When I think of the term “eccentric,” I often envision a quirky character — perhaps an elderly woman with a multitude of cats, crafting unique items from odd materials she collects. Or maybe a wealthy individual who has a fascination with antique dental tools while dancing with their pet in a bright tutu.
Traditionally, I associated eccentricity with unusual or peculiar personality traits. However, after learning about the research of Dr. Samuel Harper, who focuses on eccentric behavior, my perspective has shifted. On his website, Embracing Eccentrics, he outlines 25 common characteristics shared by eccentric individuals, ranked by significance. Here are the top ten traits:
- Persistent nonconformity
- Highly creative
- Driven by an intense curiosity and exploratory behavior
- A lasting sense of being different from others
- Idealistic, aiming to improve the world and increase happiness for others
- Passionately devoted to several long-standing interests
- Above-average intelligence, often scoring in the top fifteen percent
- Opinionated and assertive, believing that their views are correct
- Noncompetitive in nature
- Rarely seeks validation from societal norms
Well, it’s striking. With nine out of these ten traits, I find myself identifying as eccentric. But does that mean I’m on the verge of becoming a cat-loving, hair-weaving hermit? Not really. Eccentric individuals come in many forms. While some pursue unconventional interests, many simply perceive “normal” as a relative notion that holds little significance.
Reflecting on my own life, I see numerous ways eccentricity manifests itself. I have consistently made choices that diverge from mainstream expectations without concern for societal judgment. For example, we opted not to enroll our oldest child in kindergarten over a decade ago and have been homeschooling ever since. Our family even spent a year traveling the country as nomads. In hindsight, these choices may seem unconventional, but they never felt strange to me, as I don’t place much weight on what is considered “normal.”
I can confidently say I tick off numbers one and ten on that list. Creative? Absolutely. Curious? Without a doubt — I can’t fathom how anyone gets bored. Idealistic? You bet. Opinionated? Sure, I express my views, especially in my writing.
The only area where I’m uncertain is the “passionately devoted to several long-lasting interests” trait — unless coffee and chocolate count! However, number eleven in Dr. Harper’s list mentions “unusual eating habits and living arrangements.” I certainly fit that description, as I have no specific eating schedule and have moved more than a dozen times over the last 18 years (not counting our nomadic adventure).
Based on this list, I’d say “eccentric” suits me perfectly. The liberating aspect of embracing this label is that it allows you to own your uniqueness! Picture those vibrant older women with their colorful hats and mismatched attire. They truly don’t care what others think. They live authentically and unapologetically, doing things their own way.
Most eccentric folks embody this mindset naturally, but now we have a straightforward term to describe our individuality. Rather than needing to justify our divergence from societal norms or our choices, we can simply say, “I’m eccentric,” and leave it at that. Now that’s what I call living life to the fullest!
Eccentricity isn’t merely for quirky loners or flamboyant seniors. If you relate to the traits above, embrace your unique self! Welcome to the club — let’s celebrate our individuality and continue to forge our own paths.
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In summary, embracing eccentricity can empower you to live authentically and unapologetically. If you identify with the traits listed, rejoice in your unique perspective and enjoy the journey of being your true self.