Most of us know someone with the quirky label. Be it a close friend or the quirky office mate. Quirky folks are hard to describe, they’re a little weird but usually liked by many. Their weirdness is celebrated by many as making them unique but typically endearing. Here are some traits that are usually associated with being quirky.
- Odd
- Endearing
- Clutz/Ditzy
- Off-the-wall
- Intelligent
- Creative
- Unique
Many people go about life not being 100 percent themselves, especially in social situations. Some would say there are a few people who know the real them, while everyone else gets a watered-down version. Do you worry about what other people would think if they found out who you were in your natural state?
Perhaps you like some off the mainstream hobbies or prefer to dress way off the beaten path. Whatever the case may be, it’s OK to be your true, quirky, natural self. Being quirky can be a positive trait.
Quirky folks can be highly intelligent, successful, funny, easy-going, and only – uniquely themselves. If you’re wondering how you can become your best quirky self, keep reading!
What’s it Mean to be Quirky?
No one likes to be stereotyped or labeled as “Weird.” While some people don’t care about being labeled as weird, some would say it’s off-putting or attached to a negative connotation. For whatever reason, quirky tends to have a more positive connotation. It usually means someone is a little odd but oddly likable, right?
Being quirky is one of those things that, while quirky folks likely share some commonality, they’re each kind of odd. Having a quirky personality means that your tastes are a little different than others.
You might like to dress a little bolder, you speak your mind freely (but not in ways that negatively affects others), and maybe you’re into some alternative hobbies that aren’t mainstream.
In general, quirky people might get away with having a little less social grace than others. But, for some reason, it’s accepted that the oddball isn’t trying to commit social faux paux intentionally, it just sort of happens.
Whatever your type of weird is, live in all your glory, revel in it, and fall in love with your personality. Soon enough, you’ll probably start noticing that others’ think you’re quirky!
Acknowledge Your Weirdness Before Others Point it Out
Everyone’s a little weird in their way since being weird just means that you’re not quite the same as the person next to you. The world is more interesting because people are unique, so throw caution to the wind and let people know what makes you unique.
For example, if you’re into Star Trek, Star Wars, or other science fiction novels or television series like Firefly, just own it. Science fiction lovers tend to be labeled as geeky or nerdy, and depending on who’s throwing the label out; it can come off as a negative thing to be.
Don’t let anyone else’s opinion define you. Instead, right before you’re about to talk about something that excites you, let everyone know what you think about it. For example, if you’re talking in a group and someone asks you what your favorite show is, be positive and real with them.
You could say, “Alright guys, I’m going to nerd out here a little bit… I have to tell you; I love science fiction! Star Trek is one of my favorite shows, and when I say I’m out partying on a Friday night, I mean, I’m playing World of Warcraft with a group of friends!”
Demonstrate Social Intelligence
In the above situation, rather than cowering and letting other people assume that you’re a person who is afraid of their personality, you allow others’ know that you have social intelligence.
Social intelligence is generally a learned trait. You may have heard other people describe social knowledge as having “tact,” “street smarts,” or “common sense.” Bringing things back to our example above, when you own your personality, shows that you have knowledge and understanding that your tastes are a little different than most.
By displaying social intelligence in a situation that might otherwise have painted you in a negative light, you gave everyone around you a reason to paint you in a positive light.
By acknowledging that your interests aren’t for everyone, you acted bold, brave, and with courage. You were unapologetically yourself in a situation where some people would have hidden who they were. You’re showing that you’re confident, another trait that’s typically not associated with “nerdy,” or “geeky,” folks.
How to Adopt a Quirky Frame of Mind
In the above examples, we talked about people who might already be a bit quirky. Some people are quirky on the inside but not on the outside. We’ll talk more about how to get into a quirky frame of mind now.
Be a Creative Problem Solver
When problems come up, rather than reaching an ideal solution, try thinking outside the box to solve it. If you take the time to consider the entire issue, you might surprise yourself with a resolution better than everyone else’s.
