ISFJ vs INFJ questions on Reddit

This blog will look at the differences between the ISFJ and INFJ according to the opinions and discussions of Reddit users. This will help us understand and create a link between theoretical knowledge and the real-life experiences of people. 

Questions and topics discussed on Reddit on the differences between the ISFJ and INFJ

The following are the most frequently discussed questions and topics on Reddit concerning the differences between the INFJ and ISFJ personality:

• What is the difference between the ISFJ and the INFJ?

• The easiest way to differentiate between INFJ and ISFJ.

• What are some differences between ISFJs and INFJs?

What is the difference between the ISFJ and the INFJ?

“…..INFJs will get stressed by having just too much going on around them and not enough time to process. Details are the enemy when stressed. You might see them need to escape from the situation to lessen the sensory overload (this can mean simply spacing out/escaping mentally). Or this might mean a distraction of some kind (TV, food). 

ISFJs tend to plan and organize when stressed. They pay attention to details more when stressed. They do not want to leave anything to chance or the unknown. They might plan out everything they are going to do, and they will become hyper-aware of what is going on around them….”

“……I also think ISFJs have an easier time with small talk than an INFJ (not a hard rule though)……..(ISFJs may not necessarily like small talk more than INFJs though – just be slightly more adept).”

“ISFJs like concrete information and to know what is expected of them. An example I can think of is me (INFJ) vs my ISFJ friend in high school and a project at school being assigned. INFJ me doesn’t ask extra questions – just kinda goes with it and sees where it takes me. ISFJ wants to know the details and what exactly they are supposed to be doing. They are less comfortable with uncertainty.”

“ISFJs are the most extroverted introverts. I have some ISFJs friends and oh boy, after spending one day with an ISFJ, an entire day, the very next day I feel drained after a horrible hangover. ISFJs do not ever think of possible consequences of the actions done in the present.”

“A very dear friend of mine could have been raped or in a similar situation twice because she just couldn’t think about the future. I tried to explain to her the consequences but she just brushed it off. I had no other choice but to distract her with some “shiny things” in order not to go to her doom. The difference between ISFJs and INFJs is huge.”

The easiest way to differentiate between INFJ and ISFJ.

(This was a general discussion free for any user to give their opinion).

“I think the easiest way to accurately differentiate is to actually talk to the person about how they perceive. One of the strongest tells in my own real-life experience is to ask how information is arranged/organized. ISFJs arrange/store information in a sort of filing cabinet structure and can retain access to disconnected details. 

INFJs are more associational, more of a web of interconnection, and don’t tend to be able to retain conscious access to details unless there is an associational context.”

“…..I’m fairly confident I can spot an INFJ vs ISFJ from afar from their eyes. And tried to explain how. The processing is internal but it shows on the outside. INFJs and ISFJs are approximately at the opposite ends of the eye spectrum. Wide eye focus slows vs squint focus and more movement. Ti is also pretty narrow but with a detached glare. You know what they say. Eyes are the binoculars to the soul.”

“Fi types have expressive eyes, Fe types have expressive faces.”

What are some differences between ISFJs and INFJs?

“…..ISFJs are traditional, family-oriented, domestic, physical, warm, close, tend to be in relationships, search for long-term mates, want to please others and individuals, excellent with practicality (everyday tasks).

They struggle after a relationship has ended, believe in duty and obligation, find trying new things difficult, have difficulty leaving bad relationships out of commitment and continuing forward. The main strength is nurturing.

INFJs are modern, distant, tend to be single for long periods, search for lifelong mates, want to please, be useful and improve large groups, struggles with practicality (everyday tasks), struggles with detail, moves on quickly after a relationship ends. 

They believe in contribution and gratitude, find repetition gradually stressful, have difficulty leaving bad relationships out of connection building, and gravitate towards large abstract ideas. The main strength is analyzing and understanding others objectively.”

“I find this a bit too stereotypical and might confuse ISFJs in doubt about their type. You don’t need to be traditional/family-oriented/excellent with everyday tasks to be an ISFJ. For example, I hold more progressive views than many people around me – I am not a traditionalist in the true sense. What I’m trying to say is that ISFJs have strong principles and ideals and these don’t necessarily overlap with traditional/conservative views. My ‘tradition’ may not be the same as another ISFJs ‘tradition’.”

“My room’s a mess, I seldom make the bed, I loathe doing chores. I’m usually clumsy. I am not a good cook. I am not that good with practicality. I think this has more to do with upbringing than with type – I might not be good with usual everyday tasks, but I could be good with other things to which I attach deeper meaning.”

“Being a people pleaser is spot on, so is the difficulty to leave relationships. I am not so sure about routine and the difficulty to try new things. I enjoy change now and then, new things can make me excited. What I dislike is a sudden change, forced upon me and catching me unprepared.”

“I never identified with the nurturing, caring grandmother stereotype. I care a lot about people, especially family and close friends, their bad moods can affect me easily. At the same time, I never know how to comfort people – whenever I see someone crying, I’m at a loss for words and I don’t know how to act – is hugging appropriate? What should I say?”

“……My girlfriend is an ISFJ, and she’s very big on task scheduling, concerned for the feelings of others, and big into keeping a routine. Doing new things with her is a careful balancing act of making sure she stays within her comfort zone. She’s also a counselor, which I’d consider to be exactly the sort of field ISFJ gravitates toward. If INFJ is nature’s psychologist, ISFJ is nature’s counselor.”

Conclusion

This blog looked at the differences between the ISFJ and INFJ according to the opinions and discussions of Reddit users. This helped us understand and create a link between theoretical knowledge and the real-life experiences of people. 

The following are the most frequently discussed questions and topics on Reddit concerning the differences between the INFJ and ISFJ personality:

• What is the difference between the ISFJ and the INFJ?

• The easiest way to differentiate between INFJ and ISFJ.

• What are some differences between ISFJs and INFJs?

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

Frequently Asked Questions: ISFJ vs. INFJ Reddit

References

‘ISFJ vs INFJ’, Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/infj/comments/54g8i5/isfj_vs_infj/

‘Yet another ISFJ vs INFJ confusion post’, Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/infj/comments/2ku6lh/yet_another_isfj_vs_infj_confusion_post/