 Have you ever felt out of place in this world, or feel like you never truly belonged anywhere? Do people usually think you're odd, eccentric, or describe you as having your head in the clouds? Don't worry. This doesn't mean they're insulting you. In fact, take it as a compliment. If you identify with any of these traits, it means you're creative. To understand your mysterious talents and elusive nature, here are seven signs you're a highly creative soul. People often call you playful. Playfulness is a trait that is usually looked down upon because people associate it with immaturity and unreliability. But did you know that there are actually many benefits to being playful? It turns out that those who are playful get better grades in school, can handle stress better, and are more motivated in life. According to a study, those who have a playful nature are naturally more creative because they can easily change perspectives. This allows them to be effective problem solvers as they stumble upon unusual and novel solutions. So the next time someone frowns upon your childlike behavior, remember that your mental flexibility is a strength that helps you overcome challenges while letting you have some fun. 2. You're a night owl. Do you often stay up late? According to research published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, it turns out that those who are night owls tend to find more creative solutions. In fact, night owls scored higher on three different creativity tests than early birds. Experts believe that the reason behind this is because their unconventional schedule and habits may encourage them to find alternative and out-of-the-box solutions. So the next time your parents tell you to go to bed early, tell them that you're just being creative. 3. You get distracted easily. It turns out that sometimes too much focus can distract you from being creative. Instead of concentrating too much on one specific part of the picture, creative souls tend to drift here and there, exploring different options and ideas. Researchers also discovered that creative achievement is associated with one's inability to filter out sensory information. So if you're sensitive to constant tapping, loud chewing, talking or outside noises in general, it's because your brain has trouble ignoring them. Although this sounds like a nuisance when you want to get things done, the upside is that you're prone to being innovative. 4. You're neurotic. Do you often feel stressed out and worried more easily than others? The good news is that your neuroticism makes you more creative. Although the anxiety you experience can make you unhappy on a daily basis, according to research, the part of your brain that is highly active in neurotic individuals is also responsible for self-generated thoughts. While neuroscientists don't understand the direct link between neuroticism and creativity, they believe that the active part that triggers neuroticism is also related to our imagination. 5. You're good at coming up with lies, stories and excuses. Sounds crazy and a bit over the top, right? But according to a study done by Professor Gino Francesco at Harvard Business School and author Dan Ariely who wrote The Honest Truth About Dishonesty, there was a correlation between dishonesty and creativity. This is not to say that every creative person prefers to lie, cheat or steal. But it's because of their active imagination that makes them superb storytellers. Francesco and Ariely state that creative people subconsciously convince themselves that their actions are justified. Interestingly enough though, creative people usually don't believe that they are dishonest because their imagination convinces them that what they think is real. 6. You have a messy room and work environment. This doesn't mean a gross workplace that's unpleasant to be in. But one study published in SAGE journals shows that a disorganized desk and environment can promote creativity. Researchers conducted three experiments to see how messy rooms affect people's creativity. They concluded that disorderly environments can inspire the individual to break free from tradition, which can encourage them to produce novel ideas. Organized environments however influence people to play it safe, take less risks and think inside the box. 7. You enjoy talking to people from all walks of life. Creative individuals aren't afraid to go out and meet people who can give them new ideas and refreshing perspectives. They like to be experimental and welcome things that are less traditional. This makes them resilient as they have a high tolerance for failure if it means embracing exciting new experiences in exchange. To boost your creativity, we recommend that you talk to people who challenge what you think you know. Which of these signs do you most resonate with? Comment them below and if you feel they are accurate.