If you were a rebellious kid, there’s a good chance that spirit has stuck with you well into adulthood.
Being a rebel isn’t just about spiking your hair and raging against the machine as a teen. Those youthful experiences leave an indelible mark on your personality that carries through the rest of your life. So how can you spot someone who has that rebel heart beating in their chest? Here are 15 telltale traits to look out for.
1. They question authority.
Those rebel roots run deep. Former teen rebels have a hard time blindly accepting rules and directives from authority figures. They aren’t afraid to ask “Why?” and push back if something doesn’t make sense to them. This can sometimes be interpreted as insubordination, but really they just need to understand the reasoning behind requests, and they’ll get on board if it checks out.
2. They think for themselves.
Rebellious youth grow into adults who are independent thinkers. They don’t just accept things at face value or go along with what everyone else is doing or thinking. You won’t find many former rebels jumping on bandwagons or following trends just to fit in. They take the time to critically evaluate ideas and situations to form their own conclusions and opinions.
3. They’re not afraid of conflict.
Most people avoid confrontation and conflict like the plague. Not former rebels. They’re not afraid to get into heated debates or arguments if they feel passionately that they’re in the right about something. They’ll go toe-to-toe with anyone, even people in positions of power over them. Backing down from a verbal fight just isn’t in their DNA.
4. They won’t be put in a box.
Try to label or categorise a former rebel and watch the sparks fly. They defy simplistic stereotypes and refuse to be pigeonholed. Their interests and personality traits are often a mishmash that doesn’t fit neatly into a clean, pre-defined identity box. And that’s exactly how they like it. Label them at your own risk.
5. They’re comfortable going against the grain.
Former rebels are used to being the odd one out and are totally fine with it. They’re not driven by a need to conform or be accepted by the group. Quite the opposite — they take pride in marching to the beat of their own drum. So what if their beliefs and behaviours are atypical? That’s a feature, not a bug.
6. They push boundaries.
Former rebels like to test limits and push boundaries. This was true when they were young, and it’s still true today. They’re always trying to see how far they can go, whether it’s with ideas, humour, or actions. Sure, this means they can sometimes go too far, but it also fuels their creativity, innovation, and willingness to take risks.
7. They have strong opinions.
If you want to know where a former rebel stands on an issue, just ask them. They’ll give it to you straight, with no hedging or equivocating. Over the years, they’ve spent a lot of time thinking about their beliefs and values, and they hold strong convictions. You may not always agree with their takes, but you have to respect their confidence and clarity.
8. They’re driven by passion.
Former rebels throw themselves fully into the things they care about. When something ignites their passion, whether it’s a cause, a hobby, or a career, they pursue it with unbridled enthusiasm and determination. They’re “all in” types who don’t do anything half-heartedly. That passion is the fuel that propelled their youthful rebellion, and it’s still a major motivating force.
9. They can be impulsive.
Rebelliousness and reckless impulsivity often go hand in hand, especially in youth. While former rebels usually get better at reining it in with maturity, that impulsive streak never totally goes away. They still sometimes act on gut instinct and make snap decisions without thinking through all the ramifications. This can lead to careless mistakes but also inspired spontaneity.
10. They’re determined to be authentic.
Above almost all else, former rebels value being true to themselves. Authenticity is hugely important to them, and they strive to always say what they mean and mean what they say. They believe in being genuine and can’t abide phoniness in themselves or others. What you see is what you get with former rebels.
11. They have grit.
Being rebellious often means going up against major opposition and weathering a lot of criticism and pushback. As a result, former rebels develop a thick skin and a ton of perseverance. They’re no strangers to adversity, and they’ve learned that gritting their teeth and ploughing forward is often the only way to stay true to themselves and their ideals. That grit serves them well.
12. They can handle disappointment.
When you go against the grain as much as rebels do, you’re bound to face a lot of discouragement, rejection, and disappointment. Former rebels learn not to get too knocked back by it. They understand that failure and setbacks are often part of the package when you’re forging your own path. As much as it stings, they’re able to dust themselves off and carry on.
13. They look out for the underdog.
Former rebels remember what it’s like to feel marginalised, dismissed or misunderstood. As a result, they tend to be protective of people in underdog positions. They’re often the ones piping up to defend a bullied colleague or making sure the quietest person in the meeting gets a chance to voice their idea. They know how much it sucks to be silenced.
14. They can sniff out (and call out) injustice.
Rebels tend to be attuned to unfairness and injustice from a young age. It’s often what ignited their rebellious fire in the first place. That sixth sense for inequity sticks with them over the years. Former rebels are often the first ones to call out discrimination, shady politics, abuses of power, or anything else that reeks of injustice.
15. They know who they are.
The rebel path isn’t an easy one. It involves a lot of soul-searching, experimentation, and hard-earned self-knowledge. By the time they reach adulthood, former rebels usually have a strong, well-defined sense of self. They know their strengths and shortcomings, what they stand for, and what they want out of life. And they’re not afraid to.
