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infp vs isfj - part one
i've seen a lot of infps mistype or claim to also be isfj, and vice versa. i am here to debunk the myth that they are in anyway interchangeable or similar.
on the outside, yes, they are actually very similar. and on the inside, the idea of both appeals to them for a variety of reasons; the infp can easily see what they perceive to be the isfj side of them, and the isfj can easily see what they perceive to be the infp side of them. however, despite what they may think is similar about them, they are actually very different.
this is the first of a (possible) series of posts explaining why they are different.
WORK ETHIC
a commonality between isxj and inxp is that they both value the idea of structure - this is because of the isxj's dominant Si, and the inxp's tertiary Si. when a function is in the tertiary position, this means that the user strongly values and selectively (or wildly) uses the function.
the difference here with the Si is that if the inxp is long used to doing something the way they're doing it, they'll keep doing it that way. but the idea of doing it differently - or doing something else, something new - will occur to them frequently. the tertiary Si also operates in that even if the inxp actively uses their aux Ne on a regular basis - doing things, doing something new - and not only is this easy, but this is also fulfilling to them - they can still see the value and appreciation for structure, things that the way things are. the thing is, inxps actively get more fulfillment without structure, but also understand and value the necessity for structure.
on the other hand, isxjs ultimately get more fulfillment from structure than without. this doesn't mean that they're hypochondriacs and their life is organized, but they appreciate organization and efficiency in at least the smallest amounts. as long as their head feels secure in what they understand as organized and effective, it may not look like such to someone on the outside but on the inside their minds angled to their idea of structure.
thus, when their inferior Ne is in effect - when they lose what they perceive as understanding and solid ground - they come to feel displaced. whereas the inxp can probably easily cruise through an unstructured life - though this can lead to inaction or stubbornness in an unfulfilled life/wasted potential - the isxj can grow temperamental and worried. it's also entirely possible for them to try to organize on smaller scales, although this is also a possible trait for inxps. the thing is, though, an inxp will likely look more reckless while the isxj will feel more reckless. inxps are more "ugh i'll fix my life tomorrow" and isxjs are more "ugh why am i such a fuck up today"
obviously both mindsets can overlap and are not limited to this strictly, but in an unorganized life, an isxj may grow used to it but still panic, while inxps will just put off their anxieties, thinking they'll go away until they build up.
the best way to identify if you're an isfj or an infp, in my opinion, is to objectively look at your past experiences. did you do better when there was a routine/structure you understood? or did you do better when you were left to your own devices to improvise on your own? think about where you felt more inclined, more comfortable! an infp may be prone to answer both (because of their tertiary Si), but an isfj will likely settle easier into the idea of a routine.
on the outside, yes, they are actually very similar. and on the inside, the idea of both appeals to them for a variety of reasons; the infp can easily see what they perceive to be the isfj side of them, and the isfj can easily see what they perceive to be the infp side of them. however, despite what they may think is similar about them, they are actually very different.
this is the first of a (possible) series of posts explaining why they are different.
WORK ETHIC
a commonality between isxj and inxp is that they both value the idea of structure - this is because of the isxj's dominant Si, and the inxp's tertiary Si. when a function is in the tertiary position, this means that the user strongly values and selectively (or wildly) uses the function.
the difference here with the Si is that if the inxp is long used to doing something the way they're doing it, they'll keep doing it that way. but the idea of doing it differently - or doing something else, something new - will occur to them frequently. the tertiary Si also operates in that even if the inxp actively uses their aux Ne on a regular basis - doing things, doing something new - and not only is this easy, but this is also fulfilling to them - they can still see the value and appreciation for structure, things that the way things are. the thing is, inxps actively get more fulfillment without structure, but also understand and value the necessity for structure.
on the other hand, isxjs ultimately get more fulfillment from structure than without. this doesn't mean that they're hypochondriacs and their life is organized, but they appreciate organization and efficiency in at least the smallest amounts. as long as their head feels secure in what they understand as organized and effective, it may not look like such to someone on the outside but on the inside their minds angled to their idea of structure.
thus, when their inferior Ne is in effect - when they lose what they perceive as understanding and solid ground - they come to feel displaced. whereas the inxp can probably easily cruise through an unstructured life - though this can lead to inaction or stubbornness in an unfulfilled life/wasted potential - the isxj can grow temperamental and worried. it's also entirely possible for them to try to organize on smaller scales, although this is also a possible trait for inxps. the thing is, though, an inxp will likely look more reckless while the isxj will feel more reckless. inxps are more "ugh i'll fix my life tomorrow" and isxjs are more "ugh why am i such a fuck up today"
obviously both mindsets can overlap and are not limited to this strictly, but in an unorganized life, an isxj may grow used to it but still panic, while inxps will just put off their anxieties, thinking they'll go away until they build up.
the best way to identify if you're an isfj or an infp, in my opinion, is to objectively look at your past experiences. did you do better when there was a routine/structure you understood? or did you do better when you were left to your own devices to improvise on your own? think about where you felt more inclined, more comfortable! an infp may be prone to answer both (because of their tertiary Si), but an isfj will likely settle easier into the idea of a routine.