How to Deal with Everyday Stress as an ISTJ
As most of you know, 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. ISTJ stands for Introversion, Sensing, Thinking and Judging. Traits of the ISTJ personality type are:
- Honest
- Responsible
- Practical
- Stubborn
- Strong-Willed
- Calm
- Jack-of-all-Trades
If you’re an ISTJ (Pixie Type: Classic Structure), odds are high that you’re incredibly hard-working and loyal. You always finish what you start, are rarely described as a slacker and you are a dependable friend. You feel best about life when striving toward a goal and getting things done. You love being organized and always try to create routine and structure in your life. When it comes to home and life issues, ISTJs probably have the easiest time running a home, managing a family, and getting things done. You were born with the skills needed to run a tight ship no matter what the ship. The only area ISTJs tend to have trouble with is the big picture skills needed for the grand scheme of things. But everyone has their struggles and personal turmoil, so how can an ISTJ get through life’s ups and downs?
Health Issues
When you’re sick it makes it harder to stay organized. In addition, medical appointments and visits come with a lot of paperwork that can wreak havoc on your normal organizational system. We had one client who had two folders almost six inches thick of old medical records from an issue he had. Often you’re sick, dealing with annoying insurers, with no ability to find the physical energy required to keep your life in order. This issue is a challenge for anybody, not just ISTJS. So how do you deal? How do you get through it? 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. You’ll be back at it before you know it!
Moving
Once you’re done with dorm rooms, it takes a lot longer than one day and a few friends to move. You have to make sure you’re setting aside enough time to unpack and organize if you can’t handle the idea of living in limbo for awhile (which is not an ideal situation for an ISTJ). So give yourself more time than you think you need to finish. Remember, you’re not done until your decor is also done. Hire help if it’s taking too long.
Marriage and Cohabitation
Moving in with a spouse can be a doozy, especially when you have clashing personality types. It’s a minefield: moving, negotiating what stays, what goes; and the compromises involved. We won’t even get into the closet space issue. A good rule of thumb to remember here is that less is more. Purge and store whatever you can’t get the other person so purge.
Having Kids
First comes the baby, then comes the carriage…then the blankets, clothes, toys, stuffed animals: then it just multiples from there. In fact, it was having children that got us into this business in the first place! Children might be one of the hardest things to deal with organizationally, because their needs are constantly growing and changing. As an ISTJ you’ll set up tons of great systems for your little critters; 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- and the grand scheme as well!
Bottom Line
Change is unsettling as it makes life feel out of your control; while technically this is always true, you appreciate when the facade is place. The one thing you don’t want to do in these situations is to give up on maintenance. For an ISTJ, taking control of your surroundings is like therapy. It feels good and is why you’re so good at maintenance 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. Finally, remember that your strengths are organizing, finishing things, being on time, attending to details, and planning ahead. 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 afterall!
Wondering how to handle the other things that life throws at you? Or how best to organize your home as an ISTJ? You can buy our book on Amazon here.