Let your thoughts wander a bit rather than coming too quickly to a boring solution. When you consistently have bold ideas, others will come to know you as the creative problem solver and come to you for off the wall solutions.
Let Your Interests Run Wild
People with quirky personalities tend to have obscure interests that are unique than the typical, mainstream things other people like. Rather than loving Starbucks lattes, they might enjoy a niche coffee from some never-heard-of country or tea that’s sourced directly from a village in China.
Whether you love a particular style of art or classic cult movies, let your imagination run wild. When things catch your eye, research them until you find the handful of ideas, hobbies, or interests that are odd or unique and engross yourself in them, and them into your personality.
Develop Your Passions
Outside of hobbies and interests, quirky folks usually have some social causes that ignite their passions. If you’re trying to maintain a quirky personality, start investing yourself into an object that lights a fire inside you.
Whether it’s women’s rights, feminism, a political point of view, environmental justice, or something even quirkier, invest in becoming knowledgeable about an issue that needs your support. Because you’re passionate and funded, you’ll always have information to help educate others or spark conversation in dull moments.
Part of being an oddball always has something off the wall to say during the conversation. So, the next time there’s a lull, you can throw out some information about saving the wild bats of Ethiopia that are quickly becoming extinct.
Don’t Fake Your Personality
Genuine people with quirks about them don’t act fake for the sake of their reputation. One of the best traits of quirky people is that they’re open, honest, and act very much themselves no matter who’s around.
It will be highly noticeable if you’re trying too hard to be weird and likable. In that case, you might come off as ingenuine, untrustworthy, and some people might find that annoying or off-putting.
You should act, dress, and be who you are naturally, regardless of what anyone thinks about you. So, there’s no reason to try faking characteristics and traits that aren’t you. Do whatever things make you happy because they make you happy, not to impress others, or in hopes that it will make others think a certain way about you.
Maintain Your Attitude
Another characteristic of quirky people is that they are often happy people with high energy. They don’t tend to be negative or to judge others for the sake of being judgmental.
Don’t participate in bringing any rain clouds into the room, especially if other people are doing it. Part of being the quirky one in the bunch is maintaining your positive attitude, your positive energy, and binging that quirky light to any situation.
Your positivity will become a trait that you’re known for, and others will look to you to brighten their day in the way that only you can. For example, if you’re heading out for drinks with friends and find out someone forgot an ID when you all arrive, save the night with a, “Looks like a mini-golf kind of night, anyway!”
How to Do Quirky Things
If you’re still not quite sure about how to do quirky things, here are several more examples. Remember that the most critical aspect of quirkiness is just yourself, whoever you are, wherever you are, be you!
Don’t Be a Follower
Forget the crowd, forge your path. You don’t need anyone to make decisions for you, because you have your way of doing things! Quirky folks don’t follow the status quo or let others think for them.
You don’t need to concern yourself with the latest trends in fashion and buying clothes to fit in since you have your sense of style that makes you feel good in your skin. You don’t have to like the most famous music artists or the latest trendy movies because you have your favorites that suit your interests.
You’ll be much happier when you genuinely love the music your listening to or the movies you’re watching because you chose them based on your interests rather than based on what everyone else likes.
Just because everyone else is posting the latest hip hop song on their Instagram story doesn’t mean you should fall in with the crowd and join the masses. Post your favorite indie/folk jam and let everyone know that your eclectic taste excites you!
Be Fanciful and Whimsical if You Please
If you haven’t noticed yet, quirky people have just enough weirdness to distinguish themselves from others, yet they’re highly likable. There’s something about their slightly-off personality that just puts people at ease and makes them a joy to be around.
One thing to remember is that even though you may act a little odd or out of the box, you should never come off as rude, disrespectful, or offensive. When you’re coming into your quirky personality, let your way of being endearing and gentle rather than mean, abusive, or creepy.
Some quirky people give off an air of being spacey, aloof daydreamers who forget to pick up on social cues, sometimes. But if the social signal truly matters, don’t neglect it.
