of the people in your life.
You are a master organizer, but when times get tough it can fall to the wayside which can make everything seem worse. Here’s how an ISFJ can deal with everyday stress like a pro!
Raising Kids
First comes the baby then comes the carriage…then the blankets, clothes, toys, stuffed animals; then it just multiplies from there. Children might be one of the hardest things to deal with organizationally because their needs are constantly growing and changing. But ISFJs set up a ton of great systems for their kids. Just know that you’ll have more stuff than you prefer as long as you have kids living with you. Remember to plan for not only right now, but the not-so-distant future- the grand scheme.
Money Troubles
We’re sure many people have dealt with financial hardships over the last decade. When it happens, you feel out of control, zapped of energy and the ability to keep and stay organized. Keeping your kitchen organized might be the last thing you want to do, let alone the home office and all the bills piling up. But unlike uncertain financial times, your home, if you’re not in danger of losing it, is a place that you can control and keep as tidy as possible. So, take charge of your life ISFJ! Purge, and organize things even if it means jerry-rigging until you can make organizational purchases. Dude, sell things and make some money!
Health Issues
When you’re sick, whether it’s a physical or mental impediment, it makes it that much harder to stay organized even if you’re already organized in the first place. In addition, medical stuff comes with loads of paperwork that can wreak havoc on your normal paperwork system. Dealing with annoying insurers is tough, with no ability to find the physical energy required to keep your organizational systems in working order. We get it! This situation is challenging for anybody so try to let go of some of the less-important organizing details and routines. Ask for help, and accept that nobody is going to do it as well as you do.
Remodeling
A remodel is essentially three moves in one. You have to create temporary organizational systems for goodness knows how long, as contractors tend to have personality types that don’t accurately predict how long projects will take. Then, once it’s done, you have to redo your organizational systems again. So take a deep breath ISFJ and you will get through it. Create temporary systems that keep things hidden- the mess of a remodel will already be visually overwhelming- then try your best to pretend that you’re an alien species and living in sawdust and disorder doesn’t bother you. It’ll be over soon.
Bottom Line
The one thing you don’t want to do in these situations is to give up on maintenance. For an ISFJ, taking control of your surroundings is like therapy. It feels good and it’s why you’re so good at it in the first place! But when you’re beyond overwhelmed, take a mental health day or two before getting back to it- or hire someone to help you. Organizational therapy isn’t as much about doing the straightening and organizing as it is enjoying it. Remember that your strengths are organizing, finishing things, being on time, attending to details, and planning ahead. You’re not OCD: you keep the trains running on time! Use your powers to their fullest and remember to schedule some R&R throughout your week. Rome wasn’t built in a day.