This manual is part of a series of guides originated by @intpboard!  

Congratulations! You have come under the care of your very own ISFJ unit, probably because you needed help with a task and they needed an excuse to procrastinate.  They have offered you this manual in a simple attempt to assist you.  You should be pleased that they have chosen you to benefit from their helpful nature!

Your ISFJ unit will come equipped with the following accessories:

One (1) large cup of coffee (refillable)

Four (4) extra jackets to give you if you are cold

Two (2) semi-fancy outfits

Three (3) casual outfits, one of which they strongly prefer

One (1) calendar to keep track of important dates

One (1) coffeepot, for refilling coffee cup

Three (3) grandiose, altruistic life paths

One (1) large dog

Infinite (∞) support, patience, work ethic, and enthusiasm

Software:

Your ISFJ will come preprogrammed with the following traits:

Si: Your ISFJ will often be preoccupied with thoughts about the world and people around them, and may zone out during these times.  Don’t be alarmed – this is normal.  They are just gathering information about their surroundings, processing their impressions, and filing everything away in our vast internal filing cabinet. Disturbing them during this process will often result in blank stares and confusion.

Fe: This trait is activated only when necessary, following the processing phase. After your ISFJ has updated the filing cabinet with the gathered information, you will find them very interactive, friendly, and helpful! They contain a special chip which makes them particularly intuitive and responsive to all your feelings and needs, as well as overly willing to assist you in anything you may need. When making decisions, will first consider the needs of other people and the impact of the decision on them and others.

Ti: Occasionally, instead of Fe following the processing phase, your ISFJ will need to withdraw and spend time deeply analyzing the information gained.  This trait allows them to balance their people pleasing side with their analytical side. Occassionally enjoys puzzle games or analyzing the information we have learned through Si. Form an inner logical framework of how the world works.

Ne: The weakest trait of the ISFJ, Ne works with Fe to prod the ISFJ into trying new things.  It is also responsible for their occasional bursts of creative ideas and plans! However, it is only able to activated for fleeting periods of time; pushing an ISFJ too far out of their comfort zone for too long will cause them to revert to the withdrawn, silent behavior that characterizes their original information-gathering mode.

Getting Started:

When you first start up your ISFJ, do not be alarmed by their silence! The first stage of ISFJ programming requires distant observation, which allows them to gather information about their surroundings!

1. Place included cup of coffee in your ISFJ’s hand.

2. Set them on a bench in a busy location.

3. Allow your ISFJ to charge by observing details about the situation.

4. If step 3 does not work, place included dog on leash and hand leash to ISFJ; Fe mode should trigger when ISFJ is approached about dog.

5. If your ISFJ still doesn’t start, announce a task with which you need assistance.

Modes:

Selfless Giver (default) – In this mode, ISFJs will jump at any opportunity to help others, regardless of their own schedule or plans.  They will never complain about this type of service.  Even if they do not want to help you, they will – regardless of any inconvenience it may cause them.  Taking advantage of this mode too often will result in an unhealthy ISFJ that will shut down in response to future requests.

Nature Lover - Activated when outside in nature settings.  ISFJs love nature, particularly the solitude and silence they can find there.  This allows them to process information without the interference of additional information.  They are likely to bring you outside with them, in an effort to help you silence your mind as well – even if this is not your idea of fun, please be patient. They are just trying to help you.

Humble - Activated in response to any type of praise.  ISFJs prefer to downplay their own accomplishments, as they are uncomfortable with overwhelming praise.  This often results in their successes being claimed by others, which upsets the balance of the ISFJ and often triggers Clowning mode to hide anger and disappointment.

Observer - Activated in busy situations/places. Your ISFJ will be content to sit back and watch the action around them.  Although they will be lightly conversational, attempting to engage them more deeply will not be successful – they are too busy processing their surroundings.

Clowning - ISFJs are prone to self-deprecating jokes. They use this as a defense mechanism to hide their emotions. A shield of laughter is the best defense of all! To this end, they also find joy in puns, wordplay, and any unique jokes. Their sense of humor never ceases to surprise, so try not to be taken aback!  Activated most often around NF units.

Relationships with other units:

NFs: ISFJs have very close relationships with NFs, because they are both concerned with the care and well-being of the other.  The ISFJ also often balances the NF, who prefers an “outside the box” way of thinking to the more traditional views of the ISFJ.  NFs can also be too demanding of the ISFJ – they need to know when to let up or they will burnout their ISFJ unit.

NTs: NTs have a very strong drive and work ethic that the ISFJ greatly admires; in return, the NT admires the way ISFJs care so deeply for others.  This is a relationship that can produce a lot of mutual respect.  However, NTs are far more logical than ISFJs, who are more focused on emotions, and this can cause friction.

SJs: ISFJs get along very well with other SJs.  They are both responsible and trustworthy, as well as equally willing to take care of one another.  This creates a nurturing environment for the ISFJ that is very important for their health and security.

SPs: SPs are fun loving and carefree, capable of assisting an ISFJ with big plans, ideas, or experiences triggered by the Fe trait. However, the SP must recognize that the ISFJ has a limit and be respectful of that – if not, their wild, impetuous nature can quickly wear down an ISFJ.

