As an intelligent individual, you might find certain things wearing you out that others don’t seem to notice. According to psychology, there are specific triggers that can be particularly draining for the intellectually gifted.
In this article, we’re going to dive into these exhausting elements – ten things, to be precise, that only intelligent people find tiresome.
If you’ve ever felt out of sync with those around you, or ever wondered why certain things tire you more than they should, keep reading. You’re about to get some answers.
1) Small talk
Intelligent people often find small talk to be, well, small. And not just in the sense of it being inconsequential, but also in how draining it can be.
According to psychology, those with higher intellect tend to seek out more substantial, thought-provoking conversations. They thrive on deep discussions about significant issues, complex ideas, or fascinating theories.
But small talk? Not so much.
Small talk often involves sticking to safe topics, avoiding any real depth or controversy. It’s casual, easy, and usually doesn’t require much thought. For many people, it’s a comfortable way to connect with others or fill awkward silences.
However, for intelligent individuals, this lack of depth can be a source of frustration and exhaustion. The lack of mental stimulation involved in discussing the weather or last night’s TV shows can leave them feeling mentally undernourished and drained.
2) Multitasking
Here’s a confession: I’ve always been one of those people who take pride in their multitasking skills. Juggling multiple tasks at once made me feel efficient and productive. But over time, I found it increasingly exhausting. It turns out; I’m not alone in this.
Psychology tells us that intelligent people often find multitasking tiring and counterproductive. They prefer to focus on one task at a time, fully immersing themselves in it until it’s completed before moving onto the next.
Focusing on one thing allows them to tap into their creativity, problem-solving skills and produce a higher quality of work. On the flip side, constantly switching between tasks can lead to mental fatigue and poorer quality output.
So, while it might seem like a good idea to respond to emails while on a conference call and simultaneously planning your next project – it can be more tiring and less productive than we think.
And for someone like me – who values efficiency and quality – that’s a hard pill to swallow! But recognizing this has led me to rethink my approach and prioritize focused work over multitasking.
3) Inefficiency
For intelligent people, there’s something uniquely grating about inefficiency. Unnecessary processes, redundant tasks, or just plain old doing things the long way around can be incredibly exhausting for the intellectually gifted.
Individuals with higher intelligence tend to have better problem-solving skills and a knack for spotting patterns and systems. They’re often able to see a more efficient way of doing things. And when they can’t implement these improvements, due to bureaucracy or other constraints, it frustrates them.
Did you know that Albert Einstein, for example, was known for his distaste for inefficiency? He’s quoted as saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
No wonder inefficiency can be so exhausting for the intelligent mind – it goes against their very nature!
4) Lack of intellectual stimulation
Intelligent people crave intellectual stimulation like a plant craves sunlight. They thrive on learning new things, solving complex problems, and engaging in deep, thought-provoking discussions.
So, when they find themselves in an environment devoid of such stimulation, it can be incredibly tiring. This could be a job that doesn’t challenge them, a social setting where trivial matters are the main topic of conversation, or even leisure activities that don’t engage their minds.
Without this mental engagement, they can feel restless, bored, and mentally unfulfilled. In some cases, it can even lead to a state of existential ennui – a deep-seated dissatisfaction with life.
If you see an intelligent person switching off during a mundane task or zoning out in a shallow conversation, understand that it’s their brain craving for something more intellectually satisfying.
5) Noise and distractions
For many intelligent people, a noisy, chaotic environment can be mentally exhausting. This isn’t just about being sensitive to noise; it’s about their ability to concentrate and think deeply.
According to psychology, those with higher intelligence often exhibit a trait called “latent inhibition”. This is the brain’s ability to filter out irrelevant information, allowing us to focus on what’s important.
People with lower latent inhibition are more aware of the details in their surroundings, which could lead to creativity but also distractions. On the contrary, those with higher latent inhibition can better ignore irrelevant stimuli and concentrate on their tasks.
When you see someone wearing headphones or seeking out a quiet corner in a bustling office, they might just be an intelligent person trying to create a conducive environment for their brain to work at its best.
6) Emotional intensity
This might come as a surprise, but intelligent people can find their own depth of emotions draining. They often experience feelings more intensely than others, and this emotional depth, while beautiful, can also be incredibly exhausting.
They feel joy and happiness profoundly, but they also feel sadness, disappointment, and frustration deeply. This can make them more empathetic and compassionate, but it also makes them more susceptible to emotional exhaustion.
The world is often experienced through a heightened lens – more vivid, but also more challenging. It’s like living life in high-definition: the beautiful parts are stunning, but the hard parts are that much harder.
If you know someone intelligent who seems to experience life more intensely than others, remember – it’s not that they’re being dramatic or over-sensitive. They’re just beautifully and exhaustively in tune with their emotions.
7) Perfectionism
As someone who has always been labeled as “intelligent,” I’ve often found myself trapped in the cycle of perfectionism. Whether it’s a project at work, a hobby at home, or even a casual conversation, there is always this nagging feeling that it could have been done better. But striving for perfection, as I’ve learned over the years, can be mentally draining.
Intelligent people tend to set high standards for themselves, and anything less than perfect can feel like a failure. This constant pressure to excel can lead to anxiety, stress, and even burnout.
The expectation to always be the best, to always be “on,” is exhausting. And while it can lead to high achievement, it’s important to remember that it’s okay to be “good enough” sometimes. After all, we’re human, and humans are beautifully imperfect.
8) Overthinking
You might think that a fast, analytical mind is always a good thing. But for many intelligent people, it’s like a carousel that just won’t stop spinning.
The same intelligence that allows them to solve complex problems and grasp new concepts quickly also has a dark side. It often leads to overthinking – the incessant analyzing, dissecting, and replaying of situations in their minds.
Overthinking can make it hard to sleep, hard to make decisions, and hard to let go of mistakes. While it might seem like they’re just being thorough or cautious, the reality is that this unending mental churn can be incredibly exhausting.
If you see an intelligent person staring off into space or seeming preoccupied, they might just be battling their own mind’s tendency to turn molehills into mountains.
9) Lack of understanding
There’s a unique kind of exhaustion that comes from constantly feeling misunderstood. For intelligent people, this is often a familiar feeling.
Their fast-paced thoughts, abstract thinking, and deep emotional intensity can often make it hard for others to relate to them. This can lead to feelings of isolation and frustration.
Furthermore, intelligent people often have a thirst for knowledge and understanding – not just about the world, but about the people in it. However, they can become drained when the effort to understand isn’t reciprocated, or when their attempts to connect on a deeper level are met with surface-level responses.
If an intelligent person seems reserved or distant, they might just be tired of trying to bridge that gap of understanding.
10) Living up to expectations
The pressure of constantly living up to high expectations can be incredibly exhausting for intelligent people. They often face societal, professional, and personal pressure to succeed, solve problems, and make the right decisions.
These expectations can be a heavy burden to bear, adding a layer of stress and anxiety to their everyday lives. This constant pressure can drain their mental energy, leaving them feeling stressed and fatigued.
Remember that even the brightest minds need a break from the pressures of expectation. It’s okay to step back, take a breather, and just be human.
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