Don’t Be Predictable
Take chances and do the unexpected! There’s no need to follow the norms set by other people who don’t matter to you. Bring your unique thoughts, opinions, and creativity to all sorts of situations, whenever you can.
Although you might come off as a bit strange to others, the bottom line is that you’re not predictable or dull. You’re energetic and unique! After all, why shouldn’t you sing your favorite song out loud on a train full of people?
Just because everyone else is choosing to keep to themselves and make themselves small and unnoticeable, doesn’t mean you have to as well. If anyone questions you about your choices, act like they’re the one being weird!
Be Creative
A lot of people believe that they aren’t creative or talented because they can’t create a painting that competes with Picasso or Rembrandt. Are they widely accepted as skilled painters, sure. Are you a lousy painter because you can’t paint like them? Not.
Art is like beauty in that it is in the eye of the beholder. Regardless of your level of the school, create things that bring you joy whenever you have the time.
You can create new meals you enjoy, make art, take up photography, learn to play a new instrument. Try playing several types of musical instruments, using different mediums when creating art, or photographing various subjects until you find the thing that most brings you joy.
Be Quirky in Your Dress
Your clothing choices should reflect what feels comfortable on your body, which makes you feel confident in your skin, and what makes your personality come to life. You don’t have to dress a sure way to maintain your quirkiness, but many quirky people seem to march to the beat of their drum when it comes to developing a sense of style.
We’re not here to tell you not to dress in a suit and tie, or a little black dress and stilettos if that’s what makes you feel the best. Although, if you’re generally quirky, you’re probably more comfortable in off-the-wall clothing choices.
Are you feeling like a quaint outfit? Go for it. You are feeling like a style that was so two decades ago? Do you! Some quirky people develop a kind of uniform, choosing staple pieces like a silver vest or gold fedora that gets paired with any outfit for any occasion.
Others dress for the weather and whatever makes them feel easy breezy. Don’t be afraid to be bold in your clothing choices. Put on those loud, colorful prints, that thrift shop wedding dress that 80’s outfit you love, and pair it up with your random accessory finds because you’ll be perfectly quirky in whatever outfit you choose!
Step Outside the Box
And then make a run for it! Don’t ever keep yourself inside the box to please others. If you’re pairing up odd, loud accessories with that fanciful outfit that makes you feel bold and empowered, go all in.
Don’t slink by in your awesome outfit; wear it loud and wear it proud. People pick up on things like confidence, whether it’s covert or someone is shouting it from the rooftops. People also pick up on others’ discomfort and self-consciousness.
Styling Your Hair
Don’t forget to do your hair in a quirky way that pleases you. If you want to stick straight, monotoned hair, do it. If you wish to have loud, vibrant, rainbow-colored hair styled like a 50’s greaser, do that too!
If you’re set on standing out, try experimenting with different colors, lengths, and styles until you find the one that suits your personality and comfort best. You can play with hair accessories like colored pins, bandanas, fake dreads, or feathers.
Let your inner personality out and express yourself; however, you like. What’s the worst someone can say that you have your sense of style? That’s part of being quirky!
Be Silly, Wild, and Playful
If puns are your thing, let the puns roll freely and make people laugh. Use your fun personality to put a smile on others’ faces. You never know when that silly joke you told or face you made will be just what someone else needs to get through the day.
Rather than an annoying handshake, grab someone’s hand and do-si-do upon meeting and introducing yourself. Go in for that slightly-awkward hug instead of the high-five. If it’s not the time or place to dance and be silly, make it.
There’s never a moment where you shouldn’t or can’t be your wild, adventurous self.
- As long as you have good intentions and act safely and responsibly, don’t be afraid to joke around or pull a little prank here or there.
- Be lighthearted in your approach with others, always be that too-positive friend who sees the glass half full.
- If something random comes to mind, and it isn’t rude, offensive, or hurtful, say it out loud and see how it sparks conversation.
Explore Your Natural Gifts
Some people are naturally funny, naturally friendly, or typically odd. Whatever traits come to you usually, let them flow. Don’t cover up or hide who you are.
