If you’ve ever felt a little out-of-step with what everyone else is obsessing over, you’re not alone—and honestly, you might just be onto something. High IQ folks have a knack for dodging the mental junk food most people can’t get enough of.
Think of this as the ultimate permission slip to skip what drains your energy or just makes you roll your eyes so hard you see your own brain. This isn’t about being smug; it’s about celebrating the kind of growth that comes from choosing what actually feeds your soul.
Ready to nod furiously and maybe feel a little seen? Here are 16 brilliant things smart people have stopped watching, following, and consuming—backed by research and spiced up with a bit of real-life sass.
1. Scripted Reality TV
Ever watched a group of strangers argue over who left the milk out and thought, “Holy cheese, why am I here?” High IQ people have been there and quickly noped out. Instead of getting sucked into the latest “unscripted” drama, they’d rather save their brain cells for a good book—or even alphabetizing their spice rack.
It’s not about pretending reality TV doesn’t have its mindless charm. Sometimes you need a break, but there’s a fine line between unwinding and unintentional brain drain. Smart folks spot that line, wave at it, and head for greener pastures.
The real kicker? Once you step away, you realize you don’t miss those over-the-top confessionals or awkward dating show roses. Suddenly, you gain back hours of your life and a little slice of peace you didn’t know was missing.
2. Online Drama and Gossip
Who knew the latest celebrity feud could make you feel so tired? High IQ minds have decided they don’t need another helping of digital drama with their morning coffee. Gossip threads and comment wars? Hard pass.
It’s not that smart people don’t love a spicy story now and then—it’s just, after awhile, it all feels like background noise at a party you never wanted to attend. Chasing updates about strangers gets old when your own life is plenty interesting.
Giving up the daily scrollathon turns out to be a radical act of self-care. Suddenly, you notice real conversations are way juicier, and your inner peace doesn’t hinge on who unfollowed whom this week. Sweet relief.
3. Propaganda and Fake News
Nothing says “I respect my brain” like fact-checking before clicking share. High IQ folks have developed a sixth sense for sniffing out propaganda and clickbait. It’s like their minds come with built-in spam filters.
Instead of taking every headline at face value, they know that critical thinking is a full-time sport. They’re the friends who’ll gently ask, “Did you check the source?” and somehow, you’re never annoyed—they just want you to win at life, too.
Sure, it’s tempting to believe the wildest stories, but wisdom means asking harder questions. That’s how you keep your head clear when everything else is noise. Your brain (and sanity) will thank you later.
4. Mainstream Trends
Let’s be honest: there’s nothing like watching the world go wild for the latest “must-have” trend and feeling… absolutely nothing. High IQ people have mastered the art of skipping what everyone else is hyped about.
It’s not about being contrary for the sake of it. It’s about making choices that fit your actual life, not just your social feeds. There’s a quiet confidence in knowing you don’t need to chase trends to feel valid.
Embracing your own weirdness becomes a kind of superpower. When you stop playing catch-up with the crowd, you start setting your own pace—and find out you’re actually happier for it.
5. Traditional Social Norms
Ever feel like you’re playing a role in someone else’s play? High IQ folks tend to question those unwritten rules: the kind that say you must hit certain milestones by a certain age.
Whether it’s marriage, promotions, or buying that house with the white picket fence, they realize life’s not a checklist. Rejecting these scripts doesn’t mean rebellion—it means making room for genuine fulfillment.
There’s magic in living on your own timeline. You stop explaining yourself and start enjoying the freedom that comes from finally trusting your gut, even when it puzzles everyone else at the table.
6. Herd Mentalities
“Everyone’s doing it” is just not a convincing argument anymore. High IQ folks prefer blazing their own trails—even if everyone else is stampeding in the opposite direction.
Sometimes, this means standing alone for a bit. It’s not always easy, but the satisfaction of independent thought makes up for any side-eye you might get from the crowd.
There’s something liberating about thinking for yourself. You stop worrying about consensus and start chasing what actually matters to you, even if it’s just a different route through the park.
7. Goals Without Purpose
Remember when racking up gold stars felt like winning at life? High IQ people have traded empty achievements for goals that actually mean something. There’s a difference between collecting trophies and doing things that light you up.
