There’s a marked difference between what wears out the average person and what intelligent folks find exhausting.
Psychology suggests that smarter people are often drained by things others may not even notice.
It’s not about physical exhaustion, but mental fatigue that stems from constant overthinking, overanalyzing, and the pursuit of perfection.
In this article, we’re going to explore the eight things in life that only intelligent people find exhausting. But worry not, we’ll also offer some tips on how to manage these energy-draining aspects.
Let’s dive in.
1) Small talk
Intelligent folks often find small talk mind-numbingly tedious.
This isn’t because they’re antisocial or snobbish. Quite the opposite, in fact. It’s just that their minds crave more stimulating and meaningful conversations.
According to psychology, intelligent people thrive on deep discussions that challenge their thinking and allow them to learn new things.
Small talk, on the other hand, is usually centered on mundane topics that don’t provide any intellectual stimulation.
So, when an intelligent person is trapped in a conversation about the weather or last night’s reality TV show, they may feel mentally drained.
It’s not about being superior; it’s about seeking a richer, more engaging exchange of ideas.
2) Repetition
One thing I’ve noticed about highly intelligent individuals – and I can relate to this myself – is the exhaustion that comes with repetition.
Repeating the same task or the same routine over and over again can feel like a mental torture for those with high intellect.
For instance, I remember when I was working in an office job, where my daily tasks were quite repetitive. Within a few weeks, I started feeling mentally drained. The work itself wasn’t physically demanding, but having to repeat the same tasks every day was mentally exhausting.
Psychology explains this by saying that intelligent people crave new experiences and challenges. They thrive on learning, problem-solving and innovation. So when they’re stuck in a loop of monotony, it can be incredibly tiring.
It’s not about being lazy or disliking hard work, but rather about needing variety and stimulation to keep their minds active and engaged.
3) Inefficiency
Few things are as frustrating to an intelligent mind as inefficiency. Whether it’s in the workplace, at home, or in society, inefficiency can be mentally draining for those with high intellect.
Research shows that intelligent people often have the ability to see better, more effective ways of doing things. This is due to their analytical thinking skills and their ability to quickly process and make sense of information.
Therefore, when they’re stuck in an environment where processes are inefficient, or where people keep doing things the ‘long way’ without reason, it can be incredibly exasperating.
This isn’t about being controlling or impatient. It’s about the desire for progress and improvement, which is a common trait among intelligent individuals. It’s a desire that, when blocked, can lead to mental fatigue.
4) Ignorance
Ignorance, particularly when it’s wilful, is another thing that intelligent people find exhausting.
Intelligent individuals are typically curious and open-minded. They value knowledge and understanding, and they’re often driven by a desire to learn and grow.
Thus, when they’re confronted with ignorance – especially when it’s celebrated or used as an excuse for harmful behaviour – it can be deeply frustrating.
It’s not about feeling superior or being judgmental. It’s more about the disappointment that comes from seeing potential for understanding or improvement being disregarded. This can be a mentally draining experience for those with high intellect.
5) Lack of authenticity
Nothing is more exhausting to an intelligent person than being surrounded by inauthenticity.
Intelligent people often have a heightened sense of intuition and can sense when someone is being insincere or fake. This disingenuous behavior can be mentally draining, leading to frustration and disappointment.
It’s not about being judgmental, it’s about valuing honesty and transparency. There’s a certain beauty in authenticity, in being real, that intelligent individuals appreciate.
Witnessing a lack of authenticity can be disheartening, creating a mental fatigue that goes beyond physical tiredness. It’s the exhaustion of seeing the potential for genuine connection being masked by pretense.
6) Overthinking
Overthinking is a common trait among intelligent individuals, and I’ve found myself falling into this trap more times than I can count.
The mind of an intelligent person is always active, analyzing, questioning, and exploring possibilities. This can lead to a tendency to overthink even the simplest of things, turning decisions that should be straightforward into complex conundrums.
For example, choosing a place to eat can become an exhausting mental exercise of weighing pros and cons, researching online reviews, and contemplating potential regrets.
This constant mental activity can be exhausting, leading to a state of mental fatigue that’s hard to shake off. It’s like being on a mental treadmill that never stops, making it difficult to find peace and clarity.
7) Lack of intellectual stimulation
For intelligent people, a lack of intellectual stimulation can be mentally exhausting.
They thrive on learning new things, solving complex problems, and engaging in deep, meaningful conversations. Therefore, when they’re in an environment where these needs aren’t met, it can be incredibly draining.
It’s not about being an intellectual snob. It’s about needing to feed the mind in the same way we need to feed the body. Without mental nourishment, intelligent people can feel unfulfilled and restless, leading to a state of mental fatigue.
8) Negativity
The most exhausting thing for intelligent people, according to psychology, is negativity.
The constant exposure to negative news, pessimistic outlooks, and toxic attitudes can be mentally draining for anyone, but it’s especially so for intelligent individuals. They often have a heightened awareness of the world around them, making them more susceptible to the effects of negativity.
It’s not about being overly sensitive. It’s about seeing the potential for positivity and growth and feeling frustrated when it’s overshadowed by negativity. This can lead to a state of mental exhaustion that goes beyond simple tiredness. It’s a deeper fatigue that comes from carrying the weight of negativity in an already active mind.
