7 strange habits that indicate a high level of intelligence

When we think of intelligent people, images of thick glasses, libraries full of books, and complex mathematical formulas often pop up.

But in reality, signs of high intelligence are much more subtle, and sometimes, downright peculiar.

They’re not always found in grand achievements but in quirky habits that onlookers might find unusual or even odd.

Here are 7 surprisingly unconventional habits that suggest a higher level of intelligence. They might appear weird, but each has an intriguing rationale and story behind it.

1) Daydreaming

Sure, you might get scolded in school for gazing out the window when you should be paying attention to the lecture.

But what people often fail to understand is that daydreaming can be a potent indicator of intelligence.

While it might seem like the daydreamer is just spacing out, that’s rarely the case.

The act of daydreaming is a complex cognitive process, requiring the brain to imagine, construct, and play out entire scenarios or concepts.

Interestingly, a study published in the journal “Neuropsychologia” found that daydreamers have a larger working memory, meaning they can juggle multiple thoughts simultaneously.

This allows them to be particularly effective at problem-solving and strategic planning. So the next time you catch someone daydreaming, don’t be too quick to judge.

They might be working out the solution to a problem you didn’t even know existed!

2) Constant curiosity

“Curiosity killed the cat,” as the saying goes. But in the realm of intelligence, curiosity is often the lifeblood of discovery and innovation.

Highly intelligent people often display a relentless curiosity about the world around them.

They ask seemingly “stupid” questions, but these questions are aimed at understanding the nuts and bolts of complex issues.

This thirst for knowledge isn’t confined to any specific field. They’re as interested in why the sky is blue as they are in quantum physics or the socioeconomic implications of poverty.

Their minds are constantly engaged, seeking, probing, and questioning everything they encounter.

This may strike some people as a strange habit. Why ask about seemingly mundane or irrelevant things?

But remember: The pursuit of knowledge for its own sake is a cornerstone of intelligence. There’s always a method to the madness, a purpose behind the incessant curiosity.

3) Talking to themselves

Do you remember that oddball in school who would often mutter to themselves, earning puzzled looks from others?

Well, it turns out they were on to something. Talking to oneself, also known as self-talk, is a habit found in many highly intelligent people.

No, it’s not a sign of insanity. On the contrary, self-talk can help clarify thoughts, consolidate memory, and reinforce learning.

It’s a method of organizing one’s thoughts and ideas, almost like thinking out loud.

The act of verbally processing information enables the speaker to understand and internalize concepts more effectively.

It’s like having a personal tutor who understands exactly how you learn best—and that tutor is you!

Einstein, known for his revolutionary theories, was famous for talking to himself. He believed it helped him clarify his thoughts and make sense of complex ideas.

So next time you see someone mumbling to themselves, they’re not necessarily eccentric or odd. They could just be processing the world in their unique, intelligent way.

4) Enjoying their own company

For some, the idea of being alone is akin to a death sentence. They thrive on constant social engagement and the energetic buzz of a crowd.

However, many highly intelligent people often seek solitude and are quite content spending time alone.

This isn’t because they’re unsociable or shy.

Rather, they understand the value of quiet introspection and reflection, of taking time out from the constant chatter of the world to focus on their thoughts and ideas.

Solitude gives them the opportunity to delve deeply into subjects of interest, to contemplate complex problems and think creatively without distraction.

Remember that many of history’s greatest inventions, theories, and artworks were conceived in moments of solitude.

So, if you see someone choosing to dine alone, read alone, or just sit quietly by themselves, it doesn’t mean they’re antisocial.

They might just be indulging in a little bit of genius cultivation.

5) Late night owls 

Ever wondered why some people are inveterately nocturnal, preferring to burn the midnight oil? 

This propensity towards being a night owl may be a sign of high intelligence. Research suggests that those with higher IQs are more likely to be nocturnal than those with average IQs.

Nighttime, with its peace and quiet, can be an ideal time for deep thinking and creativity.

The lack of interruptions, phone calls, or other daytime distractions, allows the mind to roam freely, solving problems, generating ideas, and dreaming up new concepts.

Of course, this habit might seem odd to the early birds, who can’t understand why anyone would voluntarily miss out on the beauty of sunrise.

But for the nocturnally inclined, the tranquil silence of the late-night is their sunrise.

6) Reading… a lot!

“What, another book? Don’t you have enough already?”

Many of us have probably heard this at some point, but voracious reading is another sign of high intelligence. And it’s not just about the quantity of reading, but also the diversity.

Highly intelligent people have an insatiable appetite for knowledge and ideas, and books are often their preferred method of feeding this hunger.

They read widely across different genres and subjects, immersing themselves in different perspectives and expanding their understanding of the world.

While others might see this as a strange obsession, it’s essential to remember that each book read is another step towards a broader, more nuanced understanding of our complex world.

The habit of reading constantly isn’t just about escaping reality or killing time.

It’s about relentlessly pursuing knowledge and understanding, even when others might not understand the fascination.

7) Habitual walking

While the sight of someone pacing back and forth might lead you to believe they’re anxious or worried, it could just be that they’re deep in thought.

Walking is a habit that many highly intelligent people share.

The act of moving about seems to stimulate creative thinking and problem-solving, making it a go-to habit for many great minds.

Several studies have demonstrated that walking, particularly outdoors, boosts creative ideation in real time and shortly after.

It seems that the rhythmic nature of walking helps to set a kind of cognitive pace, allowing thoughts to flow more freely.

Charles Dickens reportedly walked for miles each day, finding inspiration for his works in the process.

And philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.”

It’s a habit that might seem pointless to others. Why walk around aimlessly when you could be sitting comfortably?

But for those who regularly engage in contemplative walks, it’s an essential part of their cognitive toolkit.

A simple walk is more than just exercise; it’s a journey into the depths of one’s own mind.

Notable strange thinkers

Just as unconventional habits are associated with high intelligence, the annals of history are replete with notably “strange” thinkers who achieved incredible things.

These individuals defied norms and brought forth ideas that revolutionized the world.

Albert Einstein

No list of intelligent thinkers would be complete without Einstein, whose theory of relativity forever changed our understanding of physics.

Known for his wild hair and eccentric behavior, Einstein often displayed habits seen as peculiar, such as his aforementioned self-talk and his preference for solitude.

He was famously quoted as saying, “I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity.”

Marie Curie

The first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and the only person to win in two different scientific fields (Physics and Chemistry!!!)

Curie was known for her unyielding dedication to her work, even to the detriment of her health.

She often lost track of time while working, sometimes forgetting to eat or sleep.

While others might have viewed her work habits as excessively unusual, this single-minded focus led her to groundbreaking discoveries about radioactivity.

Leonardo da Vinci

A man of many talents, da Vinci was an inventor, artist, scientist, and writer.

Known for his insatiable curiosity, da Vinci filled notebooks with observations, sketches, and ideas.

He also had unconventional sleeping habits, following a polyphasic sleep schedule known as the ‘Uberman’s sleep cycle’, involving 20-minute naps every four hours.

Nikola Tesla

Known for his significant contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system, Tesla had numerous peculiar habits.

He was fixated on the number three and was obsessed with cleanliness, having an aversion to pearls and round objects.

Final words

Our world is replete with norms and conventions, but true brilliance often lies off the beaten path.

As we’ve seen, intelligence can manifest in peculiar habits that many might find strange. 

Embrace your quirks and peculiarities, for they might be your personal signs of genius. 

Remember: It’s often the oddballs, the dreamers, and the eccentrics who end up changing the world.

So dare to be different and let your unique intelligence shine!

Related: Exploring the complicated link between intelligence and discrimination