Before we talk more about ISFP relationships and compatibilities let’s recap a few things about ISFP personality type. The Briggs-Myers Type Indicator, based on Carl Jung’s theory on cognitive functions, distinguishes 16 personality types.
Each personality type is defined by four personality traits that determine somebody’s preferences, interactions, strengths, and weaknesses.
The ISFP personality type defines someone who is introverted, observant, feeling, and prospecting. A person with this personality type tends to be intriguing, spontaneous, open-minded, and very creative. Therefore, ISFP individuals are nicknamed Adventurers, Creators, or Composers.
While the ISFP personality type guide reveals a vast array of traits, including the identity differences noted in ISFP-A and ISFP-T (Assertive and Turbulent), this article focuses on ISFP relationships.
You will read about how the ISFP personality behaves in love relationships, what attracts these people, how they express emotions, and who their best matches are.
Are you an ISFP
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How Do ISFPs Look at Dating and Falling in Love
ISFPs can quickly get along with other people’s emotions and show a sincere interest in their partners’ feelings. They are people who fully live in the present moment and always feel the urge to do things rather than talk about them.
This said, the Adventurer personality would never waste his/her time on long getting-to-know talks but would try to find a way to create new experiences and quickly bond with their prospective partner.
ISPF During the Dating Stage
Even when ISFPs start dating someone, they sincerely approach the person and show a significant interest in getting to know that person.
Despite being adventurous and open to new experiences, ISFPs seek lifelong commitments and a soul mate who can truly understand them.
When looking for a partner, physical appearance can play a significant role since individuals with Adventurer personalities have a highly sophisticated sense of aesthetics and beauty.
At the initial stage of the relationship, ISFPs act like pleasers who defer to their partners’ desires to the point of forgetting their needs.
They usually focus on what their mates say and tend to fulfill every desire they have, and often surprise them with unusual gifts, trips, and meaningful experiences.
And even though all this sounds as if ISFPs are perfect partners, their introverted trait is responsible for not easily opening up. At least not during the initial days of the dating phase.
They appear mysterious and closed and do their best not to have attention on them. However, if the person an Adventurer is dating is supportive and caring enough and openly shows his/her appreciation of the ISFP’s efforts, they will gradually open up.
ISFP Falling in Love
As with everything else in their life, ISFPs’ general motto is ‘Live and let the others live”. But, that doesn’t mean they are frivolous and reckless. On the contrary, the Creator personalities are very loyal and committed partners.
They are fairly easy-going, respectful, and eager to help with whatever it is. It is easy for them to show love and affection in a simple and often fun manner.
Creator personalities are notorious for planning and organizing things but very good at following their instincts and acting spontaneously.
This gives the relationship a spirit of excitement and thrill, but it might cause frustration and frequent disagreements if their partners are future-oriented persons or planners.
On the flip side, ISFPs’ sensitivity and responsiveness could smooth things out during heated arguments.
ISFP Strengths in a Relationship
Are you an ISFP
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It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that individuals with ISFP personality types are committed partner-pleasers with gentle and kind hearts. When talking about ISPF advantages and soft spots, these are the most enhanced:
- Attentive
ISFPs are genuinely interested in other people’s feelings and needs, and they give their best to listen to their partners and respond adequately.
- Affectionate
It is not hard for people with the Adventurer personalities to express their love in acts, deeds, and verbally (after they have opened up). Their partners are showered with gestures of love and affection and know that they are loved.
- Supportive
ISPFs are people with a free spirit and hate being placed inside the box. They resent the idea of being limited, and consequently, they never put boundaries on their partners’ desires or behavior. If an ISPF partner seeks support even for a radical move, he/she is likely to get it.
- Committed and Loyal
ISFPs seek a lifelong soulmate who can understand them and appreciate their efforts. Adventurers are not drawn to causal relationships, and once they find the person they’ve been looking for, they stay loyal.
- Laid-Back and Flexible
‘Your wish is my command,’ just in a milder form, best describes how ISFPs act towards their partners. Individuals with Adventurer personalities are willing to alter their plans, jump in to their partners’ request and help them achieve their goals even if that means sacrificing their own time and resources.
- Aesthetically Driven
People with ISFP personalities make everything look beautiful and functional. They create visually pleasing and functional homes and pay attention to every detail to align with their style.
ISFP Weaknesses in a Relationship
- Bad Planner
ISFPs are not very good at planning since their focus is mainly on the present moment. They rely on deeds, not words, but when it comes to organizing their lifestyle and finances, ISFPs don’t usually come up well off in the long run.
