1. The Leftover Test
You ever notice how the way people deal with leftovers says a lot about them? Like, some people are fridge stackers — neat rows of glass containers, labels even. Others just shove it in with aluminum foil or like, half the pot still on the stove “cooling off” for three days. (It’s me, I am the second one.)
It got me thinking. There are these tiny things we do — not big moral decisions, just daily stuff — and they totally out us. Like what kind of grocery list you write (if any). Or whether you always take the same route home even if it’s 3 minutes slower because you’re emotionally attached to that one tree you pass.
2. The Little Contradictions That Make Us Us
And I’m not even mad about it. It’s kind of sweet. It’s like, okay, I don’t floss every day but I do alphabetize my spices and somehow those two facts live in the same body. Balance.
One friend of mine keeps every card she’s ever gotten. Birthday, thank you, even one from the dentist that said “thanks for booking your cleaning.” Another friend throws them out within 24 hours like they’re cursed. That contrast cracks me up. They’re both Libras.
3. The Objects We Get Weirdly Loyal To
Or people who do the “I’ll save this box because it’s a good box” thing. You know who you are. You keep the box. And then the box stays. And maybe, if you’re really ambitious, it holds other boxes. I respect the commitment.
My partner folds clothes like they’re on display at Muji. Meanwhile, my drawer strategy is just: open, shove, close before the chaos escapes. And yet, we get along fine. Mostly.
I think the products people swear by say a lot too. I have a cousin who will argue for hours about the superior texture of a particular paper towel brand. Another one insists on using only mechanical pencils, no pens, because “pens are too permanent for my thoughts.” Poetic.
4. Soap, Sweatshirts, and Sentimental Junk
I’m picky about soap. But not in a luxury way. I just got attached to a certain face wash bar soap after years of my skin being like “pls stop torturing us.” Now I use it even when I travel. It’s probably not fancy, but it works, and I trust it more than I trust some people.
On the flip side, I use a natural body wash bar that my friend gave me and I have no idea what brand it is and I’m terrified of running out. I just call it “the rectangle one.” It smells like pine and something mysterious. Possibly hope?
Sometimes I wonder what aliens would think if they watched how weirdly loyal humans get to things like mugs or sweatshirts or the weirdly aggressive scissors in the junk drawer that no one likes but also no one throws out.
5. Embracing Our Odd Little Preferences
I mean, I’ve had the same backup phone charger for like 6 years. It’s slower than molasses but it’s survived three moves, two water spills, and a minor house fire. At this point it’s family.
Other personality tells:
- Whether you reply to messages with “K” or “okie dokie” or a 3-paragraph essay.
- If you name your plants. (I do. Harold and Petunia are thriving.)
- What corner of the couch you claim and how mad you get if someone sits there first.
There’s no real point to any of this. Just noticing how humans are oddly charming in their tiny habits and preferences. We’re all just weird little bundles of quirks and emotional attachments to objects and opinions no one asked for.
Like me refusing to eat the last bite of a sandwich because it’s “too bready.” What even is that logic? Who knows. But I stand by it.
I think part of growing up is realizing you can decide these things. You don’t have to use the shampoo everyone else uses. You don’t have to like brunch just because it’s trendy. You can decide that Tuesdays are unlucky and avoid making appointments then, and it’s your life, so who cares?
It’s kind of nice, once you stop trying to optimize every single thing and start letting your own preferences be the guide. Even if they’re silly. Especially if they’re silly.
Anyway. That’s what’s been rattling around in my head this week. That, and the fact that I accidentally bought two jars of mustard again because I forgot to check the fridge first. Personality trait? Maybe. Mildly annoying? Also yes.
Until next time — be nice to your weird habits. They probably make you more lovable than you think.