If you’re good at magic tricks, use them as ice breakers any chance you get. If you’re good at singing, why not randomly serenade your friends when they’re having a rough day? For those of you who have more energy than you know what to do with, join a team sport and give it all you’ve got.
If there’s something unique about your appearance or you have a new but uncommon medical condition, why not share it with others. You could be bringing light and awareness to something that deserves positive attention, and helping others with the same condition feel more confident and secure along the way.
Embrace Your Introversion
Not everyone who is quirky is loud and outgoing. There are tons of quirky folks who prefer peace, quiet, and alone time to be the center of attention and people-pleasing. For example, think of the quiet bookworm who’s into watching period pieces and likes to dress as people did way back in the prairie days.
A quirky person like this is still confident in who she is, quirky, and comfortable dressing in a style that not too many other people would get on board. She may prefer staying in with a book than going out and hanging with a large group. However, to her close friends, she’s the quirky one they can count on for a laugh when she’s around.
Unless you specifically want to become more extroverted, you’re more than welcome to embrace that introversion. Introversion is often overlooked and underappreciated. So, why not show people what makes you so unique and special, if the quiet opportunity arises?
Be Neurotic
Okay, don’t be an utterly neurotic weirdo, that’s probably not a good idea. But, a healthy dose of neuroticism is a trait that tons of quirky people have. It’s generally not considered to be one of the best qualities people exhibit, but there’s also nothing wrong with it.
You see, all the funniest, most unique, or interesting people are a little neurotic, aren’t they? Think about comedians. They tell stories and jokes and puns that make other people laugh hysterically even. But, where on earth do they come up with this stuff?
Some of it comes from personal experience, but part of it comes from just being an innately creative person with a few neurotic tendencies! One fun fact about neurotic people is that this study found that neurotic people live longer!
Question Yourself
You probably don’t want to question yourself to the point of anxiety or doubting yourself, that’s certainly not what we’re suggesting here. However, you should be open to wonder how much you know. A little dose of self-awareness and understanding that maybe whatever you think you do isn’t always right is a high quality to strive to achieve.
Of course, you don’t want to lack conviction or not believe in yourself. Just be open to the idea that you, too, have room to learn and grow. This helps other people build genuine trust and love for you as a person.
Being humble is a highly desirable trait. No one ever said, “Wow, that guy always knows everything,” in a positive tone. On the flip side, you might become known as the quirky, humble guy (or gal) who’s knowledgeable but willing to learn from others!
Deal With Trauma
Just because you’re a little bit odd and quirky doesn’t mean that there’s a 100 percent chance you have a trauma process. However, if you know that you have trauma that you are avoiding, it’s a great idea to consider therapy or other modes of healing.
Having engaging or even painful life experiences typically lend itself well to quirky personality traits. But, if your trauma or pain needs processing or dealt with, it could be harming you. For example, it could be affecting anything from your stress and anxiety levels or how well you sleep to damaging your interpersonal relationships.
If you want to be that fun-loving, quirky person that everyone knows and loves for their light-heartedness, you’re probably going to need some help with the trauma that’s affecting you negatively. There’s no shame in getting help, and you’ll thank yourself later for doing it!
Use Your Sense of Humor
Among all your quirks and personality, kinks are probably some super exciting experiences you have. Don’t be afraid to use what you know and what you have to add to your fun sense of humor. People might not count on you to be the funniest person they know, but they might come to love you for your absurd or slightly off-putting sense of humor.
As long as you’re keeping to your not rude or offensive rule from earlier, you’ll be just fine.
Wrapping Things Up
There’s no one way to develop an overall quirky personality. Most people become quirky over time as they become comfortable merely being who they are. Whether you’re quiet, shy, and introverted or loud, bold and extroverted, just go all in and own precisely the person you are.
Dress how you like to dress, make others lives’ bright, educate people on obscure topics, and be yourself. If you’re a quirky person at heart, in time, your quirks will shine. By keeping it real and being you, people will come to know you like that strange, weirdly likable character that you are!