Let me ask you this — when planning your next vacation, do you crave an hour-by-hour itinerary or does the idea of a rigid schedule make your skin crawl?
Recently, I ran across a New York Times article titled: “To Reduce Travel Stress, Plan Less” — and my phone lit up like fireworks on the Fourth of July. The texts? Mostly from my Sensing-Judging (SJ) travelers.
“OH HELL NO!”
“Less planning? That’s my nightmare.”
“My anxiety is writhing just thinking about this!”
I had to laugh… because they’re not wrong. And neither is the New York Times. Hear me out.
The SJ Travel Types (ETA’s) Exacting. Traditional and Advising
According to Keirsey and PersonalityMax.com, SJ types (Sensing + Judging) make up 45% of the population. That’s a whole lot of structured, practical, planning-loving humans!
In Nina’s world, she calls this sensing judging group ETA’s: Exacting. Traditional and Advising
Here are a few clues you might be a Guardian traveler:
Orderly + Organized
Thorough + Hard-working
Factual + Practical
Sensible + Patient
Detail-oriented to a fault (and proud of it!)
Thrive on being well-prepared
So, would telling an SJ type to “just wing it” on vacation reduce stress?
For most… that’s likely a hard NO.
SJ types need to know where they’ll eat, sleep, and recharge. Spontaneity can feel like chaos. And guess what? That’s not a flaw — it’s a strength when honored. If you’re an SJ type you can identify your travel personality type in my book: Unpack Your Personality, grab it here.
Now Let’s Flip It: Intuitive Feeling (AFT) Types Abstract. Flexible and Transcendent
On the other side of the personality pool swim the Intuitive feelings — or AFTs, is how I reference them.
Only about 15% of the population are true intuitive feeling types, and they often feel misunderstood in the planning world. They’re not scattered — they’re expansive. They’re thinkers, visionaries, seekers. They plan but not with rigidity.
You Travel Traits — Sound Familiar?
You think in ideas and what-ifs.
Future-forward and dreaming about what’s next.
Repetition = boredom.
You want spontaneous options and flexible plans.
You tend to overpack, pack late… or forget your toothbrush.
(Okay fine, maybe that’s just me. 😆)You see the big picture, not the nitty-gritty.
For this crew, tightly planning every minute of a trip can feel like putting your spirit in a box. Less planning feels liberating. Space = inspiration. If you’re an NF type you can identify your travel personality type in my book: Unpack Your Personality, grab it here.
How Your Personality Influences Travel (a mini refresher course on your type traits)
We all process life — and travel — in different ways. Your inner compass (aka your personality) directs how you gather experiences, make choices, and show up in the world. Here’s a quick, aligned refresher — travel-style.
How You Gather Information
This is all about how you perceive the world.
Sensors (S)
Practical. Present-oriented. Grounded in what’s real.
You love tangible experiences — sights, sounds, tastes, textures.
Think: real pasta in Italy, not just the “idea” of Italy.
Intuitives (N)
Conceptual. Future-focused. Inspired by what could be.
You travel to feed the imagination — the feeling, the vibe, the poetic possibilities.
Planning every detail? Meh. You’re here for the magic that unfolds.
How You Make Decisions
Now you’ve gathered the details… how do you decide what’s best?
Thinkers (T)
Objective. Analytical. Results-driven.
You evaluate with logic — what’s best based on reason, fairness, or efficiency.
You research flight routes, cost comparisons — and love a spreadsheet.
Feelers (F)
Empathetic. Emotionally in tune. Guided by harmony.
You decide based on values + the emotional ripple effect.
Travel decisions prioritize connection, how people feel, and shared joy.
How You Show Up in the World
This is your outer lifestyle style — your energy around structure, spontaneity, and closure.
Judgers (J)
Planners. Decisive. Structure-lovers.
You like knowing what’s happening before you pack your bag.
And yes, crossing things off your itinerary sparks serious joy.
Perceivers (P)
Flexible. Curious. Go-with-the-flow.
Plans are suggestions, not commandments. Freedom is the itinerary.
You might book the first night and figure out the rest as you go.
Travel Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All — It’s Personality-Driven
When you tune into how you gather info, how you make decisions, and how you live it out day-to-day, you’ll unlock travel experiences that feel deeply aligned with the real you — your true self.
Because the best trips aren’t just about where you go…
They’re about how your personality moves through the world.
✨ Ready to travel with your whole self? Your inner guide already knows the way.
Want to Dive Deeper? I Got You
If this speaks to you even a little bit, check out my podcast interview on Speaking of Travel with Marilyn Ball:
🎧 What’s Your Travel Personality? Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide
👉 Listen here.
Thank you, Marilyn, for believing in my mission — even before I fully believed in it myself. 🩵
1. Check out my blog, How to Plan Romantic Getaways For Your Personality. for fresh insights and helpful tips on crafting the perfect romantic escape tailored to your unique and your partner’s personality. Discover how understanding the 16 personality types can transform your travel and deepen your connection.
📚 Or grab a copy of my debut book: Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide
Happy and Aligned Travels
As you plan your next getaway, make it less about the Pinterest-perfect destination and more about what your true self needs. When you listen to her, you’ll breathe deeper, feel freer, and travel with meaning and intention.
Because the most memorable adventures are the ones that bring you home — not just to a place, but into alignment with who you really are.
Please Share: How to Plan a Stress Free Vacation Based on Your Personality?
It’s always my intention to encourage you and plant seeds to help you think differently. To tap into the unique aspects of your true self through spiritual personality type. By doing so, we can collectively raise the vibration of the planet. If you know someone—a friend, co-worker, or family member—who is struggling with self-understanding or seeking their true self, please share this post with them. You never know who might need this message today.
You can also find me on Pinterest, Instagram, and LinkedIn. for more inspiration, ask a question or find more resources.
Who Is Nina Zapala?
Nina Zapala is the founder of a Spiritual Personality Typing℠, proprietary self-identity paradigm. It connects personality with the physical mind and the spirit mind to help individuals fully embody their true selves. She is the creator o
f the (un)brand. A new tool for founders to separate from patriarchal tactics; limited, stereotypical, chasing… Instead, the (un)brand. embraces powerful soul fed branding strategies. Enabling Founders to express from Divine design, in Divine timing and take Divinely
Happy Soulful Sojourns to all!
