Solitary, philosophical and wise beyond their years, the Old Soul, just like any social oddity, tend to be mislabeled, and misunderstood by a society that fails to see the beauty of its own kind.
Walking through life feeling like an outsider looking in, the Old Soul can find his matured temperament and outlook on life questioned and criticized.
This article will explore 6 common ‘myths’ associated with the Old Soul temperament, in hopes of broadening the understanding of popular, but misguided perceptions.
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6 Myths About Old Souls
Here are 6 major misconceptions about Old Souls:
Myth #1: Old Souls are lazy deadbeats.
Truth: We long for simple and uncomplicated lives.
Many Old Souls don’t see eye to eye with society. Wealth, material possessions and social statuses have no importance or allure to the Old Soul because they are seen as transient and momentarily fulfilling.
Why waste time complicating life with academic degrees, workplace competition and continuous debt when life can be lived simply and calmly? This is why many Old Souls opt to work in unimportant, low-paying jobs, or decide not to work at all.
If money is the root of all evil, why let your life revolve around it? In this situation, the Old Soul prefers to sit back, relax and smell the roses of life.
Myth #2: Old Souls are asocial misanthropes.
Truth: We tend to be quiet and solitary.
As pointed out in my other Old Soul article, many Old Souls tend to be solitary and/or loners by nature. Understandably, this character quirk can be perceived very negatively by a society that values social stimulation and extroversion.
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Old Souls tend to prefer their own company because only in solitude can they come to think their best thoughts, write their best works, and create their best creations. It is the Old Souls thirst for spiritual self-actualization that fuels their need to be alone.
People, often, can become distractions and hang-ups on their inner quests for meaning and fulfillment.
Myth #3: Old Souls are pretentious know-it-alls.
Truth: We were born with a matured perspective of life.
Young Old Souls, in particular, are met with a lot of judgment when they stay true to their authentic selves.
What person, especially middle-aged or old, wants to listen to a kooky looking young man or woman talking about the meaning of life. Especially if they’re dressed in what appears to be their grandparents clothing!
Understandably, many young Old Souls are measured against what is “normal” for their age, and end up falling short of societal expectations. Thus come negative perceptions that Old Souls are “affected”, “artificial” or “conceited”.
Myth #4: Old Souls are mentally defective.
Truth: We like taking our time to do things properly.
I thank Facebook’s Old Soul Group for sharing their experiences which inspired this myth.
These experiences, as well as my own, have shown that Old Souls as a whole tend to be very meticulous. Their sensitivity and care for the world tends to make them take extra time to complete tasks.
Old Souls show their care and commitment by the amount of time they invest in people and projects. Unfortunately, this can make them “slow” in the workplace, making them seem inept and unintelligent compared to their faster-paced colleagues.
Myth #5: “Old Soul” is a word made up by insecure or arrogant people trying to be unique.
Truth: “Old Soul” is a word used to describe the feeling of being old in mind and heart.
Understandably, there are a few skeptics that try to rationalize “how can you measure the age of a soul? This stuff is mumbo-jumbo“.
Regardless of whether you believe in the reincarnation Soul Age theory linked with this group of people, being an Old Soul is specifically and exclusively a feeling felt by different groups of individuals. This feeling, which can’t be effectively analyzed by the conscious mind, is a subconscious sensation of “just knowing things”, “having been here before”, and “feeling matured and mentally aged”.
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Old Souls don’t feel that they’re any better than other people, nor do they necessarily feel insecure. The term is simply used to describe what they feel inside.
Myth #6: Old Souls are aloof and cold.
Truth: We tend to have a detached, yet sensitive outlook on life.
If all things are passing – good and bad, people and possessions – what’s the point of becoming too attached to anything?
Many friends, lovers and family members are surprised by the Old Soul’s disconnection from the cares of the world. Understandably, this can be unsettling, even a little upsetting for some. However, the Old Soul still maintains a sensitivity that few understand, and often display traits that can be linked to the Empath.
Still, the Old Soul, a perpetual observer of life, tends to have a “been there, done that” mentality, that many, including even the Old Soul himself, finds puzzling. Backstabbing, gossiping, fighting, as well as addictions, money issues and other day to day problems rarely affect Old Souls.
As physical existence begins to lose its charm, the Old Soul faces deeper existential problems. This, perhaps, is why the Old Soul often feels world-wary and tired.
***
If you’re interested in finding out more about Old Souls, why not take our Old Soul Test to find out how old is your soul?
Please feel free to share any thoughts or opinions you have below!
