Signs You’re An Outcast

1. Your social calendar is VERY quiet

Image source/ RedditSometimes having nothing in the social diary is a blessing, time to relax at home. But, when the days and weeks stretch by and there's not so much as a coffee date planned - it can feel a bit depressing. You may feel as though you never have any social outings planned at all.

2. You feel more attached to the animals in your life

Image source/ RedditAnimals just get us, in a way that humans can't. Animals don't judge, they don't care if we are fashionable, or popular, or super clever. They will be our best friends regardless. So as a social outsider it is often easier to form bonds and attachments to our pets instead of people.

3. You don't abide by social norms

Image source/ RedditSocial norms are what guide us every day into following the general social rules and etiquette. People usually want to follow them and do follow them so that people don't think that they are weird! But to you, the social norms don't make sense so you don't follow them!

4. You feel independent!

Image source/ RedditBeing a social outsider can mean that you are extra independent, so it can actually be a great thing. It may mean that you are not reliant upon other people do things, or for your happiness. Because you are used to being alone, this can actually be very freeing!

5. You'll intend to be funny and end up insulting someone

Image source/ RedditWe've all been at the brunt of this one. There's that person you know of where you never quite trust what they're about to say because you know it could be lovely or totally insulting. This might be you, and we're sure you don't mean it - it comes more from trying to say the right things and fitting in and failing.

6. People seem to frequently avoid you

Image source/ RedditDo people put their heads down and headphones in when they come across you in the supermarket? Do people seem to suddenly have a very interesting conversation on their phone when you spot them? Then we have to say it plain and simple - they're avoiding you.

7. You have tried to fit in, but you feel like you can't

Image source/ RedditFitting in when you just really don't is not an easy task. If you are an outcast, then it's extremely hard to try and blend in with those who belong. It's almost like people know you are trying too hard to be like them. Instead, just try embracing your uniqueness!

8. You were very sensitive as a young child

Image source/ RedditOften people who are outcasts are also different as children. One sign is children who are very sensitive. Maybe they are deep thinkers who try and grasp the way of the world from an early age. Or they feel emotions more sharply than other children usually do.

9. You react badly to authority

Image source/ wikfandomAs an outcast, you may be challenging the authority. You can be an outsider in many ways. But going against the norm in society is pretty much seen as rebellious on its own. You may not respond well to positions of authority, or to people trying to control you.

10. You often have a different effect than that which you intended

Image source/ RedditYou'll try and be charming and you may appear creepy. You may try to be kind and people think you're being sarcastic. There's lots of ways your behaviour can be misunderstood. And if you're an outcast you've probably experienced this multiple times. People just don't get you!

11. You don't have many friends

Image source/ TwitterHaving loads of friends isn't necessary. But having one or two very close friends is great for your support. But perhaps you've found that you've always had trouble making friends and you often end up alone. Don't worry - there will be like minded people out there for you.

12. People used to pick on you in school

Image source/ wikifandomChildren who are outcasts tend to struggle in school. Were you the brunt of the jokes? Did people pick on you because they thought you were an easy target? Bullies always gravitate to those they do not understand, and those they see alone because they are more vulnerable. At the end of the day, they're the ones with the problem not you.

13. You had family stress in your childhood

Image source/ PinterestA stressful family situation, childhood trauma, or strained relationships can definitely add to the likelihood of someone being a social outsider. This is because their 'normal' was disrupted from an early age, leaving their perceptions and emotions slightly different to others.

14. You have tried many different identities through your life

Image source/ RedditOften social outcasts will 'try on' a variety of identities to try and find the one that fits them the most. Perhaps you do not (or at some point did not) feel comfortable with your identity and you tried to create one where you finally feel as though you 'fit'.

15. And had an identity crisis when you were a teen

Image source/ RedditThis goes hand in hand with the last point. However the time when this is the hardest is during puberty and teen hood when it feels most important to belong. So, you may have experienced a kind of identity crisis where you tried being or looking like something you are not, or just feeling totally lost in yourself.

16. You've never been friends with the 'popular' kids

Image source/ PinterestAt school it can seem like everything to be popular. But you soon realise that none of that means anything at all in the real world. Popularity basically doesn't exist. But one things for sure, as the outcast, you never hung out with the 'populars' anyway.

17. You feel alone

Image source/ RedditLoneliness is a powerfully sad emotion. But it is more common for those who feel like an outsider to feel alone. Because you don't fit in with everybody else so you feel alone. But, one things for sure there are people suited to everyone in the word!

