This article was co-authored by Klare Heston, LCSW. Klare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR).
There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Quirky people are described as being unusual in a likable and endearing way. To give off a more quirky vibe, you may need to change the way you think, dress, and act. The main thing to keep in mind is to always be yourself and to enjoy things that you genuinely like, even if they're not well understood. If you embrace the things that make you different and start thinking more creatively, you can be quirky!
Steps
Having a Quirky Frame of Mind
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1Think creatively to solve problems or complete tasks. Think of outside-the-box solutions for problems that you encounter. Try to see all aspects of a situation so that you can come up with solutions that no one has thought of before.[1] Don't rest your opinions on old assumptions. Go against common trends and let your mind wander to unexpected places.[2]
- Meditate on ideas before you form an opinion or solution.
- You can keep a dream diary to give you more creative ideas.[3]
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2Develop interests in unique and obscure things. Whether it's a style of art or a brand of tea, quirky people are often engrossed in obscure niches. Look online for things that have a small cult following and do research on them. Engross yourself in hobbies and subjects that many people are unaware of.[4]
- Unique hobbies could include beekeeping, quilting, or doll collecting.
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3Be passionate about a few key causes. Most quirky people will be deeply invested in important causes like environmental justice, civil rights, or women's rights. Some quirky people will find even more obscure issues to educate people on. Find an issue that's important to you and let everyone around you know how passionate you are about it.[5]
- Obscure issues might include saving a rare species of plant in the Amazon or demanding the return of your favorite actor in a sci-fi show.
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4Don't act fake for the sake of being quirky. If you’re always trying to come off quirky at any cost, people may find you to be disingenuous. Most quirky people will act and dress how they want, regardless of what other people think. Do things that you truly like and wear clothes that make you feel comfortable. Don't do things just so that you can appear more quirky.
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5Maintain a positive attitude. Quirky people are often described as happy and energetic. Don’t be negative or judgmental. Try to maintain a positive attitude and always look at the upside of a situation rather than the downside.
- For example, if you miss your train for a vacation you can say something like "Well, at least it's nice outside! We can always catch the next one."
Doing Quirky Things
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1Have conversations about random topics. Don't hold back your thoughts when you're talking to other people, even if your thoughts may seem strange to other people. Try to look at all the aspects of a conversation and run with the first thing that comes into your head, even if it seems random or weird.
- For instance, you can have a conversation about the beauty of peach trees or the possibility that aliens may have invented the pyramids.
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2Don't follow the crowd. Quirky people don’t follow norms and will do things that other people don’t even think of. Don't follow trends or pretend to like clothing, musicians, or movies just because they are new and everyone else likes them. At the same time, you shouldn't hate things just because they are popular. Listen to music and watch movies that you genuinely like![6]
- For instance, if everyone is raving about a new album that you don't like, don't pretend that you like it just to fit in.
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3Act as whimsical and adorable as possible. Even though you might act strange, you shouldn’t come across as offensive or rude. Quirkiness is about being endearingly weird, not creepy or mean. Try to seem innocent and oblivious to the world around you. You can stare off into space, daydream, or act oblivious to social cues.[7]
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4Do the unexpected. Quirky people don't follow the norms set by society. Approach situations and problems in a way that's perceived as "strange" or "weird" to other people. If someone asks you why you did something out of the ordinary, act like it's totally normal.[8]
- For instance, you can skip instead of walking, or you could hum even if there are people around you.
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5Create unique art. Take photos, paint pictures, write poetry, or play a musical instrument. Try out different types of art and determine which ones you like to do most. Once you get used to a certain medium, don’t be afraid to push the boundaries and do things that other people haven't tried.[9]
- Popular instruments among quirky people include the guitar, bass, and ukulele.
Dressing Quirky
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1Wear breezy and quaint clothes. Quirky people are seen as cute and innocent rather than sexy. Avoid low cut dresses or things that show too much skin. Follow niche fashion trends and avoid wearing overly formal dresses or suits.
