Ever since I was little I've always been super flexible. Later in my life I got a diagnosis stating that I'm not just super flexible, I've got hyper-mobility syndrome. I've met a handful of people who are hyper-flexible like me, and I'm willing to bet that these 10 things apply to them as well.
1. You always have a go-to fun fact
Recently I went through sorority recruitment and had to write my fun fact on a bunch of cards. I wrote "I'm hyper flexible and used to be a contortionist and an aerialist" 25 times. I've used this as a fun fact so many times that I tend to forget my other fun facts like that I hold two world records or that I'm good at math.
2. You constantly get asked if you're a dancer/gymnast/cheerleader
I actually used to be a contortionist. I did do dance and gymnastics but neither of them were right for me. Also I'm already too flexible so I'm advised not to do sports that will make me more flexible.
3. Whenever you tell people they're response is "show me the coolest thing you can do!"
Sometimes it's an okay space to whip out a trick but usually it's somewhere awkward but people will pester me until I do something. Usually I'll bring my arms from behind my back over my head which is met with a lot of screams. Some people shout "Do it again!" while others cringe and look away.
4. You might not have been the best at sports, but you were the best during warm-ups
I may not have been the best soccer player on my third-grade team, but you bet that during warmups when we did "butterfly" I awed everyone with my ability to put my legs all the way to the ground and reach all the way forward. Even now when I go to the gym I avoid eye contact with anyone while I'm huffing and puffing on the elliptical, but when it's stretching time I'll admit I like to see the amazed looks on people's faces.
5. You're utilized as a "wild card" during performances
Whether it be high school theatre or Greek Sing, my flexibility is used as a "wow factor".
6. Things tend to pop out of place a lot
While dislocations for other people could mean a trip to the hospital, dislocations and things out of place for hyper-flexible people are pretty common. For me personally it tends to be my hip that will sometimes act kind of wonky. To put it back into place I have to do something that resembles Fat Amy's signature move, "Mermaid Dancing". Sometimes I get to do this in the privacy of my own room but other times I get weird looks for doing it in places like the floor of my theatre class.
7. You tend to "crack" a lot
Other people: *cracks back a little* OMG DID YOU HEAR THAT?
Me: *cracks fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, back, hips, left knee, ankles, toes, and occasionally neck* I'm sorry what?
8. You may be in pain, especially when exercising
I'm lucky and have only been diagnosed with hyper-mobility syndrome. Even with one of the least severe medical explanations for flexibility, I'll easily get knots in my back, joints out of place, and hard impacts on joints hurt. People with Ehlers Danlos and POTS tend to have more severe symptoms. So while having a medical condition that makes me really flexible seems cool, it's not all it's cracked up to be.
9. You sit in weird positions
I'll be sitting in class talking with people around me and suddenly I'll hear "Oh my god how do you sit like that?" I look down and my legs are one on top of the other with the knees in the center, kind of looking like a triangle. Here's a pic of me in my natural "chilling out" position. Yes my knee is over my shoulder. As uncomfortable as it looks for you, it's that comfortable for me.
10. You tend to be really good at Twister
I might not be the best at monopoly or sorry! or connect 4. But if I go against you in twister I will be victorious.