18. You even dress different to everyone else

Image source/ RedditAs a social outcast you probably think that you don't just feel different to everyone else, you also look different . You probably have a style or a look that is a little bit different to other people and the mainstream fashions as you look the way that fits you the best.

19. You spend most of your time alone

Image source/ RedditOf course alone time is important, but so is socialising with people too. You probably find that as a social outcast, you spend most of your time alone rather than with others. This is because the majority of people are not like-minded to you.

20. You struggle to understand people

Image source/ RedditPeople are baffling. There's no two ways about it. It really can be difficult to understand some people. But generally speaking, the majority of people do understand each other. So if you can't really understand anyone - it's probably because you are a social outcast.

21. You had an unconventional upbringing

Image source/ RedditUnconventional upbringings often lead to unconventional lives. Because they are not consumed by what other people are doing or what they think they should be doing. So, instead they have a sense of freedom to choose a life that suits them - rather than what suits society.

22. And you share views which differ to most people you know

Image source/ RedditPeople weren't all intended to have the same thoughts and beliefs - how dull would the world be if this was the case! So yes, you may find yourself having very different opinions to those around you because you are a social outcast. But there's nothing wrong with healthy disagreement!

23. You lead a life which seems unusual for some

Image source/ RedditOther people may look in at your life and think it is highly unusual. You may live in a way that most people would not like, or would not understand, You may not subscribe to the 'norms' of what a life is like in the modern world and do things your way instead.

24. You often feel as though you are looking in at other people, form the outside

Image source/ RedditIIt's a strange sensation to almost view the world as though you are looking in from the outside. As though you are not really a part of it, just a viewer. If you feel this way, this may be a sign that you are a social outcast. You are not a part of the mainstream flow of life.

25. You don't get invited to things

Image source/ PinterestSome people have a party every week, or so many invites that they actually double book. Can you imagine. This is the kind of popularity and social calendar that as a social outcast you'll probably never experience. But anyway, it sounds totally exhausting doesn't it!

26. You continually feel misunderstood

Image source/ YouTubeFeeling misunderstood can be hard because it can be a very lonely experience. It could be starting from the fact that you are an outcast, meaning that you just don't seem to click with the flow of society. But hey, being an outsider isn't a bad thing!

27. You find it hard to carry on conversations

Image source/ memeguyThere's awkward eye contact...and awkward pauses...what do I say? How can I fill this painful silence with words? If these are the kinds of things going through your head then your difficulty in small talk or conversation could stem from the fact you are more of a social outcast.

28. In the past you have tried to pretend to be someone you are not

Image source/ RedditWe are who we are, and to be happy we have to truly accept ourselves . But it's not always easy to do that. Especially if you feel that other people might not accept you. If you are an outsider, you'll probably previously have tried pretending to be someone else.

29. You find being with people quite exhausting

Image source/ blogspotLets be real. Socialising is exhausting. A few hours in the company of someone else and you may feel like you need your social battery restoring by having some time to yourself - peace and quiet. This could be because you are an outsider, social interaction does not come as naturally to you!

30. You get nervous in social situations

Image source/ RedditIt's totally normal to occasionally feel nervous in some social situations. But only you know if this is EVERY social situation or just a few daunting ones. And, if this is down to anxiety or the fact that you just feel like you really don't fit in with the rest of the people.

31. You Often Get Dodged Or Mocked

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Have you ever noticed people diving into bushes when they see you walking down the street, or maybe taking the long way up to the office if you've just hopped in the elevator? Not only that, but they openly mock you - or you catch them mocking you behind your back. They'll do anything they can to avoid you, or ridicule you.

32. You're Always Late To Things

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We get it - sometimes you just don't want to go, so the next best thing is being as late as possible. As the saying goes, 'Better late than never', but when you're constantly showing up to social events late, or even to work late, it can start to give you a reputation as someone lazy and disrespectful - which quickly becomes 'outcast'.

33. You Make A Lot Of Excuses

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No doubt about why you're late all the time! But if you're always making excuses for things, you best believe that people will actually notice that and start to take on board the amount of times you've wriggled out of things, which means they could lose respect for you and cast you out - especially in a workplace setting.

34. You Don't Really Have Any Social Norms

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You have no idea what's appropriate to say or do in a social or work situation - and you may not even care. You don't really know what's considered 'normal' and you haven't made the effort to do your research, either. It could even result in you withdrawing even more within yourself and then coming across as 'shy' or 'weird'.

35. You Have No Idea How To Make Conversations Flow

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They do say that conversation is an art form - whoever 'they' are - and it's an art form that you absolutely don't get. You don't understand how to make conversation flow in a successful give and take, so you're used to a lot of awkward silence or conversations that feel like they've ended weird and you probably dwell on them for a long time afterward.

