We may glorify intelligent people, but in reality, they’re often misunderstood in this world.

Why? Smart people have a different way of thinking and processing information than the rest of us, which affects their habits and personality quirks.

Many of the brilliant people I’ve encountered in life often come across as eccentric, even weird, displaying behaviors that are sometimes endearing and fascinating, sometimes not.

So if you know someone who regularly acts in ways that can’t exactly be classified as “normal,” there’s a chance they’re just intellectually gifted.

I’m here to shed a bit more light.

In this article, I’ll take you through some of the unusual signs of people with above-average IQ.

Let’s get to it!

1) You are curious about everything

Many people are content limiting their knowledge of the world.

They might know a few things about their respective interests and hobbies but leave it at that, rarely displaying much intellectual curiosity.

People with high IQs tend to operate differently, often showcasing an almost insatiable thirst for knowledge.

Rather than just accept things at face value, they want to know the logic and processes behind them.

This means they’ll constantly ask questions, explore new subjects, and enjoy learning about topics that are foreign and even challenging.

2) You tend to overthink

Smart people have a lot of mental real estate, which can be both a good and bad thing.

Hence, many smart people tend to overthink and dwell on things that most people would let go almost immediately.

They say ignorance is bliss, so when you’re smart, your imagination tends to go into overdrive.

If you find yourself overanalyzing mundane situations, dissecting passing conversations and encounters, or decisions, it may be indicative of an active and highly analytical mind.

After all, highly intelligent individuals tend to notice the small details that others miss.

While the act of overthinking can be mentally exhausting and seem counterintuitive to the concept of intelligence, it often ultimately reflects a deeper cognitive processing and even a heightened sense of awareness.

3) You keep a messy workspace.

Albert Einstein (perhaps you’ve heard of him) famously kept a messy, chaotic workplace.

He was too busy splitting the atom to place great value on minimalism and organizing his desk.

A cluttered desk might seem disorganized but studies suggest that it could also indicate a creative and intellectual mind.

Highly intelligent people might be so preoccupied with expending mental energy towards problem-solving and thinking outside the box that tidiness inevitably takes a backseat.

4) You can be alone for long periods without boredom

Many of us people with average intelligence tend to get bored easily, eventually seeking friends or social interaction to fill that void.

High-IQ people are perfectly content with solitude, often spending hours lost in thought or focused on intellectual pursuits, like reading, writing, and other creative exercises.

Maybe they’ll even binge-watch arthouse films for hours, immersing themselves deeply, perhaps intellectually, in the process.

They aren’t needy, wanting people to constantly be around to distract them from their own thoughts.

That’s amateur stuff.

Intelligent people genuinely tend to enjoy their own company and the mental space, clarity, and respite from reality it provides.

5) You are highly sensitive to noise and distractions

If you’re studying for a major exam or test, you want to be in the quietest possible environment so you can concentrate.

If there’s construction going on next door or someone in your vicinity is blaring EDM, then you’re bound to get irritated on some level.

The smart person’s brain is constantly at work, often going into overdrive, thus high sensitivity to noise or environmental distractions almost becomes the norm.

In short, intelligent minds are far more susceptible to being overwhelmed by sensory inputs while trying to concentrate than average.

6) You have a dark sense of humor

I’ve always found there to be a strong correlation between intelligence and humor.

I’m not talking about toilet or overtly slapstick humor, I’m talking about nuanced, offbeat, and intelligent comedy.

You see, intelligent folks have the unique ability to step back and look at the bigger picture, observing tiny details about life and seemingly ordinary circumstances–and seeing absurdity where most do not.

Their sense of humor is certainly not for everyone, often most appreciated by people who are also similarly bright or intellectually avant-garde.

Intelligent people have a knack for making quips, in what many might consider inappropriate situations or settings, often revealing an intermediate level of comic timing in the process.

This all makes sense, as research has shown that processing and appreciating dark humor, especially the ironic or satirical kind, requires complex cognitive skills.

7) You have a preference for nighttime over day

In case you haven’t noticed, intelligent people tend to go against the grain, discontent with established societal norms and conventions.

Following typical schedules is no exception.

I don’t know what it is exactly, but there is something about the night that inherently seems to promote cognitive productivity and creativity.

Maybe this is because the evening is quiet and solitary by nature, with minimal distractions, thus allowing the brain to roam freely.

It’s hardly a coincidence then that many of the night owls I know also happen to be smart or creative people.

They work best at night when the rest of the world is deep in sleep.

Go figure.

8) You can adapt to changing situations

Smart people have a deep understanding of the world and of the nature of how things and people work.

They know that to stay intellectually afloat, they have to be willing to adjust and adapt to a changing world.

They say “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” but I’ve found that high IQ people regardless of age, old or young, will adapt and stay unrestricted and open to new ways of seeing and doing things.

Sure, I’ve met elderly people who shun anything new or novel, almost like a reflex.

But I’ve also met older people who stay open-minded and intellectually flexible, not excessively fixed in their ways.

Being open to change is always an asset, whether you’re a business or a normal person. Real talk.

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