Daniel Mabanta
Think of some of the truly innovative and creative minds of our era. Have some people in mind? Well, I can assure you they didn’t reach those astonishing heights by playing it safe and striving to be normal.
The word “eccentric” is almost taboo in this world. The term often has negative connotations; when someone’s eccentric, they’re also “weird,” and nobody wants to be seen as weird.
In reality, having an eccentric mindset can be an absolute asset in this world when harnessed with the right energy!
In this article, we will explore 10 signs that your eccentric personality is a gift, not a flaw. Let’s dig a little deeper.
1) You look at things from a unique angle
Look, normies tend to think alike. And when everyone thinks alike and has the same life aspirations, things get a tad boring.
Think about it: most people want a decent job, a low-interest mortgage, and maybe a family eventually.
Sure, there’s nothing inherently wrong with any of these things but they’re just a little… stagnant.
The eccentric person has a different approach to life. They don’t view things as linear and formulaic. They tend to value different things like adventure or niche interests.
And because they think differently, they tend to be pretty creative…
2) You are a creative soul
Think of the greatest creative minds of all time, from Jean Michel Basquiat to Stanley Kubrick to Vincent Van Gogh.
I promise you, the genius of Basquiat didn’t reach such mind-altering artistic prominence by working as a part-time insurance salesman. He was the furthest thing from conventional and he embraced this individuality.
The truth is, without his ability to think and act eccentrically, he wouldn’t have been able to create such timeless pieces of art.
This goes for any great artist. Creativity defies convention and to some extent is rooted in eccentricity.
3) You are a generally passionate person
Here’s the thing: eccentric people tend to be more intense than the rest of us. Let’s just say they’re not your standard Tom, Dick, and Harry types.
Sometimes, this behavior can make people uncomfortable. But that intensity fuels their passion for amazing work and feats.
Eccentric people like you often have an innate passion and focus that triggers you to excel in your chosen fields and even your relationships.
4) You embrace your individuality
Fun fact! Truly eccentric people couldn’t give two sh*ts about what other people think about them.
They are too preoccupied with more fulfilling pursuits. They don’t tend to conform to trends and could care less about the collective opinion of “society.”
They’re unapologetically themselves, which makes them authentic. And ironically, it’s this boldness (and subconscious bravery) that elevates them to achieve the great things they do–which oftentimes create the trends in the first place.
It’s not uncommon: the eccentrics create, and the rest follow.
You innovate because you’re unafraid to walk alone. This brings me to my next point…
5) You enjoy solitude
I’ll be honest with you, the most eccentric people I’ve come across in life tend to have that ‘loner’ vibe.
They value their independence and solitude rather than distract themselves with petty things like groups of people they don’t really know or like.
Solitude in itself can be special as it allows you to self-reflect and create wonderful, timeless things.
A distinguished writer might spend weeks at a solitary location because it frees them from distraction and almost forcibly stimulates the flow of ripe creative juices.
6) People consider you a free thinker
Newsflash! Eccentric personalities are no fans of the status quo and convention.
You are not mentally confined by societal barriers, you have the ability to look outside and around the box, making some pretty transformative discoveries in the process.
While other people are meek and want to play it safe, you have no qualms about rocking the boat a little bit.
Sometimes, this can backfire. But other times, your tenacity can change the world!
7) You have no issues taking risks
As we’ve established, eccentric people like you don’t play it safe like the rest of us.
You tend to have a sense of adventure and the courage to leap out of your comfort zone.
With great risk comes great reward. The fact that you have the capability to take risks can lead to great things and self-growth.
8) They are empathetic toward others
I’ll break it down for you: eccentric people may be different but they have the same human emotions as everyone else.
In fact, when you’re eccentric, your sensitivity might even be heightened; thus your compassion and perspective for others and their situations are equally as intense.
Go to any national art gallery, for instance. Some of the most renowned pieces of art will inevitably depict the blue-collar struggles of poor people often against authoritarian or fascist governments.
And guess who probably created such works? Eccentric people!
9) You like being different
Let’s face it, most of us strive to be the same. We don’t want to stray too far off the beaten path because it’s a risk for our image or whatever other lame reasons.
You, on the other hand, champion your differences and correctly perceive them as an asset in life when used properly.
You are acutely aware that when it comes to revolutionary minds, thinking like a sheep will only take you as far as the herd.
10) You have an offbeat sense of humor
I’ll be straight with you: when you have the ability to make people laugh, then you’re miles ahead of the game.
The eccentric people I’ve known in life have been funny in their own inventive and original ways.
They see the absurdity of the world in a unique way leading to frequent offbeat or quirky comments. Their comedic timing is impeccable. As is their originality.
And really, who doesn’t like a funny person? Humor is the great icebreaker in social situations, regularly bringing joy to everyone, and an invaluable tool for networking and making new connections.
Conclusion
With the right mentality, having an eccentric personality is a gift, not a flaw. This is particularly true if you’re in a field that involves creativity or innovation.
Remember, playing it safe and being like everyone else is fine, but to be truly great requires some boldness. And boldness often manifests as eccentricity.
So if you consider yourself a bit on the eccentric side, keep cultivating that energy the right way–you’ll reap the rewards soon enough!
