Common sense feels like it should come naturally, but we all know someone who just seems to miss it now and then (or all the time).
It turns out, there are a few reasons why common sense doesn’t click with everyone, as annoying as it can be to deal with. Here’s why there might be a disconnect.
1. They’ve had other people do most things for them.
Some people haven’t had to handle much on their own—maybe they’ve always had someone else calling the shots or dealing with the practical stuff. When you’re used to other people stepping in, there’s not much room to build common sense. They might just not have had enough practice thinking on their feet. It’s not that they can’t; they just haven’t needed to yet. Sometimes, it’s all about experience.
2. They’re lost in big ideas.
People who spend a lot of time thinking about theories or the “big picture” can miss out on practical thinking. They’re so wrapped up in ideas that when something simple comes along, it’s easy to overlook it. They’re not really trying to skip common sense; they’re just tuned into different details. The little things don’t grab their attention as much. They’re busy with their heads in the clouds, so to speak.
3. They didn’t pick up basic life skills early on.
Source: Unsplash Some people never really got the basics growing up—maybe no one taught them how to do certain things, or they just missed out on those lessons. Without those early experiences, common sense takes a bit longer to kick in. It’s tough to know what to do when you’ve never been shown the ropes. They’re just missing a few building blocks. Sometimes, it’s not what they know, but what they didn’t get to learn.
4. Overthinking gets the best of them.
Overthinkers tend to get stuck on the “what ifs,” which makes simple decisions seem complicated. They’re always running through different scenarios, which can lead them to miss the obvious. It’s not a lack of common sense—they’re just bogged down with too many options. For them, easy answers aren’t easy to spot. They’re so busy with details that they don’t always see the straightforward path.
5. Playing it safe is their style.
Source: Unsplash Some people avoid risks, and that can mean they miss out on learning from mistakes. Common sense grows with a little trial and error, and if you’re not experimenting, you’re missing those lessons. They’re used to staying in their comfort zone, so their practical side doesn’t get much exercise. It’s like a muscle they don’t often use. Playing it safe keeps things steady but doesn’t build that everyday know-how.
6. They tend to go along with the crowd.
When you’re always following someone else’s lead, you’re not practising your own judgement. People who just go with the flow might not build up their own decision-making muscles. They’re used to letting other people take charge, so common sense has less room to grow. It’s a habit that leaves them out of touch with their own instincts. They’re not lacking common sense; they’re just relying on someone else’s.
7. They stick to routines, no matter what.
Routines are comfortable, but if you lean on them too much, they can get in the way of practical thinking. People who are big on routines don’t get a lot of chances to think on their feet. They’re so used to the usual way that change feels strange, even if it’s straightforward. Routines make things easy, but they don’t always leave room for quick thinking. Sometimes, common sense needs a little spontaneity.
8. They’re not big on facing problems head-on.
For some, ignoring an issue seems easier than dealing with it, and that habit doesn’t help build common sense. If they’re always avoiding things, they’re not getting practice in finding solutions. They’re hoping things just sort themselves out, but that means they miss out on learning what works. Common sense often comes from handling the small stuff. It’s not about lacking ability—it’s about sidestepping the chance to build it.
9. Tech has become their go-to.
When people rely too much on tech, it can get in the way of practical problem-solving. It’s easy to Google everything, but that doesn’t leave much room to figure things out on your own. They’re so used to quick answers that they skip the thinking part. It’s not that they can’t do it—they’re just out of practice. Technology’s helpful, but it doesn’t replace common sense.
10. They struggle with switching things up.
People who aren’t great with change often have a hard time spotting simple solutions. When things don’t go as expected, they’re not sure how to adapt, which makes everyday problems feel bigger. They might see common sense as something other people have because they’re not comfortable with the unknown. Adaptability is half the battle for common sense, and not everyone’s got it down. It just doesn’t come naturally to everyone.
11. They don’t always pick up on details.
Some people just aren’t wired to notice the little things, and that can make them miss out on easy answers. If they’re always focused on the bigger picture, the details slip by unnoticed. Common sense often means spotting what’s right in front of you, and when they’re not tuned in, they miss it. It’s not intentional—they’re just not detail-oriented. It’s like they’re looking past what’s simple.
12. They haven’t had a lot of hands-on experiences.
Common sense grows when you’ve had chances to figure things out as you go, but some people haven’t had much hands-on time. Watching someone else or reading about it doesn’t quite hit the same. When you’ve done things yourself, those lessons stick, and without that, common sense has less room to grow. They’re lacking experience more than ability. Real-world situations are a huge help, and some people haven’t had as many.
13. They’re scared of getting it wrong.
Some people are just too afraid to mess up, so they don’t give themselves the chance to build common sense. They play it safe to avoid mistakes, but that means they miss out on learning from them. Common sense often comes from trying, messing up, and finding a better way next time. If failure feels like too much of a risk, they don’t get to learn those valuable lessons. It keeps them in their comfort zone.
14. They focus on “should” rather than what works.
Some people are hung up on how things “should” go, so they miss the simpler path. They’re caught up in ideals and miss the practical, easy option right in front of them. Common sense sometimes just means doing what works, even if it’s not perfect. If they’re always thinking of the “right” way, they might skip the obvious choice. They’re more about theories than practicality.
15. They don’t spend much time reflecting on things.
Without a little reflection, people miss out on the chance to learn from their experiences. Those who don’t look back don’t always connect the dots on what worked and what didn’t. Common sense builds when you take time to process things, and if that’s not their style, they miss out on the insights. It’s not that they lack sense; they’re just not making time to notice what they’ve picked up. They’re moving forward without checking in on what they’ve learned.
