When you’re young, conformity and obedience are a big deal. 

People who were a bit different were typically dismissed as weird or uncool. 

Oh, the naivete of youth. 

As we get older, our preferences for what’s desirable in a person begin to change. 

Suddenly, the concept of “cool” is no longer reserved for jocks, rich kids, and wannabe DJs. 

Suddenly, intelligence, even eccentricity, becomes a bit more valued. 

The traits and habits that would once reduce you to a social outcast become accepted, even appreciated. 

But where does one draw the line between intelligent and just plain strange? I’m here to help. 

In this article, I’ll take you through some of the habits of genuinely intelligent people. 

If a few of these items sound familiar, chances are, you have some pretty big brains. 

Let’s get to it! 

1) Asking thoughtful questions

There’s a reason why intelligent people tend to gravitate towards more serious conversations over small talk.

They know how vapid and predictable talking about the weather can be. 

Hence, they typically tend to prioritize deep, more intimate interactions. 

This sentiment is often reflected in their choice of questioning. 

To be intelligent means to be naturally inquisitive. 

When things don’t immediately add up or are lacking in sheer logic, intelligent people will voice their opinions and ask follow-up questions. 

They don’t just blindly accept what they’re told like most people. 

They’d rather challenge assumptions, and even established beliefs, by asking hard-hitting, thought-provoking questions. 

2) Active listening

Most people would much rather hear themselves talk rather than have to listen to someone else.

Trust me, I know many people who can go on about themselves for hours, oblivious, even indifferent, to the other person (or people) involved. 

Intelligent people gain information and knowledge, in large part, because they actually tend to pay close attention to what others are saying. 

In other words, they’re interested and invested; they won’t just turn to their phones when you decide to chime in. 

They appreciate fresh perspectives and opinions rather than confining themselves to a limited set of beliefs. 

3) Having a minimalist approach to life

Intelligent people tend to have a more defined set of priorities in life. 

They aren’t often distracted by flashy, hollow things, like brand names, expensive cars, overpriced clothes, and so on. 

They’re not diverted by the bright lights of materialism, by the desire to hoard stuff they don’t need. 

Instead, they consistently stay true to themselves and their needs in life, something that manifests as a minimalist lifestyle. 

Intelligent people value simplicity, efficiency, and elegance in how they approach life, which allows them to avoid unnecessary distractions… and filter out all the noise. 

And believe me, it really is just all noise. 

4) Appreciating for silence 

Speaking of eliminating noise, intelligent people value silence and stillness far more than average. 

In case you haven’t noticed, these days, nobody is safe from incessant, unnecessary volume. 

Step outside your home and you’ll run into somebody with their speakers on full blast, in a matter of seconds.

Take a cab, the driver has 80s pop cranked up in his vehicle. 

Go on social media and the infinite, empty, yet boisterous stimuli on there will eventually numb your mind. 

All of the examples I mentioned are counterproductive to thought and reflection, two things intelligent people tend to enjoy and value. 

This is why intelligent people are often characterized by their regular need and appreciation for unadulterated silence. 

They aren’t afraid to be introspective, they aren’t fearful of their own thoughts. 

5) Mindful observation

Most people are too busy or self-involved to truly sit back and observe life. 

Intelligent people don’t just observe science theories, they observe their surroundings in general, however mundane.

They can take a step back and pick up on the little things, the small details, that most tend to neglect. 

This makes them highly perceptive. 

From a creative perspective, keen observation is critical.

Think of the great novelists, filmmakers, comedians, poets, and so on… What’s one similarity they all have? 

They’re all observers of humans, and the human condition, which makes their output all the more profound. 

6) Having diverse interests 

Smart people aren’t just experts in their chosen fields… they often know a little bit of everything. 

Why? Because by their very nature, they don’t restrict themselves intellectually.

Having a lot of mental and intellectual real estate means plenty of room for a diverse range of interests. 

An intelligent person tends to dabble in several mentally stimulating fields. 

For a smart person, the more knowledge they acquire, the better. 

This openness to learning makes them worldly and naturally adaptable. 

In different social or professional settings, they’re able to adjust their behaviors and strategies depending on the mood and vibe. 

They don’t shut down, unable and unwilling to be flexible. 

Their widespread interests allow them to consistently, even effortlessly, blend in. 

7) Having a healthy skepticism 

The majority of people tend to just accept what they’re told, rarely asking questions and challenging those assertions. 

Another parallel I’ve noticed about really smart people is that they tend to be a little skeptical.

Sometimes in life, things don’t always add up, and intelligent people will always pick up on this. 

Intelligent people tend to value and demand substantial evidence before proceeding. 

Hence, when it comes to established institutions like religious tradition or other forms of authority, they always approach these topics with skepticism rather than accept them outright. 

They reject blind faith. 

And for a lot of the time, despite being spot on with their views, they’re still ostracized for being in the minority, dismissed as wrong, or even unethical. 

In reality, though, smart people just are far ahead of their time. 

Final thoughts 

If the contents of this article resonate with you, rest assured, you aren’t weird or in the wrong, you’re likely just highly intelligent. 

Keep doing what you’re doing. 

Keep questioning and approaching life differently, with doubt and skepticism. 

In a world of obedience, having avant-garde thinkers like you around is critical. 

Those who count will firmly understand this.