A hostel is not an ISFP’s natural habitat

Despite my blog title being “YQ, travelling ISFP”, I haven’t talked much about being an ISFP while travelling.

Part of the reason was that I’ve been travelling with my friends so the shy-ISFP part of me is dormant.

But for this trip, I needed to stay in hostels to save money. Since day 1 of hostelling, I realized how serious the introvert part of me could be.

It’s a bit of a generalization to say all ISFPs are like me, but here’s a few things I found out about myself during this trip:

• I am comfortable being alone.
• I can talk to strangers but only in a small groups (of two).
• I try to avoid crowds (difficult when the hang out area is on the way to the bathroom).
• I smile at people but avoid actively greeting them in case I’m brought into a conversation (or maybe that’s the Asian part of me).
• I take an extra 15 minutes pretending to pack my stuff for the shower, all this while, I’m bracing myself for the walk past the crowd.
• When I walk past the crowd at the hangout area, I look at the floor or my destination and AVOID EYE CONTACT.
• After showering/washing my hands, I stare at the mirror. Again, bracing myself for the crowd.
• I cringe when I am brought to attention among a crowd.
• I dislike being in crowds, just thinking about it makes my stomach churn in a bad way.
• I think it’s very nice that other people can be carefree when they are in a crowd. I want to do that but just thinking about it stresses me out.
• I cannot flirt even if I think if someone in the hostel is cute. (Usually my flirting skills involve AVOID EYE CONTACT or a faint smile that looks like I have muscle cramps.)
• Even if there is only one wall socket in the room, I’d rather not go out into the hangout area to charge my laptop.

I would say I am comfortable being socially awkward so I’m not very sure if I want to be hyperactive and friendly while on the road.

What’s your personality type and how are you like when you travel?

Related post:
Zero meaningful connection on the road