Know Thyself For Better Relationships and Connections

Knowing yourself is important. Understanding the little quirks and idiosyncrasies helps not beat ourselves up. We're all different.

What do you love about you?

Over the years, I've learned to manage certain traits that make me a challenging person to deal with and change the things that irk me about me. But some things haven't changed no matter what I do.

The more I look into me, the more I like me and the things that make me me.

I do know that certain traits can be frustrating and annoying to others, so here's what you have to know about me...

I hyper-focus on projects and get absorbed into the task at hand. Heaven help the person who interrupts me in these moments of frenzy.

But then lose interest and move onto something. I've got so many half done things, it's not funny. I also work at a frenetic pace on multiple things at once.

I'm so forgetful – I rely on lists and reminders for everything. I'm constantly losing my phone, keys, purse...just about everything.

I'm clumsy. I trip over my own feet, bump into things and always drop things.

My time management is shit even with all my lists (which I forget to look at). I'm often late, even if I'm ready 2 hours before departure. If you want me to do something, send me a calendar invite. Never be afraid to give me a reminder prod.

I don't like afternoon meetings. My brain stops working between 2 and 8pm.

I often feel like the odd one out.

I'm sarcastic, quick with a quip, and can deliver snarky take downs. Not my finest quality.

I can’t focus on anything if I know I have somewhere to be later in the day.

Decision making is a paradox. When I'm hyper focused, it’s easy. When it comes to mundane things, like picking a restaurant, I get overwhelmed. I spend hours researching, reading reviews, and ruminating. Then give up and have eggs on toast.

I leave almost everything to the last moment. I thrive in stressful situations. I do my best work in this space. It's why I love awards. Not so good if you're a super organised person. This freaks you out, but know it'll get done. I'm great in a crisis. If there's a zombie apocalypse, you'll want to be with me. I'll keep you alive.

I love a soap box and can talk non-stop when excited about a topic.

I interrupt others if I feel I can relate to what they are saying. My brain works so fast I have to get it out. I've learned to curb this.

Procrastinate with everything. EVERYTHING. Unless it's reorganising my wardrobe or some other unimportant task.

I like things tidy and organised, but if I have to do it, I'll procrastinate.

I have to do something. I used to find it hard to relax, but have learned to. But I can get up and down multiple times as my brain urges me to straighten a picture, wash the walls, colour code my undies or reorganise my Google drive.

I can turn on the extrovert and be the life of the party, but it gets too much and I disappear. I love socialising, but it takes me days to recover.

I'm shit with numbers. Forget Suduko or adding up. It hurts my brain.

Did I mention I'm forgetful?

I pick, fidget and doodle like a boss.

I zone out often. Not because I'm bored, but because my mind gets distracted or overwhelmed.

I randomly talk about unrelated topics during a conversation.

I can have three different drinks on the go. It's all about options.

Don't give me verbal instructions. I need visual prompts. Chances are I won't look at them until I'm in the car, hoping I'm heading in the right direction.

Details, waffle and too much information bore me. Get to the point. Spare me the hoops.

I don't like being told what to do. If there's a rule I can bend, I will.

I'm impulsive. Be it midnight travel arrangements, walking down dark alleys to 'see what's down there' or making decisions, I'm a ready, fire, aim person.

I can randomly sing lines of songs to almost any conversation. It's a gift.

I often think we should do personality and other tests before working with others. It would help build understanding and empathy. We're all different. If we understand these differences, maybe we wouldn't jump to conclusions about the people in our circles.

* drawing of me by Laura Lewis.