Jelena Dincic
Have you ever been accused of being oblivious to your surroundings?
Well, this couldn’t be further from the truth, could it?
People assume that just because you don’t react to every little thing, you don’t notice it happening.
But actually, you’re a lot more perceptive than people give you credit for.
In this article, we’ll explore 12 subtle signs that indicate you’re picking up on more than you let on.
1) You like to people watch
People watching involves observing everything from how someone dresses, to how they interact with other people.
So while some people may think you’re unobservant, your “hobby” says otherwise. You literally like to sit in a café or park and just observe the people around you.
You pretty much know the timetable of everyone in the neighborhood.
You know what time you can expect the old lady with the dog to walk by, when the young couple with matching outfits goes to pick up their kid from school, and when that hottie from down the street goes jogging.
I’d say that’s a subtle sign that you’re pretty perceptive.
2) You’re able to read the room
When I say you can “read the room” what I mean is that you can understand the mood and dynamics of a group of people in any number of given situations.
This can be a very useful skill to have in both your personal and professional life.
Now, when you read the room, you usually notice things that others aren’t aware of.
You’re quick to pick up on nonverbal cues: I’m talking about reading body language and subtle facial expressions.
And what good does that do?
It gives you insight into how others are feeling!
Sometimes people say one thing and mean another and the only way to know when something is not quite right is to look for nonverbal signals that people send out unconsciously with their bodies and facial expressions.
The ability to pick up on these signals shows deep emotional intelligence and can be a valuable tool in navigating social situations.
You’re able to pick up on subtleties in tone and inflection: Just like body language, subtleties in tone and inflection can convey what isn’t being said.
Think about talking to someone who is sad or upset over the phone. You can’t see their face and they say everything is okay but you can tell they’re just saying that to keep you from worrying.
Well, that’s because you’re perceptive and can detect changes in someone’s tone and inflection.
3) You’re self-aware
So, what exactly does it mean to be self-aware? Aren’t we all?
As a matter of fact, we’re not. Being self-aware means understanding your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, as well as how they relate to the world around you. It involves being able to reflect on your own experiences and to recognize your strengths and weaknesses.
But that’s not all…
Being self-aware also means knowing how to recognize your triggers and being attuned to your emotional responses to different situations. This can give you insight into how others may be feeling as well.
In short: Being self-aware is a sign that you’re more perceptive than people think.
4) You’re a good listener
It’s only by being a good listener that we can start to get a picture of what’s not being said.
Being a good listener isn’t about nodding your head and waiting your turn to speak.
In fact, it’s not even about hearing the other person. It’s all about focusing your attention on them and trying to understand their message, not just the words coming out of their mouths.
As I already mentioned earlier, it requires interpreting their tone, body language, and other nonverbal cues.
But it also means asking the right questions.
Plus, good listeners are able to set aside their own thoughts and feelings and fully engage with the speaker. They show empathy and understanding and can communicate more effectively with others because they have insight and know how to respond.
Overall, if you’re a good listener, it’s another subtle sign that you’re more perceptive than you get credit for.
5) You’re intuitive
The thing about intuition is that a lot of people tend to ignore it. But why?
Because it involves trusting your gut instinct rather than relying on logic and reason. Because a lot of people think it’s some spiritual nonsense.
But intuition isn’t magic, it’s perception.
It involves being able to pick up on subtle cues and patterns in your environment and in your interactions with others. You won’t even be aware of it but you’ll constantly be making a mental note of everything.
Intuition can be particularly useful in situations where you don’t have all the information or when you need to make a quick decision. It allows you to rely on your gut feeling, which can sometimes be more accurate than relying on rational analysis alone.
And the best part?
Intuition can also help you to understand people’s underlying motivations and emotions, which can be especially useful in social situations and relationships when you’re trying to figure out if you should trust someone.
So, if your intuition is spot-on, chances are it’s because you’re a very perceptive person.
6) You’re detail-oriented
If you’re one of those people that can’t watch a TV show or movie without noticing all continuity errors, it’s a sign that you have a keen eye for detail and are particularly perceptive when it comes to visual information.
And while the people closest to you may find your inability to just relax and watch something without pointing out all the errors annoying, your attention to detail can actually be quite useful.
For example, in certain fields such as graphic design, architecture, and visual arts it’s considered to be quite an asset.
7) You have an elephant’s memory
I have a terrible memory. I wonder if that means I’m not too perceptive, or if it’s something else…
Turns out that perceptive people tend to have better memories than non-perceptive, oblivious people. That’s because they pay extra attention to everything that goes on around them.
Let me give you an example:
Someone who’s not too perceptive might notice someone walk into a bar and order a drink. However, a perceptive person will notice a woman with long blonde hair wearing a red dress with red heels walk awkwardly over to the bar and nervously order a martini.
Can you see the difference? It’s the details that help a perceptive person remember things.
Does that sound like you?
If it does and you’ve checked off some other points I’ve mentioned, it’s a surefire sign that you’re more perceptive than people think.
8) You can always tell when someone is lying
From spotting inconsistencies in someone’s story, to watching them nervously bite their nails, avoid eye contact, and stutter when they’re talking to you, your gift for knowing when someone is lying is another sign that you pick up on stuff other people miss.
9) You think well on your feet
Have you noticed that in moments of “crisis”, when everyone is panicking and wondering what to do, you’re coming up with solutions?
That’s because you’re a very observant person whose mind is always working – taking in information, processing it, and looking for a response.
That’s why you’re great to have around when there’s an emergency at work or when your friends are in trouble and need help.
10) You’re very empathic
From feeling joy when you see children laughing in the park to crying when you see someone suffer, you easily get overwhelmed by other people’s emotions.
But it’s not just the obvious stuff. You can also pick up on things that people are trying to hide. Because of your perception, you always know when something’s up.
11) You never get lost
You always know where you are because you pay attention to your environment.
There’s no way you’d go around in a circle and go, “Wait, wasn’t I already here? Didn’t I already pass by that weird building?”
And your highly perceptive nature is a great asset when it comes to reading maps and having a sense of direction…
12) You’re present
Here’s what I mean by “being present”. I mean that you’re mindful of your surroundings, of the people around you, of the sounds and smells, of what is being said, of everything that’s going on.
You don’t walk down the street lost in thought about the past or wondering what will happen tomorrow. You don’t stare at your phone. You notice the passers-by, the cars honking, the smell of coffee brewing…
And do you know what?
That’s what mindfulness practitioners like myself aim for when we do mindfulness meditation, only you seem to naturally be in a state of present mindfulness! Well, I’d like to see someone try and tell you that you’re not perceptive now!
