We all have a few annoying traits associated with our zodiac sign. And usually, it's these very things our friends and partners love most about us. Our "annoying" traits can be what makes us endearing, quirky, and interesting. So nine times out of ten, they're nothing to be ashamed of.
But sometimes, these traits can accidentally rub others the wrong way, and make life more difficult than it needs to be. So it never hurts to be aware of them. When it comes to astrology and personality traits, it's all about being self-aware, and moving through the world in a way that feels right for you, but also makes your daily interactions as healthy as possible. Of course not everyone will identify with all the characteristics of their zodiac sign, but these traits can be used as a guide to offer you another layer of awareness into your personality.
Read more: Aries Zodiac Signs: Personality Traits, Love Compatibility & More Astrology
"Understanding where our weaknesses lie helps us develop compassion for ourselves and for others and gives us a direction to work toward in our own personal development," Therese Tucker, a psychic channel, medium, and empathic intuitive, tells Bustle. While you can't win over everyone all the time, it never hurts to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses, simply as a way of ensuring you have balance in life. Here are the two most "annoying" traits for each zodiac sign, as well as expert advice for keeping them in check.
1Aries (March 21 - April 19): Competitive & Impulsive
Aries can be a highly competitive sign, which certainly helps them get ahead in life. But if they aren't careful, this tendency can cause others to feel like they're being bowled over as Aries pursues their dreams — and that's not always the most well-received quality.
For Aries, it's important that they remember to be a team, not only for their reputation's sake, but also so they can be even more accomplished. "Being competitive with others is old paradigm behavior and won’t get [them] very far in an age that’s all about collaboration," Tucker says. "Instead, [Aries can] try using that competitive edge to compete with [themselves]."
As for their impulsiveness, Aries might want to try to go against their desire for instant gratification, and learn to slow down. "Contemplation is a skill that needs to be developed for Aries, and ultimately [they] will be better at manifesting [their] desires because [they] took the time to stop and really consider why [they wanted] want what [they desired]"
2Taurus (April 20 - May 20): Unmotivated & Self-Indulgent
As the sign of the bull, Taurus often has a tendency to come off as a bit unmotivated, and sometimes even a tad self-indulgent, if they aren't careful. They're all about comfort, and can easily give into stubbornness. But it's a trait they can work on, if they so choose.
To do so, "Taurus needs to create accountability," Tucker says. "If [they] can find the person who depends on [them] to be a shining example in this world, [they] can find the energy to do what needs to get done."
As for seeming like they're over-indulgent, Taurus can stand to strike a healthy balance between what they want, and what others want. "An easy way to remedy this is to share," Tucker says. "In other words, 'I do one kind thing for myself, and one kind thing for another.' It’s the 'one for me, one for you, two for me, two for you' approach," that will help Taurus come off as more giving. And, "this will help keep Taurus balanced, feeling deeply nurtured while using their strength to nurture others."
Read more: Taurus Zodiac Signs: Personality Traits, Love Compatibility, & More Astrology
3Gemini (May 21 - June 20): Superficial & Indecisive
As the the sign of the twins, it's easy for Gemini to come off as slightly superficial and indecisive. As Tucker says, "It’s easy for Gemini to get lost in their thoughts and in doing so they can easily gloss over other people’s feelings."
For any Gemini experiencing this issue, who feels like they might be rubbing others the wrong way, they can find balance in taking time to get to know people. "Take the time to get to know someone, use the power of Gemini’s need for knowledge to really learn about people around you," Tucker says. "You will discover your depth in this way."
Read more: Gemini Zodiac Signs: Personality Traits, Love Compatibility & More Astrology
4Cancer (June 21 - July 22): Insecure & Indirect
Cancer is all about creating a sense of security, so they're easily rattled whenever life feels unsure. When that happens, "the solution for Cancer is to focus their attention on something they know they are good at," Tucker says. "Even in a new situation, there is always something [they can] bring into it that [they] can feel secure about, [such as] kindness, willingness to learn, patience, etc."
Read more: Cancer Zodiac Signs: Personality Traits, Love Compatibility, & More Astrology
Cancer may also want to work on their habit of seeming indirect when they communicate with others. "They may know what they want, but again can feel too insecure to say it," Tucker says. To remedy this, "start with being direct in small ways, (what you’d like for dinner, or picking color palettes for decorating your home). In this way you can review how others react to your direct feedback and grow in a sense of security that the world will respond to you when you are clear with the world."
5Leo (July 23 - August 22): Arrogant & Hard On Themselves
Leo is often in the spotlight, since they enjoy being the star of the show. But it might be easy for them to come off as arrogant, as a result.
They also often give off a vibe that they're tough on themselves. "Leo has a very specific conundrum of [potentially] being both egotistical and yet completely aware of this trait," Tucker says.
Read more: Leo Zodiac Signs: Personality Traits, Love Compatibility, & More Astrology
So the best thing Leo can do, when these two traits come together, is to give themselves a break. "Let go of comparison and learn to see what other’s are giving instead," Tucker says. "Notice that everyone has a different approach in life and give them the benefit of the doubt that they really are doing the best they can. In this way, Leo [can develop] gratitude for others." And then, learn to show a little bit of that gratitude for themselves.
6Virgo (August 23 - September 22): Critical & Complaining
A Virgo's perfectionistic tendencies might rub others the wrong way, and make them seem a bit annoying. "They have a critical eye for detail that can make them great, but also be their short coming when they use that exacting eye on picking others apart," Tucker says.