- You can wear flowy sundresses or longer skirts.
- Things like scarves, cropped pants, and sweaters can also make you look quirky.[10]
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2Wear loud and colorful prints and designs. Stand out when it comes to the things that you wear. Wear clothes that have polka-dots, animal print, or bright floral colors. Find things to wear that aren’t trendy. The goal is to wear clothes that make you look interesting and different.
- Quirky colors include bright green, teal, pink, yellow, and purple. Mix different pieces to suit your personality.
- You can go to a thrift store to find clothes.
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3Wear unusual and artistic accessories. Make sure that your accessories match the quirky feeling of your clothing. Find handbags, jewelry, and shoes that are also loud and unusual.[11]
- Quirky accessories could include a brightly colored handbag, uniquely shaped sunglasses, or jewelry in the shape of cats or rainbows.
- You can also wear an uncommonly worn hat like a fedora or beret.
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4Dress in things that make you happy. Don’t put yourself in a box when it comes to fashion. Choose clothes that you genuinely like, feel comfortable, and make you happy. Let go of being self-conscious when it comes to your clothing.[12]
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5Dye your hair or have an alternative hairstyle. To really stand out, dye your hair an unnatural color like purple or green. You could even add some streaks. This will give you a different look and will tell people that you’re not afraid to push boundaries and be yourself. If dying your hair isn't your thing, you can shave the sides of your head, cut your hair short, or rock bangs.[13]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I become epic?Klare Heston, LCSWKlare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR).
Licensed Social WorkerYou can become epic by being the best you can be at all that truly matters to you. Try not to waste time on those things that don't interest you. Put your energy into ideas, hobbies, or clothes that you hold dearest. Develop your own unique style, and be consistent with that. Don't drop what feels like you to be a part of a group. -
QuestionI'm 13 and I'm a bit of a geek. How would I become quirky?Klare Heston, LCSWKlare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR).
Licensed Social Worker
References
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2017/08/09/6-bad-psychological-traits-that-can-actually-be-great-benefits/#5faa0c365fff
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2011/11/how-to-think-creatively.html
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2017/sep/05/forget-about-work-and-keep-a-dream-diary-how-to-think-creatively
- ↑ https://www.quora.com/Personality-Traits-and-Attributes-What-are-the-defining-characteristics-of-a-quirky-girl
- ↑ https://www.quora.com/Personality-Traits-and-Attributes-What-are-the-defining-characteristics-of-a-quirky-girl
- ↑ https://www.quora.com/Personality-Traits-and-Attributes-What-are-the-defining-characteristics-of-a-quirky-girl
- ↑ https://newrepublic.com/article/96904/zooey-deschanel-new-girl-annoying
- ↑ https://www.quora.com/Personality-Traits-and-Attributes-What-are-the-defining-characteristics-of-a-quirky-girl
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/10622344/Do-weird-people-make-better-artists.html
- ↑ http://themuse.jezebel.com/john-malkovichs-new-fashion-line-is-for-the-quirky-man-1790718920
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/style/wear-quirky-knitwear-grown-up-way/
- ↑ http://40plusstyle.com/how-to-look-colorful-and-quirky-and-have-fun-with-fashion-a-style-interview-with-suzanne-carillo/
- ↑ http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/gallery/celebrities-with-pixie-crops-hairstyle
About This Article
Being quirky is all about being energetic, doing things differently, and not caring what people think about you. If you want to be quirky, find a few unique hobbies and interests, like making modern art, beekeeping, or collecting dolls. Instead of making boring small talk with people, start conversations about random things that pop into your head, which will lead to interesting discussions. Take any opportunity to do something different, like skipping across the road to meet your friend instead of walking. Try to be positive and energetic as often as possible to make people smile around you. To match your style to your personality, wear loud and colorful clothes that make you happy. For more tips from our co-author, including how to choose a quirky hairstyle, read on!