I literally spent all last night researching and trying to figure out my type. Yes, I know these 2 types appear very different, but I am still stuck between them and have gotten both on online MBTI tests.
For the longest time I thought I was ISFJ (and still may be), but I also struggle a lot with anxiety and depression and have for a very long time, so I am not sure if that is skewing results as I read that an anxious ISFP can appear like an ISFJ and become more routine oriented and rigid and a depressed ISFJ can appear more like an ISFP and struggle with planning and routines.
Anyway, I am not sure if there is a real way to determine. My childhood was mostly spent outdoors. I liked to explore the woods and play with the animals outside and make up stories with them. I liked catching lightning bugs and listening to the mourning doves at dawn. I also enjoyed writing make believe stories and plays that I would make my family participate in. I would also plan holidays and decorate and get upset if my family didn't appreciate my efforts or act out my plays the way I wanted (I always envisioned things and if they didn't go as planned if people didn't take things seriously, I would get upset).
A bit about my dreams: I always dreamed of traveling to Scotland and meeting my family there. I like trying new things as long as I have someone I trust with me (I struggle with anxiety including social anxiety). I like dressing up and getting immersed in imaginary worlds and envisioning me in those worlds.
In school, I felt I had to be the best in order to have people like me. I had to get the highest grade and try out for solos. I quit cheerleading after 3 years of doing it because I felt I wasn't good enough because I would overthink and feel that other people were better than me. I was in plays and musicals and enjoyed performing. I learned to make checklists and tried to get assignments done early, but that was an anxiety response as I now tend to be a big procrastinator and put things off and my room is a bit of a mess with objects of my different interests.
With hobbies, I am sometimes very invested and a bit obsessive with my interests, but I also struggle with completing things and staying focused. I have so many half finished stories I was writing or videos I was making and then I just lose interest. I have to be in the mood to read and even then I very rarely finish reading a whole book (usually I stop about half way through). I assign symbolism a lot to things, too, like I like to use flower symbolism a lot or relate things in nature to feelings like how flowers represent hope and new beginnings because a daisy may close its petals at night as if darkness had won, but it will fling its petals wide a the dawn of a new day. I also like nature walks, animals, and nature photography. I collect dolls and like nostalgic movies or movies I feel I relate to like Winx Club, Monster High, Disney Fairies, Tangled, and Barbie movies.
When making big decisions, I tend to ask everyone their opinions and make pros and cons lists, but in the end I tend to just go with what I feel best aligns with my values and what I believe is right.
I have strong values of being kind to everyone even if they are not kind to me. I sometimes get pushed around a lot because of that, but I want people to like me. Feeling rejected or that I am not good enough are things that I really struggle with. I am perfectionistic when I am being judged and worry about what others will think of me, but when I feel safe enough to be myself, I am a lot bolder and don't mind speaking my mind. At work, I like to know clear expectations (because I worry about getting in trouble and anxiety), but when I am not given clear instructions, I tend to just go with the flow and not plan and just see what happens. The same is true with trips. I let other people do the planning and if I have specific things I want to see, I will tell them, but otherwise I just go along with what other people want.
I typed a lot and I am not even sure if what I typed is useful for typing me, but I would really appreciate some feedback about what you think. Also, sorry if you get a lot of these types of questions on this page. I just have been researching and stuff for so long now and feel stuck. Thank you!