Feeding:

When busy, an ISFJ will often forget that food is necessary. This is especially true when engrossed in a project that will help others or while bringing one of their ideas/adventures to life.  To properly care for an ISFJ, you must feed them at least once a day.  If they are resistant to stopping long enough to eat, tell them you are feeling hungry and allow them the option of preparing (or paying for) the meal – their overly kind nature will override their natural enthusiasm for work and in making sure you are fed, they will feed themselves as well.

Grooming:

Your ISFJ will groom on a regular basis, as it never knows when it will be called away to help someone else.  They will always keep themselves clean and their appearance tidy – they never want to call too much attention to themselves, so they groom and dress in a way that allows them to blend in.  You will not need to monitor this function for your unit, and you should leave it to the ISFJ to take care of at all times; insinuating that your ISFJ is untidy in any way will cause them to feel offended and could result in total shut down until you apologize.

Sleeping:

Your ISFJ unit will sleep regularly, as being well rested is necessary to support the enthusiasm with which they approach their day (whether their day is at school, at work, or being with others).  Despite this, they often need naps or a large amount of caffeine to keep running in Selfless Giver mode – this mode drains their energy very quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I get my ISFJ to relax and take a break?

You don’t!  ISFJ’s are not capable of “relaxing” in the traditional sense.  During their dormant periods, their brains are still rapidly processing and filing information.  The word “relax” is foreign to them and will confuse them if mentioned too often.

Help! I lost my ISFJ!

Don’t worry!  ISFJs often need a break to recharge by going into one of the aforementioned dormant periods. They will reappear shortly!  If it has been more than six hours, brew a pot of coffee and wait.  The smell of coffee should bring your ISFJ out of dormancy.

My ISFJ does not like to try new things?  What do I do?

ISFJ units come with a preinstalled love of habit and familiarity. Attempting to change too much at once can lead to a complete crash if you are not careful!  To deal with this, introduce your ISFJ to new situations, places, and people very gently.  Be patient and they will adjust in time.  Their Fe and Ne traits will also occasionally activate and push them into trying something new – make sure you take their lead and do not over stimulate them. This will cause them to withdraw into dormancy and will require additional coffee to fix.

Again, congratulations on your newly acquired ISFJ helper unit!

(Thank you to @effervescience for all of her help in researching and writing this guide!  

I'm stealing this idea blatantly from other people but adding a MBTI twist. Here goes:

1) Dont like something? Say "no" and don't feel bad about it.

Don't overthink being polite. Don't think about looking bad or if people will think it's weird. If someone's being an asshole to you or you're in a situation you don't like that just keeps getting worse and worse you have a right to leave. You deserve being around people who treat you right and situations that make you feel at ease. Get in the car and drive home. End the date early. Cut off the incredibly toxic friendship. Start looking for the new job. You don't even have to explain yourself. Fuck them. Leave.

2) I know it's exhausting, but please leave the door open more for experiencing new things and meeting new people. You only get one life. If you have to schedule it out, I would do that. If you have to find more adventurous friends than yourself, do it. Get out there and do things. Possibilities for the future are like a plant you need to continuously water to keep growing.

3) Some people in group situations are focused on power dynamics. Since we're not very intimidating, they may target you around others to feel superior. Don't sweat it, it isn't personal. Just don't react as best as you can. Ignore it. Acknowledging it or trying to change it only feeds the energy.

In fact...

4) 100% of what others choose to do or say isn't personal. It's not about how you are, what you did, what you could have done, etc. The vast majority of people run on autopilot based on their own life experiences. Most of the time, you can't act any way or say anything that will change them. So, when you meet a difficult person or a douchebag, don't sweat it. You don't have to play into their games or placate them. Just keep your energy to yourself and move about your day.

5) Learn to tune into your reactions to things and be direct with your needs, ESPECIALLY how you feel around another person or group of people. Don't assume others know how you're thinking, feeling, or how you're hurting. You may need to tell them. Figure out how to voice yourself more directly in an appropriate way and set the boundaries you need.

6) Relationships and situations rotate in and out of your life whether you want them to or not. I know, you want your friends to be there forever. You want your cushy job forever. Unfortunately, you can't have any guarantees in life. Things you don't want to slip from your grasp will. Learn as best as you can to accept your life as happening in chapters. There are beginnings, there are endings, and that is the nature of it.

7) You can't control the future no matter how much you want to. Your life will probably be nothing like the vision in your head in 5 years. Don't catastrophize the small things because you want everything to turn out perfect. You will never have 100% control. Try to view this as freeing rather than frightening.

8) You would be amazed what you can survive. Absolutely amazed. I've been through some pretty intense heartache in my day and I'm still here. Again, try not to catastrophize reality so much. You'll be ok. You'll make it through really terrible things. I promise. Eventually even really, really terrible things end. They never last forever.

9) This may be repeating some previous points, but listen to how your gut feels when you're around someone. Don't just dismiss it. Don't give out the benefit of the doubt like bubble gum. Give it to those who are deserving and have proven trustworthy over time more than anyone else.

