I've come to think that I might be an ISTP. Even though I've seen myself as an INTP for at least 3 years. Can't decide, though.
Input would be appreciated.
Reasons I suspect I'm ISTP:
If you could help me come to terms with whether I'm actually an ISTP or not, though, that'd be great.
Input would be appreciated.
Reasons I suspect I'm ISTP:
- Looking back on my childhood, I seemed more ISTP than INTP. I was your typical tomboy: loved sports, climbing trees and hay bales (spent a few years in rural Alberta, haha), was a bit aggressive, etc. Enjoyed finding interesting stuff to do where there was none, like building catapults and tracking wolf paw prints in the woods. My general approach to issues then was to take everything apart and put it back together again. Was a class clown. More of a proprietor of physical humour.
- I've been reading up on Ti-Ni loops, or "the WTF years," and how they can cause you to mistype as an intuitive. They're described as a rut that causes ISTPs not to use Se much and keeps them in their heads...and I can relate. I feel my happiest when I'm out doing spontaneous stuff; I don't always appreciate being stuck in my head all the time. Not to mention I've literally felt as if I've been in a rut for the last few years.
- Something I've been aware of for a long time is that I'm more literal and practical than INTPs usually are. I don't sit around brainstorming about random theoretical shit all the time; I'm usually in the present, or at least the near-future. The way I learn is also more factual and by example/hands-on than I'd expect of INTPs.
- When I look at an issue, I often see an immediate solution. There isn't always that Ne-style "you can do this, this, or maybe even this" brainstorming going on. Just a quick evaluation and solution.
- A friend told me I have a sort of practical approach to life that's ISTP-ish; a no fucks given attitude they're prone to.
- I'm not drawn to constantly learning. I enjoy learning, but it's usually activity-based learning. I want to tack on new experiences to my existing ones; find new hobbies to master. (But the rut hasn't been helping with this.)
- One of my greatest fears is being an invalid. My friend told me that this fear also sounds ISTP of me.
- Now, speaking of friends: my closest ones have always been sensors: ISFP, ISTP (I've always found myself a bit drawn to/intrigued by ISTPs...), ESTJ. Not sure if it's out of convenience or compatibility.
- If I had to pick, I'd rather have a wide variety of skills (and knowledge related to those skills) than a wide variety of knowledge for its own sake.
- I'm usually absent-minded as hell. But can that be attributed to Ti-Ni repressed Se?
- I've always been under the impression I use Ne. Especially with my situational humour. (edit) An example of what I had interpreted as Ne is how, when I was in school, I could effectively bullshit answers. I could build an argument out of nothing, or seem as if I know what I'm talking about.
- I'm drawn to intuitives far more than sensors. Whether they're authors, comedians, actors or people in my day-to-day life.
- I don't entirely understand Ni or whether I use it.
- I probably have other doubts but I'm too high to remember them at the moment.
- (edit) This may be stereotyping ISTPs, but I do still enjoy theoretical topics. As well as debating about them. MBTI, obviously. Philosophy too.
- (edit) Do ISTPs have a memory for pointless facts? Because I do. I always assumed that was tertiary Si forcing me to remember conversations in detail, or everyone's birthdays and phone numbers. My short-term memory is especially good, though. I always used to study for tests by jotting down important notes from an assigned textbook chapter and then reading 'em over a few times - it never failed me.
If you could help me come to terms with whether I'm actually an ISTP or not, though, that'd be great.