Sure, validation feels nice. But after enough time chasing checklists, you realize that purpose beats applause every time. True ambition isn’t just about adding lines to your resume—it’s about investing your energy where your heart actually is.
Once you swap out hollow wins for genuine progress, life stops feeling like one big competition. You start savoring your own definition of success, and honestly, that’s the best prize of all.
8. Junk Food
That late-night fast-food craving? Been there, dodged that. High IQ folks don’t just eat with their stomachs—they eat with intention.
After awhile, you start realizing how much food actually affects your mind, not just your waistline. Trading chips for carrots isn’t about suffering; it’s about not wanting your brain to feel like it’s wading through molasses.
The best part? This isn’t about perfection. It’s about small, smart swaps that keep you feeling sharp and satisfied. Turns out, peace of mind really can start in the kitchen.
9. Mindless Entertainment
Admit it: you’ve rewatched the same sitcom episode seven times in a row, and still can’t remember what happened. High IQ people have learned that brain fog isn’t a badge of honor.
They start seeking things that genuinely engage them, even if it’s just switching from endless reruns to a new hobby or puzzle. Entertainment doesn’t have to mean zoning out—it can mean actually being present.
And the wildest discovery? When you swap passive for purposeful, your downtime feels less like wasted time and more like an investment in your own happiness.
10. Consumerist Culture
Ever noticed how buying “stuff” never fills the weird little gaps in your soul? High IQ folks see through the marketing wizardry and resist the urge to accumulate for the sake of it.
They’d rather invest in experiences than stack up receipts and dust magnets. It’s about choosing memories over merchandise, and honestly, the photos last longer than the impulse buys anyway.
Breaking free from consumerist culture means more mental (and literal) space. Suddenly, you find yourself owning your choices—and a lot less clutter, too.
11. Excessive Social Media
You know that dizzy, hollow feeling after scrolling for an hour? High IQ people have felt it—and decided they’re so over it. Social media can be fun, but letting it run your life is a different story.
Instead of constantly refreshing for likes, they start living for the moments that don’t need validation. There’s real joy in being present, even if it means missing some updates.
Stepping away from the screen brings back that sense of control—and you start to remember what your own thoughts sound like, without the world shouting over them.
12. Toxic Positivity
“Good vibes only” is cute until you’re actually going through something. High IQ folks see the value in feeling all their feelings—yes, even the tough, messy ones.
They know that pretending everything’s fine isn’t the same as being resilient. Real growth comes from honesty, not forced smiles or platitudes.
Choosing authenticity over toxic positivity makes space for actual connection. Suddenly, it’s okay to not be okay—and that’s a relief worth celebrating.
13. Empty Relationships
Ever been at a party and felt lonelier than if you’d stayed home? High IQ people have learned that not every connection deserves a front-row seat in their life.
They start valuing depth over quantity, trading surface-level chats for conversations that actually matter. It’s not about being a hermit—it’s about seeking out relationships that feed your soul, not drain it.
Once you let go of empty bonds, you realize how freeing it is to be surrounded by people who actually get you. Suddenly, your energy is reserved for the ones who deserve it.
14. Fear-Based Content
Breaking news: the world is not ending every day. High IQ folks have learned to recognize when content is feeding on fear rather than facts.
They step back, assess what’s real, and decide what deserves their attention. It’s not about ignoring problems—it’s about refusing to let anxiety run the show.
The freedom that comes from choosing calm over chaos? Priceless. Your mind will thank you for turning down the noise.
15. One-Size-Fits-All Advice
“Just do these five things, and your life will be perfect!” High IQ people have heard it all before, and they’re not buying it—literally or figuratively.
They know there’s no universal fix for life’s messiness. What works for one person might flop for another, and that’s perfectly okay.
Embracing your own path means questioning advice that feels generic. There’s wisdom in making your own rules, even if it means rewriting them a few times along the way.
16. Perfeccionismo
Perfection is the enemy of progress—a lesson high IQ folks have learned, sometimes the hard way. Chasing flawless results only leads to burnout and a sneaky kind of self-doubt.
Letting go of perfectionism isn’t about settling; it’s about embracing the beautiful mess of real life. Creativity blooms where mistakes are allowed to grow.
There’s joy in doing things just for fun, not for applause. Turns out, an imperfect life is a lot more interesting—and a lot more authentic, too.