- Conflict-Avoiders
ISPFs would instead go against their own convictions rather than trying to make a point. They resent confrontations, even when it comes to significant problems. This might turn out negative as they fail to address important issues that could make the relationship much more functional.
- Mysterious and Closed
ISPFs find it hard to share their own feelings, especially during the initial stages of their relationship. This could give a wrong impression of being uninterested, as ISFPs would hide anything related to their thoughts and sentiments.
- Too Practical
While the focus on practicality is an inseparable part of ISFPs’ lives, some ISFPs could go too much with it. They might easily dismiss all those tiny details that make people’s lives beautiful if they don’t find them functional.
- Cynical
Despite being warm and kind-hearted, ISFPs can become overly cynical when their feelings are not recognized, appreciated, or shared.
Are you an ISFP
Take the free personality test to identify your true personality type. 16 Personality Types test reveals who you naturally are and why you do things the way you do. With this knowledge of yourself, you can build successful careers, find a dream job, build strong relationships, and live an authentic life.
TAKE THE FREE PERSONALITY TEST
ISFPs Best Match for a Romantic Relationship
If we are to look for the ISFP’s best compatibility from the MBTI perspective, then the best match would be the ESFJ or the ENFJ.
The reason for this claim is the fact that both ESFJ and ENFJ are extroverted personality types with auxiliary feeling functions. The way they perceive the world is through their senses, which helps them create decisions based on what they feel and see.
These personality types are most likely to show an understanding of the ISFPs’ creative nature, and free-spirited drive while at the same time focusing more on the future than on present moments. Plus, they are likely to complement ISFPs where they feel less competent and weak.
When ISFP personalities match with INFP or ENFP personalities, i.e., they tend to feel similar in their character, but with differences that can help both personality types to learn from each other.
The Intuitive function of INFPs and ENFPs gives them the ability to read through people and see the big picture, which is a complementing feature for ISFPs.
These relationships prove to be functional when both partners are mature enough to withstand the challenges that are likely to arise from their weaknesses.
Compatibility with Other Personality Types
It goes without saying that any mature individual can be an excellent match for the ISFP personality type. Yet, some types create more harmonious relationships with ISFPs than others.
In general, what ISFPs are looking for is someone who shares the same dominant Feeling trait since these personalities experience things through their emotions. It will get them understood during times of emotional outbursts and provide ultimate support and understanding.
Bear in mind that although ISFPs are introverted, their Observant function makes them curious, interested, and involved in what surrounds them.
This makes ISFPs easy to mistake for being extroverted. However, ISFPs need time for retreat as they recharge by spending time alone.
The laid-back attitude makes the Adventurer personality easy to communicate with. However, their lack of interest in future planning can easily scare them off if pressed for a long-term commitment.
So their ideal partner could be someone who is easy-going and understanding without putting pressure on them.
Are you an ISFP
Take the free personality test to identify your true personality type. 16 Personality Types test reveals who you naturally are and why you do things the way you do. With this knowledge of yourself, you can build successful careers, find a dream job, build strong relationships, and live an authentic life.
TAKE THE FREE PERSONALITY TEST
ISFP as a Parent – Parental Relationship with Their Children
No parent is born ready, but people with the ISFP personality type appear the most prepared for raising children and responding to their needs.
ISFPs don’t appear overwhelmed during times of hardship and are entirely involved with their children’s upbringing.
The ISFPs’ spontaneous nature allows them to take advantage of every situation, while their creativity helps them motivate their children to get engaged in multiple activities.
But ISFP parents are not just encouragers. They make sure they spend quality time with their children in a fun and engaging way. From surprise trips to playing outdoor games together, you’ll see ISFP parents being around their children.
But, ISFPs are not strict or demanding parents. They respect their children’s free will and support them to express their individuality.
Structure and organized discipline usually lack their parenting styles as they resent conflicts and feel disturbed when seeing their children unhappy.
However, if they don’t push themselves to make clear boundaries and define the expected behavior, their children will likely go astray.
However, no matter what happens, ISFPs’ children know that their parents’ home will always be a welcome place filled with love and understanding.
ISFP as a Lover in a Sexual Relationship
ISPF might appear mysterious from the outside, but they experience intense and deep emotions. As their relationships turn more serious, they feel less reserved and reveal their profound emotional side.
The depth of their emotions is also seen in their sexual relationships. Since ISFPs are service-oriented, they strive to please their partners to the fullest. But, the process of lovemaking is not just a deed that has to be done.
They experience it through their senses, making it a wholehearted process that involves body, mind, and soul. Being intimate with their partner is an opportunity for ISFPs to show their most sensual side in a way that is typical for their personality.
