Adrian Volenik
In a shallow world, people with deep personalities stick out as a zebra in a herd of horses.
Deep individuals have a wealth of wisdom and insights acquired through self-reflection and exploration of life’s more profound questions.
They offer valuable perspectives and guidance to others, encouraging personal and collective growth.
But people with deep personalities also do many things differently. Here are some of the more interesting ones.
1) Embrace solitude
I recently wrote about many positive things that happen when we embrace being alone. And people with deep personalities understand that being alone lets them thrive and grow in many ways.
They spend time contemplating their thoughts, feelings, and reactions to situations.
I, too, like spending time alone, although I have less and less such time as the years go by.
But embracing solitude doesn’t necessarily mean people with deep personalities are antisocial or introverted (though they can be).
Instead, it means they’re comfortable with their own company and want to connect with their inner selves on a deeper level.
2) Experience emotions intensely
Another thing that shows you have a deep personality is experiencing emotions intensely.
You see, people with deep personalities tend to feel emotions more deeply than others. Whether they’re joyous, sorrowful, or somewhere in between, these emotions are experienced with a certain richness and complexity.
For me, it’s seeing a sad news story.
That can stay with me long after I’ve read or heard about the event, especially if it’s about animals. That’s just devastating.
This event really struck a chord with me as it’s such a tragedy and isn’t talked much about anymore.
3) Avoid superficiality
Do you have an aversion to superficial aspects of life, like materialism or gossip? If so, you might have a deep personality and prefer engaging in substantial, meaningful conversations rather than indulging in shallow ones.
Deep people I know find discussions about ideas, values, dreams, and experiences far more engaging and rewarding than casual chit-chat about the weather.
They also avoid gossip and idle chatter, seeing it as a trivial and potentially harmful use of their time.
But they also present themselves as they truly are and don’t try to fit into societal norms or expectations. They also prefer other people who are genuine and sincere rather than those who put on a facade or try to impress others.
4) Care about personal growth
Another thing these types of people do differently is caring about personal growth. Not just their own but that of others and the society as a whole.
I don’t even have to mention that they’re avid readers and lifelong learners trying to expand their horizons.
People with deep personalities also often tend to offer unconventional or alternative perspectives on various topics. They challenge conventional wisdom, thinking outside the box and considering uncommon ideas or solutions.
5) Think about big questions
Additionally, those with a deep personality often engage in holistic thinking, considering the interconnectedness and interdependence of various aspects of life.
They see the bigger picture, recognizing the web of relationships and systems that shape our experiences.
Plus, they’re often fascinated by big existential questions about life, death, the universe, spirituality, morality, etc. And have unique, well-thought-out perspectives on these topics.
6) Have an interest in philosophy and psychology
The big-picture questions go hand-in-hand with having an interest in philosophy and psychology.
They study the human mind, emotions, and behavior, as well as contemplate philosophical concepts.
These areas allow them to delve into deep thought and ponder the nature of existence and human experience.
If you have a deep personality, you will look at TV shows like Seinfeld or South Park and see a vivid commentary of our society and not just a sitcom about nothing and a vulgar cartoon, respectively.
7) Sensitivity to synchronicities
Another thing that deep thinkers do differently is how they see the world around them. This includes synchronicity – events that appear meaningfully related and hold a more profound significance yet lack a causal connection.
People with deep personalities are often more attuned to them. They notice patterns, connections, or serendipitous events that give them guidance or meaning.
A famous example is thinking about an old friend you haven’t spoken to in years, and suddenly, you receive a phone call or message from that person out of the blue, expressing a desire to reconnect.
I’ve had this happen many times.
Or when you’re considering a career change and attending a networking event. While talking to people, you meet someone who works in your desired field and is looking for someone with your specific skills and experience.
This fortunate encounter feels like the universe aligning opportunities to support your aspirations.
Think about that for a moment.
8) Patience in problem-solving
Deep individuals have incredible patience and focus for unraveling personal and professional challenging issues. They recognize the importance of taking the time to thoroughly understand a problem before attempting to solve it.
For instance, having the patience to gather information, analyze different perspectives, and explore all relevant factors and variables.
They resist the urge to rush into solutions without a complete grasp of the problem at hand.
That’s why they excel at things like conflict resolution, research and investigation, strategic decision-making, mentorship, and project management.
9) Tolerance for ambiguity
And finally, people with a deep personality often have a higher tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty.
They embrace the gray areas of life, accepting that not everything has a clear-cut answer and that some questions may remain open-ended.
They approach life as an ongoing learning process.
Final thoughts
What do you think after reading this article? Do you have a deep personality? Are you doing things differently than the rest of society?
Having a deep personality has its pros and cons. Find out what signs show your personality is so deep that it’s intimidating others.
