I’ve been thinking about the phrase “interesting person” lately.
Not “nice”, not “successful”, not “didn’t ghost the group chat for three weeks” but genuinely interesting.
The kind of person you meet and you’re like, Wait... tell me more.
Even if they’re not doing the most.
For a while, I thought being interesting meant being a storyteller.
Someone who’d backpacked across continents, launched a business at 19, could speak six languages, and cook like a grandma from every region of Italy.
But now?
I’m not so sure.
What Makes Someone Interesting?
Let me be clear: it’s not giving “LinkedIn guru.”
It’s not how many countries they’ve been to or if they drink matcha with oat milk before 9 a.m.
I think it’s this:
Interesting people are interested.
They’re curious. Awake. Paying attention.
They listen more than they talk.
They ask “how did that make you feel?” and mean it.
They tell stories not to flex, but to connect.
They’re okay with not knowing. They’re not trying to go viral for being “deep.”
They might know random facts about trees.
Or still have a Tumblr.
Or once tried to learn pottery and never got past making a lopsided mug.
They have layers. Not for show, just because they’ve lived.
My Working Theory:
Interesting people aren’t performing.
They’re present. They’re self-aware. And they’re not afraid to be a little weird.
Because here’s the truth:
Most of the time, we don’t bond over the impressive.
We bond over the oddly specific.
Like your obsession with old Nollywood memes.
Or how you still journal in your notes app like a therapist is watching.
Or that phase you had in 2016 where you tried to become a DJ but only made one SoundCloud mix.
It’s the stories behind the scenes that shape someone’s depth, not the highlight reel.
A Quick Vibe Check:
Here’s what I think makes someone interesting:
They have a range.
Can talk about crypto and memes. Music and Spirituality.They’re curious, even about “boring” things.
They make people feel seen, not just impressed.
They’ve tried things. Even if they didn’t work.
They’re not allergic to silence.
They don’t treat every conversation like an audition.
And maybe most importantly?
They’re not rushing to “become.” They’re just being.
That quiet confidence? It’s magnetic.
🍩 A Donut-Sized Prompt for You:
Think about the most interesting person you know.
What made them stand out? What did they care about?
And on the flip side…
What’s a random little thing about you that no one sees on the surface, but makes you you?
🎧 Podcast I’m Recommending:
Which Type is the Happiest – “Are You a Cynic, Optimist, or Skeptic?” (with Dr. Jamil Zaki) - We Can Do Hard Things
This episode examines the emotional lens through which we perceive the world, and how curiosity, empathy, and perspective influence our relationships with others.
So what makes a person interesting?
Not their job.
Not their follower count.
Not whether they do 12-3-30 on an incline in a cute matching set.
It’s their energy. Their curiosity. Their quiet courage.
Their willingness to be real, not just polished.
And maybe that’s all any of us want to be:
Not perfect. Not impressive.
Just... a little more human.
With softness and side quests,
Toby