ISFPs in Friendships
Being friends with individuals with an ISFP personality is not a hard thing, provided no judging on their lifestyle is involved. ISFPs’ relaxed attitude and the urge to always be active make them fun, loving, and entertaining.
They love doing things with their friends, such as sports, hiking, or activities that involve creativity. Discussions and arguments draw them away, and people with ISFP personalities are not likely to defend their beliefs even when they know they are right.
The need to defer to other people is also evident in ISFPs’ friendships. They want to make their friends happy and are truly dedicated to making their friendship last for a long time (a few real ones). ISFPs show empathy and warmth, and respect for their friends’ wishes.
When it comes to close friendships, ISFPs have a few friends that they call true friends. These are usually people who understand and accept their lifestyle or those who share their interests.
Generally speaking, people who have a highly pronounced judging function are not people who are likely to develop a close relationship with the Adventurer personality.
ISFP and Breakups
For people who are conflict-haters and put their partners first, the breakup is something that shatters them in any sense of the word. This is particularly true if someone with an Adventurer personality has developed strong emotional bonds with the person they were in a relationship.
However, the problems don’t usually come out of a sudden. The ISFPs’ tendency to ignore them and avoid confrontation results in piling up issues that could have been solved.
Even when the breakup is inevitable, ISFPs still search for a ray of hope to save their relationship. They could even offer couples counseling, suggest a new approach to their relationship, and even sacrifice their time, nerves, or finances.
The bad thing about this persistence is their unwillingness to look from the cause-consequences perspective and see the possible detrimental effects in the future.
However, once they accept that it is over, they can readily move on without much drama or negativity.
ISFPs will surely need some time on their own, but they are likely to spend that time doing a creative job, such as designing, painting, or drawing since they are known to be good artists. Pouring their emotions into a piece of art can surely help them get over the person and start anew.
ISFP Relationships FAQ
Who should an ISFP marry?
ISFPs need a partner who is emotionally savvy. They should be able to understand their feelings and recognize when they are hurt. Their partner should be nurturing, but also accept the ISFP’s support when they need it.
As such, a good partner for the ISFP could be the ESFJ or the ENFJ. Their extroversion could help the ISFJ grow as a person and discover more about themselves. Plus, their judging ensures that planning plays a role in the relationship.
Who are ISFPs attracted to?
ISFPs like excitement in their relationship. Someone who is constantly reading and talking about abstract concepts is not a good fit. Thrill-seekers are great fits for them, especially if they are creative like the ISFP.
Being a feeler is also a good trait to have. Thus, they are often attracted to individuals like the ESFP. They can understand each other and have an engaging relationship.
Who is ISFP least compatible with?
ISFPs should avoid relationships with individuals who neglect their emotions and sacrifice enjoying the current moment for planning for the future. If someone is boring to the ISFP, their relationship will likely not last for long.
Being selfish is also not a desirable trait for ISFPs. And, demanding to constantly be alone could hurt ISFPs. As such, types like ENTJ, INTJ, and INTP are not great matches.
Who is ISFP most compatible with?
ISFPs are compatible with feeling types the most. For example, ISFPs can have great relationships with ESFPs or ENFJs. Having great communication skills is beneficial to nearly every relationship.
However, open and honest communication is especially needed for ISFPs. They want a spouse who is not afraid of being vulnerable and respects their creativity, too.
What does an ISFP need in a relationship?
ISFPs need a relationship that has consistent, open, and honest communication. They do not want to hurt their spouse by guessing about their feelings.
Plus, respecting their creativity is a must for ISFPs. Being able to live in the moment and savor the experiences in the relationship is an added bonus.
Conclusion
The creative and spontaneous Adventurers are a perfect fit for those people who are willing to indulge in an activity-filled relationship that never feels boring.
ISFPs live in the present and are people of action, so their partners are served with various surprises and inspiring moments to remember.
ISFPs are excellent parents who appreciate and support their children. Parenting comes naturally to them, and they are rather easygoing.
When it comes to their friendships or colleagues (if interested in the list of jobs for ISFP, click here), they love mutual engagement and appreciate every positive feedback.
ISFPs are loyal and dedicated, and they are never happy in a shallow relationship as they feel deeply and emotionally.
What can be a true obstacle in the relationships is their lack of structural organization, going with the flow and withdrawing when rushed into commitment.
If ISFPs manage to find a balance between their creative, free-spirited, and unbridled lifestyle, they can create a loving and supportive relationship that is meant to last.
