If you’re a relatively intelligent person, two things are likely true: you socialize less than your peers, and you have anxiety about whether or not that’s normal and sane and acceptable. As most of us already know, intelligent people tend to be more anxious than others and also are more likely to have social anxiety, as they are more perceptive than the average person. However, a study published in the British Journal of Psychology has demonstrated that this often goes even a step further: highly intelligent people actually prefer their own company, and there’s a pretty interesting reason why.
First, what we know: the study explained that evolutionary psychologists have discovered a link between frequent social interaction and reduced life satisfaction in people who are generally more intelligent. They surveyed adults between the ages of 18 and 28, and found that people who lived in more densely populated areas reported lower levels of happiness, and the same was true when people had more frequent socialization with friends.
The study proposes the idea that “savannah theory” is at the root of modern happiness — or that the things that inherently make us happy are as true now as they were at the dawn of civilization. The idea is that smarter individuals are better able to adapt to the challenges of modern living, and are more willing to “leave the group” to forge ahead with their own, more fulfilling lives. Basically: intelligent people prefer to socialize less because they do not need that feeling of tribal belonging to find meaning in their lives. In fact, they’re the ones who, when confronted with the choice between “belonging” and forging their own path, are more likely to choose to go their own way.
So according to this theory, our hunter-gatherer brains were perfectly adapted to life as it was back then, where the population would have been smaller, and we would have existed in groups of around 150 people each. Social interaction would have been crucial to survive. It is that ability to adapt that marks an intelligent person. In the past, a superior human would have been able to follow their instincts best — today, a superior human is best able to forge their own future as opposed to just adhere to the group.
Backing this up is the fact that self-reported happiness is often greater in smaller towns than in bigger cities, which has been called in the past the “urban-rural happiness gradient.” This could be due to many factors, but it’s likely most due to the fact that people thrive in smaller circles, and more intimate, genuine connections. In a small town, there’s a sense of community, and a sense of belonging. You walk out to the deli in the morning and greet the same people, as opposed to feeling lost among the shuffle in a bigger city. Likewise, in a smaller town, the focus is on who you are and how you connect with others, as opposed to what you achieve or who you appear to be. Intelligent people largely bypass this in favor of their own pursuits, but either way the point remains: smart people (and happy people!) thrive in a few, close, genuine relationships.
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Nothing proves we can accomplish anything we put our minds to more than manifestation. Whether you use tactics like the pillow method or wait for a full moon to visualize your future reality, there are so many ways to use the spiritual practice to achieve your dream life. But manifestation isn’t the only way people are accomplishing their aspirations.
Author and former Vogue editor Maureen Lippe manifested a new chapter in her life through reinvention, and now, she’s ready to tell her story. Lippe’s latest book, Radical Reinvention: Reimagine, Reset, Reinvent in a Disruptive World is a personal recount of Lippe’s own journey to self-discovery after the loss of her husband and the re-imagination of her company in the wake of his passing. As a result, Lippe created an 8-step reinvention toolkit to help discover new facets, talents, and strengths about herself she never knew she had.
As a firm believer in the power of manifestation, the author relied on the practice heavily when she first embarked on her reinvention journey. By using manifestation along with meditation, Lippe was able to feel safe and optimistic as she navigated through her self-realization. “It [Manifestation] gave me new internal power and I became unapologetic in embarking on a new life of purpose and service,” she tells Bustle. Just because she’s in a great place now doesn’t mean she hasn’t abandoned the practice, though. “I have manifested daily that I will never let myself fall deep again,” says Lippe.
Because manifestation had so much influence over her healing process, it only makes sense that the spiritual practice and Lippe’s 8-step toolkit share similarities. For starters, they both inspire people to be specific about what it is they want in life. “All of us already have the tools within us to make a radical reinvention,” Lippe says. What we choose to do with those tools is a different story.
Having the courage to change your circumstances is half the battle — but so is recognizing when it’s time for a change. When you’re in a certain era of your life, it can be difficult to step outside yourself and reevaluate. But according to Lippe, there are plenty of signs that indicate you’re ready to reinvent your life. “When you feel alone and know nobody is listening or sees you and life just feels heavy and unbearable, that’s when you know you’re in trouble,” Lippe reveals. “It can also be a series of setbacks leading to a lot of confusion, forced action, and meaningless days and relationships that have railroaded your life.”
The expert also explains that feeling stagnant in your work or relationships may also be a sign you need to switch up your situation, or if “the person you see in your head isn’t always the one looking back at you in the mirror.” If you find yourself experiencing any of these indicators, Lippe suggests unlocking your “full potential” through change. Though it sounds scary, the author assures that a change can be as small as getting a haircut or planning out your next career move. Whatever your next change looks like, just make sure you’re not settling for less than you desire.
Radical Reinvention: Reimagine, Reset, Reinvent in a Disruptive World
Here’s what you need to know about how to reinvent your life through manifestation, according to an …
If you’re aware it’s time for a change but are too scared to take the next step, Lippe suggests converting those fears into courage in a way that works best for you, whether that be through therapy or another avenue. “You must allow yourself to be vulnerable and have the personal confidence to know you will heal and find the personal power to live the great and rewarding life you deserve,” says Lippe. “It takes brave work and it’s not easy and it can get messy.”
