Even though we live among billions of other people, most of us like to think of ourselves as unique individuals—and in many ways, we are. However, when it comes to certain habits and quirks, the human experience is surprisingly universal, and here we uncover some common behaviors that you might think are private, but are actually shared by many.
Daydreaming
According to Nola.com, the average person daydreams for around 46.9% of their waking life—during almost all daily activities except having sex! Slipping into a fantasy world or imagining what will happen in the future is perfectly harmless and normal, as long as you can snap back to reality when necessary. It’s all about maintaining a healthy balance.
Singing in the Shower
For many of us, the shower stall feels like an isolated, safe space that may even be magically soundproof! With the enhanced acoustics and the privacy guaranteed by a locked door, we often feel comfortable and talented enough to pass the time with a song. This harmless habit can be beneficial—boosting mental health, creativity, and happiness.
Procrastinating on Chores
Even basic, simple chores can get boring after a while and seem like a mountainous task. If you put off folding laundry, cleaning the bathroom, or tackling the dishes, you’re not alone. It’s often easy to ignore it, avoid the area, or get distracted by more appealing activities, like watching TV. So long as you’re not living in filth, it’s not a big deal.
Pretending to be Busy
Have you ever been stuck in an awkward conversation or needed a polite way to end a phone call? Many of us fabricate imminent commitments to escape overly long or boring conversations or avoid certain interactions. It might seem cruel, but it’s a form of self-care that is necessary—so long as you’re sufficiently convincing so as not to hurt anyone’s feelings.
Googling Symptoms
How many of us have told loved ones not to trust “Dr. Google” yet spend hours searching for our own symptoms in an attempt to self-diagnose or alleviate worry? Whether it’s a cough, a strange rash, a missed period, or a nagging pain, search engines are medical encyclopedias for many of us. While the internet may be full of useful information, it’s always best to see a professional, too.
Talking to Ourselves
While we might not always vocalize them, WebMD states that 96% of adults have an internal dialogue, with 25% speaking such thoughts out loud. From giving ourselves a “you can do it” pep talk, calming our own fears, narrating a to-do list, or formulating ideas, it’s a surprisingly common behavior. So long as you don’t hear voices that aren’t there, it’s perfectly normal.
Eating Past Fullness
Unless you have superhuman restraint, you’ve likely indulged in delicious-tasting food when your stomach was actually already full. Sometimes, it’s a sweet dessert that beckons us, a chip bowl at a party, or even the simple urge to finish everything on our plate. Luckily, occasional overindulgence isn’t harmful; just don’t make it a daily habit.
Snooping on Social Media
While it might seem intrusive, checking out someone’s social media profile is an almost ubiquitous human behavior. Being curious about a former classmate, ex-partner, long-lost relative, or old neighbor is natural and can even help us reconnect with valuable people from our past. Take a quick peek, but don’t become obsessed or make unhealthy comparisons.
Re-Reading Texts
Whether it’s a work email, a text to a friend, or a message to a romantic interest, important messages almost always get re-read before the irreversible act of pressing send. Sometimes, we’re just checking the grammar and spelling, but we’re also checking for unintended insults or potential misunderstandings and ensuring that our tone and sentiment are being expressed accurately.
Pretending We Understand Something
Sometimes, technical jargon, complex concepts, or unfamiliar references fly over our heads. Admitting confusion may be the most honest thing to do, but that might result in a lengthy explanation (which still might not illuminate us) or, worse, mockery. Many of us nod and smile instead, feigning understanding rather than opening a conversational can of worms.
Impulse Buying Online
Have you ever been bored and started shopping for things you don’t need on your phone? According to Gitnux, you’re not alone—approximately 84% of Americans have indulged in impulse buying at least once, accounting for 40% of all e-commerce. Although women are slightly more inclined to do so, it’s a very common behavior for both sexes.
Peeking at Birthday Presents
It may be childish, but sometimes wrapped gifts or sealed gift bags are just too tempting to leave until the big day. While it may ruin the surprise later on, it can be a useful tactic to avoid disappointment or prepare an appropriate response. Whether you’ve shaken a box or fondled a parcel, it’s a common human foible—just don’t let your kids catch you doing it!
Watching Trashy TV
We all have our guilty pleasures, and that applies to television shows, too. Sometimes, we don’t want to watch a penetrating documentary; we just want to turn off our brains and be entertained by silly, overdramatic, or nonsensical programming. We might scoff at the premise, laughable characters, or real-life dramas, but there’s no denying that it’s good for the soul now and then.
Eating Cold Pizza for Breakfast
There’s something undeniably satisfying about leftover pizza, so why do we feel so guilty eating it straight out of the box the next morning? It’s certainly not the healthiest breakfast option, but it’s a quick, easy, and non-wasteful start to the day. As far as nutrition goes, it’s not the best, but it won’t do any harm so long as you don’t make it a regular habit.
Eavesdropping
Although most of us aren’t listening in to every conversation around us, certain words or phrases can spark interest, and it’s natural to tune in for an entertaining story or juicy piece of gossip. Humans are naturally curious and social, so eavesdropping is common. Don’t be obvious or go out of your way to listen in, but don’t feel bad for overhearing.
Feigning Illness
Psychology Today claims that one in every three people (31.2% of adults) has faked illness to achieve a goal, including falsifying physical or mental symptoms or both. You shouldn’t make a habit of it, but taking a day off to rest or have fun isn’t the crime of the century. It isn’t the most honest approach, but it can be necessary to protect both your job and your happiness.
“Cheap” Pleasures
Human society can be a tad judgmental at times and leave us feeling like we’ve failed if we eat a delicious (but non-nutritious) treat, spend all day asleep, or read a trashy romance novel instead of some thought-provoking literature. Life can be expensive, complex, and difficult, so never feel guilty about taking pleasure in simple indulgences, at least in moderation.