Read more: Virgo Zodiac Signs: Personality Traits, Love Compatibility, & More Astrology
While they shouldn't necessarily tone down their eagle eye, they can learn to relax in certain situations. "Recognizing that the world and people are flawed, but those flaws create remarkable beauty, would be an excellent lesson for Virgo," says Tucker. "In turn, they would be able to relax knowing that their own flaws also make them more beautiful, too.
As for their habit of complaining, "working on reframing a situation is a seriously powerful skill for [them,]" Tucker says. "Yes, every situation has it’s [negative] side, but it also has its good side, too. Spend time focusing on what is good and you’ll notice that you draw more people and support in to you life."
7Libra (September 23 - October 22): Codependent & Self-Neglectful
Libra has a tendency to rely on others for their happiness, to a potentially unhealthy degree. And that can lead to others viewing them as codependent. "They are so committed to relationships and partnerships that they start identifying as that unit, rather than as the self," Tucker says. "Spending time with themselves, getting to know their own tastes, preferences, abilities, and personal strengths will help keep Libra strong and balanced." That way, they can have their relationship they so desire, without overwhelming their partner.
Read more: Libra Zodiac Signs: Personality Traits, Love Compatibility, & More Astrology
8Scorpio (October 23 - November 21): Intense & Secretive
If there's an intense sign, Scorpio is known to be it. And while their intensity is what makes them interesting, Scorpio has to be careful that they don't go overboard and rub people the wrong way.
Read more: Scorpio Zodiac Signs: Personality Traits, Love Compatibility, & More Astrology
"Intensity can lead to extremes," and extremes can be difficult for some to deal with, Tucker says. "Learning how to get in touch with something as simple, and powerful as the breath will help keep Scorpio in touch with their higher nature, allowing them to find balance in life."
The next time Scorpio catches themselves coming off as kind of paranoid, they can take a moment to center themselves. In doing so, they can overcome whatever's at their core that has them acting that way.
"Usually there is a fear of loss of, or a lack of acceptance," Tucker says. "Scorpio must learn to translate their fear and understand what it’s really about — that whatever they fear losing, they actually care deeply about. Once they can identify what they deeply care about, they should find someone they can trust and be brave enough to share what is precious to them. In this way Scorpio can overcome living in fear."
9Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21): Careless & Distracted
As a light-hearted sign, Sagittarius at their best "can be a lot of fun," Tucker says, but at their worst "can be ... careless." This can get them into trouble in their relationships, because they can come off as cold and distracted — even though they're really just masters of moving on.
So, to ensure that no one's feelings are hurt, it may behoove Sagittarius to be more careful regarding how they're perceived. "If they would take the time to check in with others, and make sure everyone is on the same page they would experience less turbulence here," Tucker says.
Read more: Sagittarius Zodiac Signs: Personality Traits, Love Compatibility, & More Astrology
10Capricorn (December 22 - January 19): Unyielding & Hard-Headed
When it comes to responsibility, Capricorn has that skill down pat. They can be counted on for anything, and they truly have their stuff together. But that same trait can make them seem unyielding and hard-headed, when you first meet them.
Read more: Capricorn Zodiac Signs: Personality Traits, Love Compatibility, & More Astrology
"Capricorns really think that their way is the right way, and in many cases they are right," Tucker says. "Unfortunately, this does not mean [they're always] right — but their lack of willingness to see another’s point of view can cause real friction in their lives."
Capricorn should feel free to stick to their guns when they're really passionate about something, while also keeping in mind that it's OK to see someone else's point of view. "If Capricorn would stop and ask themselves 'Do I want to be right or happy?' they might find the happiness that sometimes seems to allude them," Tucker says. "Choosing to be happy in the case of Capricorn means learning humility."
11Aquarius (January 20 - February 18): Detached & Overly-Logical
For shy Aquarius, it's easy for them to seem detached and fixed in their personality. "Aquarius is one of the most logical signs of the zodiac, and because [they are] always looking to make logical connections, problem solving, or understand the inner-workings, [they] can become overly-detached from [their] feelings," Tucker says.
Read more: Aquarius Zodiac Signs: Personality Traits, Love Compatibility & More Astrology
Since these traits can make some interactions tricky for Aquarius, it never hurts for them to figure out ways to better understand others. "Emotions feel like they muddy the waters and so Aquarius would rather not be bogged down by emotional confusion," Tucker says. "But, a lack of personal emotional intelligence means a lack of understanding someone else’s emotional response. They will not understand why someone is reacting so illogically to something they say or do until they tap into their own heart to see how it feels." Which is definitely a skill Aquarius can work on and master with time.
12Pisces (February 19 - March 20): Overly-Sensitive & Delusional
Pisces is known for being quite a dreamy, head-in-the-clouds type sign. And that's a beautiful thing. But they can come off as a bit delusional and overly-sensitive, if they aren't careful.
Read more: Pisces Zodiac Signs: Personality Traits, Love Compatibility & More Astrology
For Pisces to have healthier interactions with others, they can make sure they aren't jumping to conclusions. "Pisces would benefit from learning to ask for clarity when they feel confused by a situation," Tucker says. "If they would ask for others to share their point of view they would learn that their greatest fears are only illusions."
They can also benefit from grounding themselves, so they know how to be more logical when necessary. "Spending time grounding their energy ... will help Pisces stay anchored in reality while helping give their highly emotional energy somewhere to go," Tucker says. "Becoming a strong communicator will also help Pisces become grounded and connected to reality."
While each sign might have a few traits others can see as annoying, it's important to keep in mind that we all have habits that will rub others the wrong way, and it's always possible to find a happy balance, and get along better with others. Because while you can't win 'em all, you can certainly strive to have healthier, more balanced relationships.