11 unusual habits that reveal a truly authentic person

Have you ever wondered what makes truly authentic people stand out? Those captivating individuals who effortlessly radiate authenticity and originality?

From embracing their quirks to speaking their minds, genuine people have habits that will inspire you to embrace your true self and connect with others on a deeper level too.

Let’s uncover the surprising ways you can spot a genuinely authentic person.

1) Expressing themselves in unconventional ways

I know some authentic people that like to express themselves through unique fashion choices. 

I also know even more non-authentic people who do this to be seen as genuine. 

For that reason, if someone is expressing themselves in unusual ways, it’s not always a sign of an authentic person, especially when it comes to clothes and fashion choices. 

But in the end, authentic people ignite a spark of creativity and individuality in all of us, reminding us that self-expression knows no boundaries or limitations.  

Original people aren’t defined by just one action. So, let’s see what else they have in stock. 

2) Embracing imperfections

Nobody’s perfect, and it’s our small imperfections that define us to the outside world. For better or worse.

Authentic people are often different from the rest of society because they’re aware of that fact, and they don’t try to hide their imperfections, quirks, oddities, and scars, emotional or physical. 

In fact, they often embrace them openly. 

They also openly acknowledge their mistakes, taking responsibility for them and using them as opportunities to learn and grow. 

Can you say that about yourself? Do you wear your flaws on your sleeve? 

Let’s try to see others as human and accept and praise them, and not criticize their flaws and deny them their humanity.

3) Engaging in random acts of kindness

Genuine people treat others with respect and kindness. They do this regardless of people’s background or status. They also value inclusivity and demonstrate genuine care for the well-being of those around them.

They extend this well beyond their friends and family. 

But what separates them even more is the habit of regularly engaging in random acts of kindness without seeking recognition or expecting anything in return. 

They genuinely care about creating a positive impact in people’s lives, no matter how small or unexpected the gesture. 

4) Maintaining childlike wonder 

Finding joy in simple pleasures and maintaining a sense of awe is easy when we embrace the beauty of the present moment and allow ourselves to fully immerse in the wonders around us.

You know how a kid can turn any object into a fascinating toy?

Well, some genuine people have maintained this ability, and they still daydream, doodle, or invent new ideas with a mind full of imagination. 

Maintaining curiosity doesn’t mean they’re naive or immature. They simply preserve a sense of curiosity, joy, and openness to the world, much like children do.

We all had a childlike wonder about life. But the truth is that most of us lost it a long, long time ago. 

Genuine people simply approach the world with a fresh perspective. They also have this next unusual habit. 

5) Embracing solitude in nature 

Nature lets us recharge, reflect, and connect with our inner selves. Unfortunately, it seems that fewer people are out and about hiking, walking, running, sitting, or contemplating in nature. 

Authentic people I know, often find solace and inspiration in spending time alone in nature. 

It’s a powerful practice that allows them to disconnect from the noise and distractions of modern life and reconnect with their inner selves.

If you aren’t practicing this regularly, it’s time to start. Spending time alone in nature also means you are comfortable with silence. 

6) Being comfortable with silence

Being an introvert, I’m comfortable with silence. I don’t feel the need to fill every gap in the conversation and prefer listening to talking.

Genuine people, on the other hand, truly understand the power of silence and use it, not only to reflect and listen, but to find profound presence and awareness, as well as appreciation. 

Silence provides an opportunity to be fully present in the moment, embracing the beauty of the here and now.

Think about that for a moment. 

7) Avoiding gossip and small talk 

If you’re like most people, you like to engage in small talk and even gossip. These two behaviors are the fabric of our society. 

People connect with others by talking about other people behind their backs, among other things. Love it or hate it, it’s how it is. 

But honest people find small talk and gossip unfulfilling or exhausting and would rather discuss substantial or intellectual topics. 

This makes them even more unusual, especially in social or professional settings where small talk and gossip are the norm.

8) Practicing unconventional hobbies 

Do you have a hobby? Is it watching Netflix, playing Wordle or other video games, or listening to music? If so, welcome to the club.

But authentic people often engage in hobbies or interests that are considered unique or unconventional. 

They follow their passions and explore activities that truly resonate with them, even if they may be unconventional or not widely understood by others.

Things like urban exploration, extreme sports, historical reenactment, and foraging (identifying and collecting wild edible plants, mushrooms, or herbs) are just some of the hobbies of authentic people I know.  

Are these hobbies weird? Only to the rest of us. 

9) Disconnecting from social media 

Most of us have accounts on several social media platforms. Although they help us connect to our friends and family, especially if we live further away, they can also hurt our self-image. 

Genuine people often don’t have social media or use it sparingly because they prefer genuine, face-to-face interactions and don’t feel the need to create a curated, idealized version of themselves online.  

Not hanging out on social media also means they aren’t exposed to harmful and annoying content like the rest of us, helping them maintain a more balanced, realistic perspective on life.

If you can’t disconnect from social media, I recommend that you retrain the algorithm to show you only useful content by searching for it and interacting with it regularly. 

You’ll be surprised at how different your feed will look very soon. 

10) Minimalism or nomadic lifestyle 

Disconnecting from social media often goes hand-in-hand with a minimalistic or even nomadic lifestyle

These lifestyles have many things going for them, but they’re not for everyone. But if you can pull it off, you will not only declutter your life and simplify it but also generally save a lot of money because you won’t be buying so much stuff. 

Many authentic people value experiences over possessions and prefer freedom and mobility.

11) Standing up for their beliefs

And last but not least, authentic individuals stand up for their beliefs even if it means going against the crowd or popular opinion. 

The choices they make aren’t generally mainstream and reflect their personal convictions. 

I remember when my now wife and I decided not to eat meat anymore. That was more than 12 years ago already. 

Our friends and family constantly mocked us and questioned our (then) unusual habit on almost every occasion. 

That’s what you get when you stick out like a sore thumb from the rest of your social circle. 

Final thoughts

As you can see, being genuine often comes with its own set of problems. But authentic people either endure or don’t really care what society thinks of them. 

They don’t let fear dictate their paths, and the things they do often come from their hearts without them even realizing it. 

 

Adrian Volenik

Adrian has years of experience in the field of personal development and building wealth. Both physical and spiritual. He has a deep understanding of the human mind and a passion for helping people enhance their lives. Adrian loves to share practical tips and insights that can help readers achieve their personal and professional goals. He has lived in several European countries and has now settled in Portugal with his family. When he’s not writing, he enjoys going to the beach, hiking, drinking sangria, and spending time with his wife and son.

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