# I'm special... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 27, 2003, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-special/209793 "2003-10-27T05:07:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tikiman420](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@tikiman420](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tikiman420)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-special/209793/1 "2003-10-27T05:07:48Z")
No, not mentally challenged. Lately, i’m not sure when i first started noticing this, but ive really been sort of both subconsciously and consciously thinking that i’m better than everyone else, that maybe there is something about me that makes me stand out, that makes me extraordinary? I have no idea why this is, and i hate thinking that it might be true and that sending these thoughts into my head is “gods” way of letting me know im special…cause all of that is just corny. i guess what i’m asking is, why am i getting these feelings of superiority? does it have something to do with the fact that i’m 14 and searching for my individual place in the world? any help is appreciated. George ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-special/209793/2 "2003-10-27T07:09:02Z")
Do you think you’re just superior to your elders or does it include your peers also. If it is the former you are a normal teen. If it is the latter you may have a problem. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Not\_In\_Anger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3ab097/32.png) [@Not\_In\_Anger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_In_Anger)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-special/209793/3 "2003-10-27T07:19:37Z")
Everybody feels that way, son. That’s what makes everyone special. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-special/209793/4 "2003-10-27T08:30:12Z")
I think this is probably pretty common in teenagers; I think it has a lot to do with the process of developing an identity fully separate from your parents etc. Certainly I remember thinking that sort of thing and I remember talking to some mates about it and hearing them describe similar feelings too. But (and as long as the thoughts in your head aren’t telling you to kill someone) it is certainly true that you are _unique_ and maybe you are indeed special; sitting and thinking about it won’t get you anywhere - get out there and _prove to the world_ that you are special! ---
**Author:** ![Zardoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a8b319/32.png) [@Zardoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zardoz)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-special/209793/5 "2003-10-27T09:13:40Z")
You must be a [Subgenius](http://www.subgenius.com/pam1/pamphlet_p1.html) , then. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-special/209793/6 "2003-10-27T12:12:20Z")
There is nobody exactly like you. You are unique, just like everybody is. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-special/209793/7 "2003-10-27T13:32:45Z")
[python] I’m not [/python] ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-special/209793/8 "2003-10-27T14:01:52Z")
_Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice._ Proverbs 12:15 ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-special/209793/9 "2003-10-27T17:19:31Z")
… You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars. You have a right to be here. And whether it is clear to you or not, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. … -[**Desiderata**](http://www.macedonia.co.uk/mcic/soulandspirit/desiderata/desidero.asp) ---
**Author:** ![MasterChief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@MasterChief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MasterChief)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-special/209793/10 "2003-10-27T17:51:07Z")
To be frank with you Tikiman, I think the same of myself. ---
**Author:** ![hauss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5fc32e/32.png) [@hauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hauss)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-special/209793/11 "2003-10-27T19:59:40Z")
This is a healthy mindset for a young’un… it helps him/her develop into a confident leader, rather than a weak, submissive follower. The way it’s supposed to end up, though, is that the mindset should evolve into a more healthy outlook, a more humble outlook, by the time you hit adult-hood. You’re doin’ good, bud. Just don’t get carried away with this… internalize it, don’t let it show, and you’ll be fine.