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Who is the woman in the first photograph? I look identical to her and a friend encouraged me to contact the author of this article to find out who she is because the resemblance is somewhat eerie.
Sorry Caroline, I’m not sure.
-Luna
Thank you for validating how I have felt most of my life. I too have been told I have an “old soul” especially significant for me was how I feel and my understand of religion or religious beliefs because “it was always so simple for me to see that many paths lead to one higher being or power”, I could never understand why others around me didnt see how clear it was or understand me when I tried to explain….. Thank you for being out there……..
And thank you for kindly sharing your thoughts Lilly!
-Luna
While I mostly agree with both of your articles, I believe there are some generalizations or misconceptions.
1. Money, Addictions and other problems don’t often plague the old soul.
I think this couldn’t be less true. A lot of old souls turn to substances to help lessen the incessant chatter of modern life. Old souls tend to be extremely sensitive, empathetic and intuitive. This can leave them feeling raw sometimes. In an age of instant communication and constant distraction, old souls can feel overwhelmed by the symphony of distractions. We do crave a simpler life. Many of us feel we should have been born in a different time. It’s for this reason that many turn to substances to quiet the constant assault on their senses.
As far as money goes, old souls can experience issues here as well. We are a very sentimental and experientially driven bunch. We crave feeling, emotion and experience over material things. But we often find it hard as money is a necessary commodity needed for almost anything; food, travel etc. It’s a constant battle between our hate of materialism and our need to have the means to pursue our passions. We are never the type to hoard or seek more than we need, but we do want just enough to live our lives the way we want to. This can be a very challenging paradox for us.
2. We come off as detached. We feel both people and things are passing.
Again I think the opposite here. We don’t place much if any worth on things, but again we place a lot of emphasis on experiences, passions and pursuits. As far as people go, it’s again a misunderstanding of why. Old souls have a hard time identifying with most, especially in this age of instant gratification, trivialities and voyeuristic indulgences. This is particularly true in love. We find it very hard to relate to most people we date. They just don’t get it or us. But when we do find someone, the counter-part to our own old soul, it’s utterly and completely amazing. The depth of intimacy we can achieve with those individuals is nothing short of complete and absolute understanding. Old souls tend to be extremely empathetic, sensitive and in-tune with emotions. It can often be described as a sixth sense for many.
Maybe we aren’t as accepted socially as normal people are, but when it comes to things that are truly important everyone seeks us out for advice. Our beautiful, centered and observant way of looking at the world often leaves them in awe. People see us as deep and wise. Which is nothing short of the truth. Our ability to search within and without for answers gives us a sort of worldly perspective that others cherish.
Being an old soul can be rough, very rough. We never feel like we quite fit in. But if you can find counterparts in a romantic relationship and friends, its the most beautiful life you could ever ask for.
Hello Chris.
You appear to have a very different perspective of the Old Soul, perhaps coloured by your own experiences in life, perhaps not. Thank you for sharing your ideas here. -L
Thank you for your comment Chris. I am in agreement. I just wonder where is the best place to meet other “old souls?” I’ve been seeking them out, as well as mature souls. Any ideas?
I agree with you….
I whole heartedly agree with you, Chris. Perhaps these ‘other’ old souls are just not quite as old as we, just yet? :) Perhaps they will be able to relate to us more after living a few more lives! :) Namaste, friend. <3
Good Comment
Old souls are keen observers of the natural world. There they connect with the calm powerful knowing that they are part of something bigger t.han the sum of its parts.
They often communicate in such a way that others are unaware that a question they have not yet asked has just been answered for future reference.
This exchange occurs in a world without sound or form. It has no conscious meaning or presence of mind until the right question has been asked.
Old souls accept that their own realization as light beings is rarely achieved without projecting the precise wisdom that heals, guides and empowers less-advanced souls.
Through their acceptance of these responsibilities and patient, subtle, ego-less, for-the-better-of-the-higher-good contributions to the quickening of human evolution and humanity’s move toward a global community, they choose their own time of ascension. Many have have yet to consider ascension.
If they consider their work undone or the progress disrupted according to their wisdom, they very simply choose to remain old souls and will reject ascendance in favor of service to less-advanced souls, who will grow toward their own expression of understanding, awareness and wisdom.
When the wisdom these old souls possess is surpassed by the wisdom of those who follow after them, they turn inward and enter transcendance of illusions of force, form and self to become light bearers in service to the natural world, humanity and planet earth. A global community awakes and closes the circle of life. Balance is restored between the cosmic forces as Chaos ceases escalating expansion and the equal but opposite contractions of the forces of Order subside into an ebb and flow of Cosmic forces that enable growth through redefining the human condition and multi-dimensional existence where science, spirit and technology combine to realise more human potential than ever before, and the means to strive for, reach and surpass it.
