[rdgrad15]

Does anyone else have the tendency to notice the flaws in things a lot? I tend to do this. Not so much in other people. Like, I don't actively look for problems in others unless they show them through their own actions. I usually mean in just general every day activities. I may see the good in things a lot, but at the same time, may notice how things can easily go wrong. I feel like this happens even when others appear to be unaware of what can go wrong. Does anyone else seem to notice things while other people around you don't? Just wondered. Feel like this viewpoint can manifest from depression, low self-esteem, or just simply have a different viewpoint than others. I usually don't tell anyone unless I worry that it could have very negative consequences, such as someone getting in trouble or getting hurt. Otherwise, I keep my views to myself.

[Thunder Bow]

It means you are smart and look past your first reactions.

[Wild Coyote]

I look closely and notice both the positive and any negative attributes. I think I do this out of habit/survival. I had grown up in a very volatile/traumatic setting. I had to quickly assess all attributes as a part of being as safe as possible.


WC

[Mountaindewed]

I notice people’s teeth. I look to see if they have gaps between their two front teeth. I’m not sure it bothers me. I’ve been like this for years. I actually spent money getting my teeth fixed. Only the bottom was real bad. So not totally noticecable. I don’t know. I just get distracted by people’s teeth.

[Mountaindewed]

Also my mom has put on weight. It just makes me really sad. I don’t want to say anything to her, but I worry about her health. She’s stressed and over 65 too. And has high blood pressure and diabetes.

Appearance wise i dont believe in flaws, only judgement. Life wise i notice if something is a stupid idea, but i dont over analyze things. I look for potential dangers but dont pick everything apart if that makes sense.

[cool09]

Perfectionists think about flaws. Not saying you're a perfectionist. I think and ruminate about what can go wrong with the smallest interactions because I'm not good at talking and have social anxiety.

If you are single and alone a lot I feel like that predisposes me to be more aware. When I am with someone -- sometimes I am shocked at how much I don't notice. Can even not remember how I got someplace. But being along seems to make me much more likely to think about things.

[Rose76]

I think what you are describing is a sign of intelligence.

I do that a lot, myself.

[SunKissed&ScrewedUp]

I can completely relate with you I tend to do it all the time. Idk if for me its more of a worrying or stress factor that i always notice all the bad that could come outta something, or if its just my instincts

Yes—I was punished when I was a kid for not being perfect or not making things perfectly.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by Thunder Bow

It means you are smart and look past your first reactions.

Thanks amd yeah I like to see things for hoe they are and know that things have its downfalls and that nothing is perfect. Also like to keep in mind that plans and other social situations can have its own pitfalls.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by key tones

Yes—I was punished when I was a kid for not being perfect or not making things perfectly.

Wow that is harsh.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

I look closely and notice both the positive and any negative attributes. I think I do this out of habit/survival. I had grown up in a very volatile/traumatic setting. I had to quickly assess all attributes as a part of being as safe as possible.


WC

I totally agree, same with me.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by TheSadGirl

Appearance wise i dont believe in flaws, only judgement. Life wise i notice if something is a stupid idea, but i dont over analyze things. I look for potential dangers but dont pick everything apart if that makes sense.

Oh that makes sense and I agree.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by cool09

Perfectionists think about flaws. Not saying you're a perfectionist. I think and ruminate about what can go wrong with the smallest interactions because I'm not good at talking and have social anxiety.

I am the same way when it comes to social situations. Mainly because negative things can and do happen.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by Emily Fox Seaton

If you are single and alone a lot I feel like that predisposes me to be more aware. When I am with someone -- sometimes I am shocked at how much I don't notice. Can even not remember how I got someplace. But being along seems to make me much more likely to think about things.

Yeah I can see how that can happen.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by Rose76

I think what you are describing is a sign of intelligence.

I do that a lot, myself.

Yeah. I don't think people who don't notice flaws in things are stupid, I just think some people are more prone to not noticing the flaws due to either being too kind, which I used to have that problem, or taking things too fast. Extreme optimism, which I mentioned before in a different thread, could also blind people from a negative situation until it is too late.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by SunKissed&ScrewedUp

I can completely relate with you I tend to do it all the time. Idk if for me its more of a worrying or stress factor that i always notice all the bad that could come outta something, or if its just my instincts

I think it is a natural instinct and the worry and stress comes from a natural instinct to prevent an unpleasant situation. Therefore, noticing the flaws and knowing that things can go wrong and do go wrong, is more common. I am the same way, I always begin to notice when things are going downhill within the first few minutes in a social situation, even if I am watching it happen to someone else.

[Rose76]

I once read about a study that was investigating whether or not people prone to depression are unrealistically pessimistic. What the study found was that, actually, it is the optimists and even normal-mood people who tend to be unrealistic in tending to expect things to go well. The study found that depressive people were most in sync with actual reality.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by Rose76

I once read about a study that was investigating whether or not people prone to depression are unrealistically pessimistic. What the study found was that, actually, it is the optimists and even normal-mood people who tend to be unrealistic in tending to expect things to go well. The study found that depressive people were most in sync with actual reality.

Yeah I heard that too and I can see how it can be true. That is how I am. I like to see things for how they are and notice the flaws in things. There has been numerous occasions where I expected something to not work out and when it did not work out, I wasn’t devastated since I already expected it and knew it could hve a disappointing outcome. Meanwhile, I’ve watched overly optimistic people get devastated upon learning that something was not going to work out in their favor due to unrealistically high hopes and expectations. And I feel like noticing the flaws in things helps you become more aware of what you are dealing with.