36. Meaningful Connections? Never Heard Of Her

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Of course, with the difficulty of getting conversations to flow properly, it probably means you struggle overall to make meaningful connections, too. You might not feel at ease around others - or they might not feel at ease around you - which means close connections and bonding with people is something that you don't know much about.

37. You're Very Vocal About How Much Your Job/Workplace Sucks

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Now most people have a hard time with their job, and it's not a normal day if you don't sigh at least once and say you're sick of it. But if you're always talking at work about how you don't understand the job, the company, the company values or why bother with any of it, people are going to struggle to trust your judgement at work and leave you on the sidelines.

38. You Get The Vibes Your Colleagues Don't Like Working With You, Either

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If there's one person you can depend on for showing you exactly how they feel about you - and that they don't want to be friends with you outside of work - it's a colleague. You can't avoid seeing these people every day - and they can't avoid seeing you - but there's a clear vibe that they don't gel very well with you.

39. Plans That Have Been Cancelled Last Minute Is Heaven To You

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You feel an overwhelming sense of relief crash on you when plans are cancelled last minute, whether you wanted to go to them or not. You would happily always choose staying in by yourself than meeting up with others because you feel like an outsider, so it's even better when you're not the one to blame for cancelling.

40. You Find It Hard Work To Pick Up On Social Cues

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Lots of people find that social cues come naturally to them, in terms of noticing them and interacting based on the vibes of body language, facial expressions etc. But you just don't pick up on social cues - you find it difficult, and it's for this reason that you often misread or misunderstand people, which can lead to awkwardness.

41. You Always Avoid Social Situations If You Can

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If there's a way out, you'll find it. If there's an excuse to be had, you'll make it. If you can comfortably say no to an invite, you definitely will. If there's a way of doing something that sees you interacting with the least amount of people possible, you'll always choose that option - even if it takes longer!

42. Conversations Are A Struggle And Make You Feel Stressed

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You're constantly just thinking about the next thing to say rather than listening to the response, you're not really interested in what they just said and everything about the exchange is really stressful to you. You never leave a conversation feeling fulfilled - you only ever feel stressed about what's just happened.

43. Awkward Silences Happen When You're In A Room

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This doesn't necessarily mean when you're actually talking to someone - it could just be as soon as people realise you're in the room. It's like everyone's laughing and sharing in-jokes before you enter a room, then as soon as you do, silence falls and people clear their throat and look a little bit more uninterested.

44. You Always Seem To Regret At Least One Thing You've Said, In Every Conversation

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You never, ever leave a conversation with zero regrets. There's always at least one thing you've said that you regret, that you dwell on for the next ten years, or beat yourself up about for the fact you said it. Even if you haven't said anything wrong, you overthink it, replay the conversation and decide on something to regret instead.

45. You Had A Different Upbringing To Everyone Around You

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When you were younger, you felt like all your friends and their families had a home set up of 'parents still together, only child or siblings that get along, family has enough money, nice house and car' etc. For you, it was a case of things like siblings you hated, parents had a clear favorite, parents divorced or split or just strained relationships all round.

46. You Felt Different To Everyone Else In Your Classes At School

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Maybe you brought these home problems to school, too. Maybe you felt like no one else in the class was like you, or that you were either the youngest or the oldest in the class's age group. You felt like there was nobody who really understood you, not even the teacher. You might have even had behavioral issues because of it.

47. Did You Ever Root For The Bad Guy?

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Did you watch the latest, biggest movies and find yourself empathising for the misunderstood bad guy, or anti-hero, while everyone else hated their character and was too busy cheering everyone on? Do you tend to relate to, and empathise with, the characters in media who are a little different, or who make mistakes?

48. You Struggle To Find Meaning In Everyday Things

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Most of us do go through those 'what's the point' days, but this is more than just the odd bad day for you. You struggle to know what the meaning is in everyday things, or even the big things like your job or social circle. While everyone else seems to have found their own meaning, you may feel left out in not knowing yours.

49. You're Stubborn About Personal Growth

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A lot of meaning can also be found through learning and personal growth, but that's something you've struggled with, too. You seem to be very set in your ways, which can make it difficult to grow, move on from situations or make people feel comfortable around you if you're being stubborn. So you may just end up being an observer of what everyone else is learning and doing.

50. You're Always On The Sidelines

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No matter whether it was the sports team at school, your work meetings, or out with a group of mates, you just feel like something is off - like you're on the outside looking in. You don't know why, and it might still feel like this even if people make the effort to help you join in or engage you in conversation.