Hello Saturnal Soul, many thanks for sharing your own definition of the Old Soul here! I’m sure others will be interested in reading what you have to say. -L
I would so love to meet you. Namaste. :)
Love
Thank you- I. Was beginning to feel alone out there. My kids are very young souls, and my son-in-law just above that. And they tend to attract interesting people that are trying to find themselves. I KNOW who I am, but just get lonely from time to time.
Cheryl, that is understandable. When our perspectives and personalities significantly differ from those around us, it’s natural to feel somewhat alienated and ‘weird’. I’m happy that this article was able to show you that you’re not alone in these differences, and in fact, there are many people out there who experience exactly what you do, but in different contexts. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Thanks for posting this article – I can relate to it so much (I’m an INFP) it sounds almost exactly like the way I am and also I feel less strange after reading that all these traits are part of being different and not just having a strange state of mind. Also I think one of my closest friends is most likely an ‘Old Soul’ as well, so I’ll be telling him about this :) (I would guess he’s an ENFP or INTP)
Hi there Grace! I’m so happy to hear that this article has helped you to broaden your self-understanding. Many thanks for reading! -L
You two are a hoot, I like you already if for nothing else, your authenticity. I have been told I am the oldest soul, the first and the last. I have gained some wisdom still from your site understanding my life and interactions in this world nonetheless and am grateful for your work here. Perhaps I will meet some people here in Phoenix that don’t bore me to tears yet through your site. The father knows… Blessings!
Wow!
This is such a fascinating subject for me! I have been labeled an “old soul” since I can remember! I didn’t really understand what was meant until now. Took the test and scored 92… ;)
Thank you for writing about this. I am INFJ as well! :D
Narcissism , being obsessively preoccupied with your own day dreaming mental projection , is a seriously damaging mental illness that alienates the ” old soul” from the surrounding universe……http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder
Your failure to see that my comment obviously suggests Old Soul syndrom has dangerous narcissistic tendancies proves the very point of my comment…. that too much self absorption into ones own private world of immaginations can lead to a debilitating blindness , a disenlightenment, a disconnection from what other people think, feel, and say ,. To excess narcissim can debilitate a person’s ability to grow , learn, and interact with other human beings in a way that is sad and not to be romanticized as a false ” myth. “
How did I know that the bottom line point of your initial reply was to make some beat down of me about making a broad assumption about people? …because I have known many an ” Old Soul ” and their behaviors are predictable. So I purposefully did not make a pre-emptive defensive remark about ” not all old souls are narcissistic ” . I should not have to make such a defensive disqualifier because a good person, a kind person would not jump to such an insulting assuption that I am broadly characterising ALL Old souls as narcissistic and proceed to pound into me as ” judging other people to feel powerful ” while you hypocritically go about that very same behavior of passing judgement on me and slamming me on a personal level. …but this is what you get from narcissistic people. They CAN’T be helpfully criticised without becoming hostile and antagonistic. They really SUCK at friendships and having functional conversations with anyone other than bobble head sycophants . No “power trip ” here just TRUTH. I simply did not enjoy reading your imbalanced one sided romanticism of a mental state that can cause a lot of pain and disappointment for all involved.
Donh: you are rude, you are hypocritical and you are not nearly as accurate as you think yourself to be.
First of all, Wikipedia is not a source for a convenient-store lesson on psychology. Actually, it may be the perfect source for such a thing, so scratch that. Furthermore, your language reveals itself in your overt outburst, accurately and casually cited as “venting” by Miss Luna.
If you have indeed known so many Old Souls, I’m not surprised in the least they’ve felt no compulsion to give you their best. What you deem as “constructive criticism” is delivered in a closed and destructive manner. In this way, you represent the very conflict-driven climate an Old Soul would never seek to engage meaningfully with. Accept people as they are, and if you do not know how they are, stay quiet on the matter until you do. If you try to understand by applying presupposed conclusions, you will never truly understand. See, what is not common is neither inherently better or worse–it may be EASIER to understand by applying labels (i.e. narcissism) but these are rarely holistic or accurate in terms of a soul’s identity. An important distinction, as I would argue the soul affects behavioral traits rather than the other way around. As I can hear the bite in the voice of your words, I choose to accept you–at bare minimum–as someone worthy of reproval (note: for your projected persona in these comments, NOT for you as a person; admittedly, I generally fail to find a distinction, but we can all hide behind unnecessary disclaimers).
