Ashes in the Light

Revisiting my personality test, and what it quietly revealed

Lately, I found myself revisiting my 16 personality test from a couple of years ago — wondering if I’ve changed, or if I’m still the same person I used to be.

I think a part of me expected a different answer.
Something new. Something that would reflect how much life has shifted over the past two years.

But instead, I got the same core result.

And somehow, that felt… grounding.

Still Me, Just in a Different Season

I’m still an ISFJ — the “Defender.”

Still someone who feels deeply.
Still someone who reflects quietly.
Still someone who needs space to process everything I carry.

But I can also see how I’ve changed.

On the surface, I’ve become more structured, more decisive, more “on” — especially at work, where I’m constantly coordinating, managing people, and holding things together.

I’ve learned how to show up.
How to take responsibility.
How to keep things moving even when it feels a little chaotic.

And yet, underneath all that, I’m still soft in the same places.

What Actually Changed

When I retook the test, one thing stood out more than anything else.

I’m now ISFJ-T — the “T” standing for Turbulent.

And that explained more than I expected.

It explained why I:

• think so much about what I could have done better
• replay conversations in my head
• feel affected by uncertainty
• carry more than I probably need to

It’s not that I became a different person.

I think I just became more aware.
And maybe a little more sensitive to everything I’m holding.

A Very “J” Person in a Very Uncertain World

One thing I had to laugh about was how strong my “J” side still is.

Because honestly, my brain works like this:

is it confirmed?
what time?
what’s the plan?
can we decide pls 😭

Meanwhile, life:

see how
later then say
we’ll figure it out

???

I used to think I was just being overly kancheong (A Singapore Slang).

But now I realise…
I just function better with clarity.

I feel calmer when things are decided.
When I know what’s happening.
When I can mentally prepare.

So yes, my mind is probably already planning three backup scenarios… just in case 🤍

Learning a Different Kind of Balance

I think what shifted the most is this:

I’ve learned how to show up for others.

To be dependable.
To carry responsibility.
To hold things together when needed.

But I’m still learning how to show up for myself in the same way.

To give myself:

• the same patience
• the same understanding
• the same care

And maybe that’s the balance I’m trying to figure out now —

How to give, without losing myself in the process.

Still a Work in Progress

I don’t think I changed into someone new.

I just grew into more parts of who I already am.

A little more aware.
A little more stretched.
A little more sensitive.

But also… a little more understanding of myself.

Still a work in progress —
learning to be a little more okay with uncertainty,
and a little gentler with myself too 🫶