Word-Of-the-Week #2007: Intelligent
November 6, 2025 by Susan Clarke
Intelligent – having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree.
Do you largely dislike small talk? And prefer having close friends that you create meaningful relationships with?
This week features the first part from Zayda Slabbekoorn at YourTango.com, “11 Signs You Have A Complex Mind That Thinks Completely Differently Than Normal People.
Are you more intelligent than you give yourself credit for?”
“Intelligent people often seek mental stimulation, diving deeper into abstract topics, exploring novel realms, and leaning into the innovation of new ideas. According to a study from Neuropsychologia, intelligence is related to flexibility — the ability to connect unrelated information and quickly dive into complex topics. Another from Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience suggests that, on a fundamental level, an intelligent person’s brain even responds deeply to sensory stimuli on a deeper level.
There are many signs you have a complex mind that thinks completely differently than normal people, even if your habits and behaviors are subtle and unsuspecting amid the chaos of everyday life. Even the more obvious ones, like being a critical thinker, are beneficial to your success, productivity, and intelligence — so don’t take this complexity for granted, even if it feels like a burden at times.
Here are the first 3 signs you have a complex mind that thinks completely differently than normal people
- You crave meaningful connections
While intelligent people do often have a higher level of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and basic social understanding in conversation, according to a study from Intelligence, they largely dislike small talk. In some cases, it’s necessary to build a foundation for the deep, meaningful connection they’re yearning for, but in others, it feels mindless, superficial, and draining.
Especially for introverted deep thinkers who appreciate their introspection and often only indulge in social interaction with people they love, appreciate, and trust deeply, these interactions can be quickly draining. So, if you yearn for close friends and often find yourself avoiding small talk when it’s possible, it’s not because you’re struggling with social skills, but maybe because you’re a deep thinker inside.
- You have a unique thought process
While the average person, or one of lesser intelligence, often thinks in “black and white” terms — following a linear progression from start to end — a deep thinker’s mind is a constant myriad of a million things. They don’t necessarily think in a straight line, but instead blend personal insight, emotion, logic, observations, and intuition into all of their conflict- and problem-resolution strategies.
While it may take some discipline to contain and control in rigid institutions like the workplace, this kind of innovative, deep thinking is often in short supply — and can be incredibly valuable for the right person. So, even if it feels like a gift and a curse sometimes to be a deep thinker — diving deeply into problems, issues, and other people, even when it feels like nobody else cares — it’s a superpower when used with diligence.
- You analyze yourself
Self-reflection and introspection are all signs that you have a complex mind that thinks differently than normal people. While it may take decades of practice for the average person to recognize their patterns and reflect on their mistakes, the preference for solitude and emotional intelligence of a deep thinker allows for it, often in the present moment.
Especially when self-reflection in daily life revolves around feelings of frustration, failure, or surprise, which are often uncomfortable and repressed by the average person, they can be even more powerful for deep thinkers to “level up” in environments like the workplace.
This week’s focus is on being intelligent. Do you want to only indulge in social interaction with people you love, appreciate, and trust deeply? Are you a deep thinker diving into issues, problems, or other people? How often do you analyze yourself?
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