Luna should not have to be so nice in response to the malicious manner you “defend” yourself in–but she is. A testament to the truth in her words. Your words wrap around themselves and back again with lies and jabs. You cannot support your claims. You have gained no respect from anyone on this site, which you chose to visit. If you felt compelled to read through the entirety of Luna’s romanticized accounts of a (by and large) GENTLE and self-aware personality type only to satisfy yourself with a deliberately disingenuous ATTACK —> perhaps you should look within yourself to see if narcissism in fact has its wily grips on you. On that note, good day, sir.
& Luna: Loved the article. Love this site. Appreciated your kindness in response to this guy; well played. I just couldn’t help myself.
–Eric, INFJ
~AllTheWorldsAStage~
Perhaps I should have kept 1 Corinthians: 13 closer to the front of my mind as I started in on the previous post. It’s a good one to go by. A good one to remember when focusing your message with truth laid out before you. A verse I hope not to forget in a forum like this again. We are all guilty of letting emotion fuel our words from time to time. Lessons being learned always.
Top class thanks
total nonsense this comment is!
Hello Donh
Well Having spent a considerable chunk of life with Narc I can safely say Narcs can not be “old soul”. Narcs undying need for attention and stay as center of attraction doesnt go hand in hand with “old souls” who love solitude.
Narc’s den can be lonely because they act cruelly on people who love them to whom they reply with discard and devaluation. While “old souls” may not indulge with people whom they dont feel “connected” to.
On scale of smartness/ knowledge they *seem* to be close on scale but in reality narcs have longest journey to become an “old soul”
“old souls” dont wish to hurt others because they are aware of they “antics “. Narcs dont want to hurt themselves or let anyone do. No one else exists for them. :)
Ah, yes, Luna, old souls do achieve maturity while they’re quite young, perhaps because they were born mature, as you suggest. Maturity is nothing by itself. We all get smart eventually. Live long enough, get beaten up enough times and everyone finally wises up, but usually when it’s much too late. To achieve maturity, though, while you’re young enough to enjoy it, that, to me, is WISDOM. I envy you young “old souls,” but I’m happy for you. Wish I’d been an old soul before I got old.
But far better to be one now, than never :) Life takes away youth, and replaces it with wisdom. It is usually a fair trade, in my opinion. It is really strange, though, to feel older than one’s colleagues. Especially when they are all years older then you (early 20’s). It hurts when you give them advice and then watch them make the mistakes you warned them about. Not that I am somehow perfect, though, I just haven’t made the same kind of mistakes. So please don’t envy us; with greater wisdom, comes greater pain.
Justin, I echo your thoughts and sentiments. Society tends to assume that with age comes wisdom. They tell us constantly to “listen to our elders”. But many of the elders that I’ve observed are just like children, except aged and set in their ways. Go to the casino for instance, and the vast majority of people there are pensioners, spending their money on mind-numbing machines. That’s not to say that all old people are like that, some are very wise indeed. But they are few and far between.
Being a young old soul can be a tricky affair, as you suggest. The minute they open their mouths to say something intelligent is the minute they’re judged harshly as being “arrogant”, “precocious” or “pretentious”. Sort of like “stop preaching to me old man! I know better than you. Who’s the old one here?”
Thanks Justin!
Your wisdom, Luna, is exactly why I come here. Your approach to things is revolutionary. I have never been to a casino (too young), so I really didn’t know. I don’t mean to preach, so please forgive me if I sounded (or sound) that way. Interacting isn’t my strong point, as I spend 85 to 90% of my time alone.
You can be mature in certain ways as a child, but not necessarily recognized as such by society or even by family.
Very true Susanhope. Many old soul children are thought of as smart asses by society, which is unfortunate, as they can teach us a lot if we choose to listen to them closely.
All my life I have been told I am an old soul…I took the test and it says 95% old soul.some I gave a low score because it asked about others opinion of me and to be honest I do not know what others think of me lol.. Knowing what the phrase means shines a big spot life on my life now and lots of understanding ..my question is how are other people seeing u as an old soul?my mother was the first one to say it to me but other people that I had limited contact with have said it too teachers counselors nursing home patients …….why is that ?
Hi Chriisy,
People can be very perceptive in regards to normal vs. abnormal behavior, which can manifest itself in many different nuances for example: the way you speak, the way you joke around, what you choose to talk about, how you carry yourself, what your interests are, how well you get along with other people and so forth.
-Luna
Respect