7 things in life extremely bright people find draining, says psychology

If you’re a person with an extremely high intellect, you may often find yourself feeling drained by certain aspects of life.

Psychology suggests that people with high intelligence levels may experience unique challenges that can feel exhausting at times.

You might notice yourself getting frustrated with mundane tasks, feeling bored easily, or struggling to connect with people who don’t share your intellectual wavelength. It’s not about being pretentious or aloof – it’s simply how your brain is wired.

Being highly intelligent is not a personal choice, it’s just how some of us are naturally built.

Everyone experiences these challenges differently, just as everyone’s intellect varies. But understanding what makes you tick can help you navigate these hurdles more effectively.

So, let’s dive into exploring the 7 things in life that extremely bright individuals often find draining, according to psychology.

1) Mundane tasks

For extremely bright individuals, the monotony of everyday tasks can feel incredibly draining.

Think about it: if your mind is used to processing complex equations or pondering philosophical concepts, the simplicity of doing laundry or washing dishes might feel like a waste of your intellectual capacity.

You might find yourself asking, “Why am I spending time on this when I could be solving problems or learning something new?” It’s not that you find these tasks beneath you, it’s just that they don’t stimulate your mind in the way that more challenging activities do.

This can lead to feelings of frustration and dissatisfaction. You might feel as if you’re not using your time wisely or living up to your potential. In some cases, this can even lead to feelings of guilt or self-criticism.

2) Lack of challenge

This is closely connected to my previous point. Imagine breezing through a book or solving a puzzle with ease, only to feel a sense of emptiness instead of accomplishment. This is a feeling that extremely bright individuals often face.

When tasks or projects aren’t challenging enough, they can feel unfulfilling. You might feel as if you’re not being pushed to use your full potential, leading to a lack of motivation or even boredom.

It’s like being a marathon runner stuck running laps in your backyard. Without the thrill of the race or the satisfaction of crossing the finish line, the exercise can start to feel pointless.

Finding ways to constantly challenge yourself and feed your intellectual curiosity can help keep this draining feeling at bay.

3) Social interactions

People with high intelligence often find social interactions draining. It’s not that they don’t enjoy the company of others, but many times, their intellectual interests and thought processes can be quite different from those around them.

This can make it difficult for them to relate to others. They may feel like they have to ‘dumb down’ their conversations or hide their true interests to fit in. This feeling of not being understood or having to suppress their intellectual curiosity can be exhausting.

Research shows that highly intelligent people are more likely to experience social anxiety. This is often because they’re more aware of the nuances of social dynamics, which can make interactions feel more complicated and draining.

Acknowledging this can help in managing social situations better and finding ways to connect with others on a deeper level.

4) Perfectionism

If you’re extremely bright, you might find yourself striving for perfection in everything you do. This pursuit, while admirable, can be incredibly draining.

It’s wonderful to have high standards and to push yourself to achieve your best. However, when this turns into a relentless quest for perfection, it can become a burden rather than a joy.

You might find yourself constantly critiquing your work, second-guessing your decisions, or feeling dissatisfied even when you’ve done an excellent job. This can lead to unnecessary stress and even prevent you from enjoying your successes.

Of course, it’s okay to aim for excellence, but it’s also important to show yourself some grace. You are human and it’s normal to make mistakes. Embracing this truth can help ease the pressure and allow you to enjoy the journey of learning and growing.

5) Overthinking

If you’re a highly intelligent person, chances are you’ve found yourself overthinking situations more often than not.

Let’s say, for example, you’re planning a weekend getaway. While most people might just pack their bags and go, you might find yourself analyzing every single detail.

From the best route to take, to the optimal time to leave to avoid traffic, to contingency plans in case of unexpected events – your mind is constantly working overtime.

This tendency is due to what researcher Ruth Karpinski calls the “hyper brain/hyper body theory“.

Essentially, this means that “being highly intelligent is associated with psychological and physiological ‘overexcitabilities, or OEs. Psychological OEs include a heighted tendency to ruminate and worry, whereas physiological OEs arise from the body’s response to stress.”

This is naturally taxing on the body. It’s like your mind is a machine that never stops whirring, even when it would be beneficial to just switch off for a while.

Recognizing this trait and finding ways to quiet your mind, like through meditation or mindfulness practices, can help manage this energy-draining habit.

6) Illogical thinking

Ever felt exhausted after trying to make sense of something that just doesn’t add up?

For extremely bright people, dealing with illogical thinking can be seriously draining.

They’re naturally inclined to connect the dots and find reason in things, so when they encounter ideas that don’t make sense or contradict each other, it’s like running into a wall. It’s not just frustrating—it’s tiring.

What makes it so exhausting is that they often have to put in extra effort just to make sense of it all.

Instead of simply processing the information, they end up mentally reorganizing it, filling in gaps, or rephrasing things to make them logical.

This kind of mental work can feel like a waste of energy because they’d rather use their brainpower on ideas that actually add up.

7) Ignoring self-care

Lastly, extremely bright individuals are good at many things, but there’s one area where they often fall short – taking care of themselves.

In the pursuit of knowledge and excellence, it’s easy to neglect your own needs. You might skip meals, pull all-nighters, or ignore the signs of stress your body is sending you. But trust me, this isn’t something to be proud of.

Ignoring self-care isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a fast track to burnout. And let’s be clear – burnout is not a sign of dedication or strength, it’s a sign that you’ve pushed yourself too far.

So start prioritizing your health and well-being. No matter how important your work or studies are, they shouldn’t come at the expense of your physical and mental health.