Have you ever run into someone who insists they’re unlike anyone else you’ve ever met?

I know I have.

They’ll practically announce it the moment you meet them, as though their quirks set them a mile above the crowd.

Funny enough, I used to be intrigued by this type of person. I remember thinking, “Wow, maybe they do see the world differently.”

But the truth is, once you scratch beneath the surface, their behavior is more predictable than they’d ever want to admit.

My goal here is to walk you through seven behaviors these “I’m not like other people” folks tend to display—behaviors I’ve seen in coworkers, relatives, and even a couple of dates back in the day.

And just so you know, I’m not labeling anyone as bad or worthless. I’m simply pointing out some patterns that can help you navigate those relationships more mindfully.

Let’s jump right in.

1. They make a grand show of rejecting the mainstream

One of the first things I notice about someone who loudly claims they’re “different” is how they reject anything popular, sometimes in an almost theatrical way

They’ll say they don’t watch mainstream shows, or they disdain popular music because it’s “too generic” for their refined tastes.

Psychologists call this the “false uniqueness bias”, which is is when you think you’re more special—or more different—than you actually are.

Instead of just enjoying their preferences quietly, they seem to need everyone to know they’ve chosen the “road less traveled.” 

It’s not just that they don’t like what’s mainstream—it’s that they believe avoiding it makes them better. That sense of superiority isn’t about taste; it’s about identity.

I remember chatting with someone at a party who rolled their eyes when someone mentioned Taylor Swift. Not because they’d listened and didn’t vibe with her music—but because, in their words, “Anything that popular can’t possibly have depth.” 

I didn’t argue, but I couldn’t help thinking… doesn’t that say more about their need to feel unique than it does about the music?

This need to distance themselves from anything “too common” can sometimes make relationships tricky. It’s hard to connect with someone who’s constantly defining themselves by what they aren’t rather than who they truly are.

2. They drop hints about their tortured genius

These are the people who revel in telling you how “nobody understands” them.

They might reference complicated creative projects that never quite see the light of day.

They’ll suggest they’re burdened by “genius-level” ideas, so normal people can’t grasp them.

I once had a colleague who constantly talked about an “earth-shattering novel” she was writing.

After months of hype, I realized she hadn’t written more than a few pages.

The performance of being misunderstood was more compelling to her than actually creating something unique.

Why?

Because true creative work demands vulnerability and persistence. And that’s not as glamorous as declaring yourself a lone genius.

If you look carefully, you might see that these “misunderstood artists” rarely finish the projects they can’t stop talking about.

They prefer the image of a creative rebel to the real work of creation.

3. They give condescending “life lessons” as if they’re the only ones who’ve discovered them

Let me guess: you’ve heard phrases like “I do my own thing, so you should learn to do yours,” or “I’ve always known how to handle conflict, unlike most people.”

It’s this patronizing way of dishing out life advice, implying they’ve cracked some code the rest of us are still fumbling to find.

I’ve had a few run-ins with people like this in my life—especially when I was struggling post-divorce and trying to set up a new routine for my son and me.

Someone would swoop in, telling me they’d do things entirely differently because they’re just built that way.

Which leads me to a question: if you’re so enlightened, why the need to constantly announce it?

Here’s a brief bullet list of how this might show up:

• They reduce your situation to a simple moral failing, like “You’re just not seeing the big picture.” 
• They name-drop self-help books or gurus to show they’ve done “all the work.” 
• They talk at you, not with you, leaving no room for genuine conversation. 

I’m all for receiving advice when it’s thoughtful and rooted in true empathy. But when someone is just waiting for their turn to brag about how much more evolved they are, it feels less like wisdom and more like self-centeredness.

4. They see themselves as above common struggles

Whenever a group of friends talks about challenges—like juggling jobs and parenthood, or saving for the future—these individuals announce they simply “don’t let stress get to them,” or “never worry about money because they’re not materialistic.”

They’ll roll their eyes at folks who plan their lives around basic responsibilities.

Frankly, I find it dismissive.

By claiming their problems are more existential or spiritual, they minimize practical hardships everyone else faces.

So the next time someone implies they’re simply too “special” to be bogged down by everyday concerns, watch for signs of inauthenticity.

5. They exaggerate their emotional isolation

This type will often claim they’re “so lonely” because no one can match their depth.

But if you spend time around them, you’ll notice they don’t put in real effort to connect. They might flake on plans or mock people for liking “ordinary” things.

Eventually, others back off. And that’s when they lament how nobody understands them.

Real talk – genuine connections demand mutual respect and curiosity. Pretending you’re too unique to find common ground with anyone is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You remain isolated, not because you’re truly unrelatable, but because you push away every potential friend who doesn’t check some imaginary box.

It’s a classic move to protect one’s ego—if you’re always “above it all,” you never have to face rejection on equal terms.

6. They dramatize conflict instead of resolving it

Another hallmark is how they handle disagreements.

They’ll say, “You’re attacking me because you can’t handle how real I am.”

Or, “People always try to bring me down because they feel threatened by my individuality.”

The drama becomes the spotlight.

Instead of working through the problem (or accepting compromise), they paint themselves as the constant underdog.

As the folks at Psychology Today point out, “Drama often masks a deeper identity crisis, where creating chaos becomes a way to feel real and significant.”

What’s really going on beneath the surface? Often, it’s not about the actual disagreement—it’s about needing to feel important. 

By turning every misunderstanding into a personal attack, they keep the emotional spotlight squarely on themselves. It becomes less about the facts and more about how misunderstood or “persecuted” they feel.

7. They cycle through grand proclamations without real follow-through

There’s one last piece I want to share.

People who constantly highlight how different they are tend to announce big plans and radical changes, only to switch gears without warning.

One month, they’re convinced they’ll move across the country to “start fresh,” and the next, they’re onto a new ambition.

If questioned, they’ll say, “I just got bored,” or “I’m too free-spirited to be pinned down.”

But let me tell you, real transformation usually comes from consistent steps over time, not from constant rebrands.

When I worked in marketing, I saw firsthand how chasing trends and never sticking to one path left brands (and people) scattered and exhausted.

This pattern isn’t freedom; it’s often avoidance.

The big proclamations keep the spotlight on them, but the lack of follow-through means they never fully commit to any real progress.

Conclusion

I wrote this piece because I’ve encountered too many individuals who believe being “not like other people” gives them a free pass to act predictably and sometimes hurtfully.

If you’ve recognized any of these signs in someone you know—or even in yourself—take a moment to reflect on what’s really driving them.

True uniqueness shows up in consistent actions, genuine curiosity, and respect for others’ experiences. It doesn’t scream for attention or talk down to everyone around it.

Real individuality thrives in authenticity, not performance. Embrace who you are, but stay open to growth.

And if you find yourself surrounded by people who keep claiming they’re too unusual for ordinary life, remember it’s okay to set boundaries.

After all, we can’t choose how others behave, but we can always choose how we respond.