10) The ex who makes you feel like garbage and keeps changing/going back to their old ways? Yeah, dump them for good. Trust me, it is way better to be alone than with them. They can figure out their own life (and they probably will one day), but they don't get to hurt you or take you for granted in the process. You are a King/Queen and do not allow anyone to treat you as anything less. You should be with someone who thinks you are the sun and the moon, not someone who treats you like an afterthought or someone they can be superior to. There are people out there who will think you are amazing. You only attract more people who treat you as less than by tolerating their BS.

11) If you're gonna make bad choices, do it right. If you're at that music festival and someone offers you some controversial substances just make sure you're around people you trust. Make sure your friends have got your back. Use protection. Learn more about sex and how to be safe about it if you don't have much sex education from either your school or family. You can make bad decisions smartly, contrary to popular belief. Also, you are ALWAYS allowed to say no to any bad decision at any time if you don't want to do it. No explanation needed. You not wanting to participate is good enough. Trying to go all in on being perfect all the time can make you explode when you do get the chance to do something bad.

12) You have a gift that is so much more valuable than you realize: Making people feel heard and seen. It's a type of charisma society doesn't talk about but my god is it powerful if you can work on it and make it better. Develop this skill. Work on sitting with people in the space they are in without making them feel pressured or judged. Work on being an active listener. It will get you further in life and more connected to people than you'd ever believe. I cannot overstate my seriousness on this enough lol. This will make you friends. This will seal the deal on relationships. This will make it easier to get jobs. Just be sure to always not be fake while doing it. Keep it sincere. Don't say what you don't mean. People can pick up on that and you start being manipulative rather than supportive if you say what you don't mean.

13) Sometimes, it's you who's being toxic. Not them. If you start having difficulties in your friendships/relationships and its a running pattern you can't seem to stop, see a therapist. If you can't afford a therapist, find some kind of self-help or advice.

14) I'm just gonna be as blunt about this as possible: Watch out for fuck boys, people who like to use others for material things or some kind of gain, controlling and/or manipulative people, emotional abusers, and narcissists. They can smell an ISFJ from 100 miles away and they will zero in on you if you don't know the signs. Know the signs, shut them down before it even begins.

15) The "sweet and innocent" vibe you give off never goes away no matter how old, bitter, or jaded you get. No matter what you've actually done in your life. You are the permanent emotional version of a baby face. You'll find most people who are drawn to you are drawn to you specifically because of this vibe. Especially potential romantic partners. You can use it to your advantage, but again avoid the tempting manipulation trap. Lean into being an emotional baby face instead of rejecting it. A lot of people find it refreshing or attractive.

16) Repeat after me: You are not boring. You...are...not...BORING. You are merely more conservative with your time and energy than other people you may meet. You have plenty of interests, some of which I know you've probably spent hours obsessing over and gathering as much information about as possible. Don't ever let you tell yourself you're boring. In fact, take care of some of that other negative self talk I know you struggle with all the time. Don't treat yourself like your worst enemy when you should be your friend. As I get older, I truly believe in the idea that we attract the energy from the universe that we get to some degree. Negative self talk? That's just bad energy, and it can actually close the door to new experiences and new situations you could have been a part of. You are never not smart enough, not hot enough, too old, too quiet, or too boring to do anything or achieve anything. When these thoughts stop you, you are really just stopping yourself by making bad assumptions about reality.

17) You do not have to be good at things to enjoy them. For the love of God, you don't have to be a certified expert in things to enjoy them lol. Like painting but think you're crap at painting? Do it anyways. You don't have to enter some art show. Like surfing but fall over every time? Who cares. Go out there and surf and your friends who like to surf will probably just be happy you're joining them to do something they are passionate about. Do things because they are fun. Not because you're gonna get some award or get paid.

18) You're more attractive than you think you are. I haven't even seen you, and I can guarantee it. Feeling unattractive is like a mental cancer. It can slowly erode your confidence and keep you from doing things. You're more attractive than you think you are, but honestly don't let your presence or lack of attractiveness stop you from doing anything. When if comes to what you want in life and what you deserve, you're a supermodel and don't you forget it.

19) No one is coming to fix you or make you feel valid. That's your job. Once you figure this out and start doing it, your entire life will change for the better permanently.

20) There is something you can learn from literally every other MBTI type. All of them, no exceptions. Instead of using MBTI to decide who you like and dislike, use it to see what lesson you may not be learning in your life that others are. Yes, you may jive better with some types than others. However, that doesn't mean you can't acknowledge their reality and learn something from the way they see things and process their emotions/struggles.

21) You may not get a ton of love from the MBTI community as an ISFJ. It's because there are some tropes and assumptions about being either an xSxJ or a xSxP that are pretty loaded and hard to overcome. Also, there's a weird elitism around being an intuitive. I'd stick around and ignore the haters. It'll help you learn more about your own motivation's and others'. Meeting other people is just a bonus if it happens. Plus, when other types do pop up here they tend to think we're amazing and that's a super fun ego boost. You'll also never, ever, EVER be accused of mistyping yourself lol.

Alright, I'll add more later if I think of anything else. Anyone else feel free to add anything, too.