When I don’t even understand myself . . .

When I don’t even understand myself . . .

I just took an online test and discovered my personality type. I think I’ve been given this kind of test before, but I forget what the results were.
Last night I was super depressed. And no one seemed to understand me. Todd pointed out that Camilla understood me best, since she knew how to push all my buttons. I really don’t know what my issue was, except that I was feeling overwhelmed.
Perhaps I took on too many canning projects. Yesterday I canned tomatoes by myself and I did not enjoy it one bit. It’s always more fun with a buddy. And not being able to find my jar lifter or canning funnel made a few of the steps more difficult almost impossible. I usually keep things in a fairly logical place, so the fact that I cannot find these implements is driving me absolutely insane.
On a brighter note, I did find a bunch of plastic ware I didn’t know we had. 
I’m an organized person—or so I thought.
(Some of) the spaghetti sauce and tomatoes I’ve canned over the past few weeks. I also put up nine quarts of peaches.
Notice my tomatoes do not look like the ones in the Ball photo. Uh huh. I noticed that, too.
This morning I decided to take a personality test to see if I could figure myself out. It didn’t find my canning tools for me, but it was still helpful.
Turns out I am an ISFJ. You have no idea the clarity that flooded my mind.
No, I’m serious. Reading the description of an ISFJ was like reading a story about myself. I laughed out loud several times in disbelief. It felt a little Truman Show-ish.
For those who must know (and yet won’t follow the link above), ISFJ stands for Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging.  
But that’s not really the point. I was beginning to think I was crazy. And maybe I am, but at least I have this.
Somebody gets me.
I was starting to think that all these personality tests are hokey. I mean, there are as many personalities as there are people, right? Yes. But, there are types, too. And that helped me feel a little less weird. Because when left to my own devices, I feel rather weird. Most of the time, I’m okay with that. But reading a description of my own personality type—it helped me today. And it also helped that Louisa May Alcottwas an ISFJ. So is Robin Roberts. And Shakespeare’s Ophelia. Mitchell’s Melanie. All ISFJs. I’m in good company.

Louisa May Alcott
Image Credit: Public Domain in the US
Do you know your personality type? If so, how has that helped you?

4 Comments
  • Peg
    Posted at 20:04h, 12 September Reply

    I would be curious to retest myself now, but back in high school I was an ENFP. I think I have become more of an introvert in my old age though. While the Meyers/Briggs is good, I am a huge fan of the Enneagram. It is a far superior personality typing system, in my opinion. It not only tells us "what" we are, it explains "why" we are the way we are. On that system I am a six. Check it out for great insight! http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/

  • Alison Treat
    Posted at 06:14h, 13 September Reply

    Almost my exact opposite, Peg! (We should get married.) I remember hearing about the Enneagram. I will have to check it. out. Thanks!

  • Angelina
    Posted at 08:45h, 13 September Reply

    I will have to take a personality test. My canning tools are lost at the moment too, and it gives me anxiety too!! I know that mine turned into "toys" before they got put away and are probably stuffed under the couch, So hopefully not gone forever, but I get so annoyed sometimes when my stuff becomes kid stuff b/c they have so.many.toys already! I'm right with you on the "Not enjoying canning". I cried in my tomatoes, almost threw a peach across the room…and bickered with everyone during dilly beans. Canning does NOT bring out the best in me…but the payoff is so rewarding that I keep doing it. I feel like it's a challenge for me, to keep working at it until maybe one day I can make peace with the process and not end up so flustered.

  • Alison Treat
    Posted at 06:33h, 14 September Reply

    Hmmm . . . I didn't check under the couch yet. Maybe that's where my tools are. I think I take on too much for myself with the canning, and I don't even do it as much as you. I get a little ambitious, but I always find it's easier with a "buddy".

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