How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
– Satchel Paige
There is a special kind of person in our world who finds herself alone and isolated, almost since birth.
Her solitary existence isn’t from a preference or an antisocial temperament – she is simply old. Old in heart, old in mind, and old in soul, this person is an old soul who finds her outlook on life vastly different and more ripened than those around her.
As a result, the old soul lives her life internally, walking her own solitary path while the rest around her flock to follow another.
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Perhaps you’ve experienced this in your own life, or have witnessed it in another person? If so, this article is dedicated to you, in hopes that you will come to define yourself or understand another better.
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Table of contents
What is an Old Soul?
Quite simply, an Old Soul is a person who feels much older than their age reflects. This feeling is often accompanied by the gift of empathy, high intelligence, intuition, and keen insight into the human condition.
Old Souls are often outsiders looking in, they feel as though they don’t “belong” in this world, or this period of time. As a result, most Old Souls long for a sense of true meaning, purpose and inner fulfillment that money, power, and success can’t achieve. This longing is often described as the thirst to “return back home.”
There are two major types of Old Souls: those that are born with the sensation of being “different,” and those who “grow into” becoming Old Souls through the process of spiritual awakening. We’ll explore Old Souls and spiritual awakening more a little later.
17 Signs You’re An Old Soul
Robert Frost, Eckhart Tolle, Jim Carrey, Oprah Winfrey, and even Nick Jonas have been called Old Souls. Perhaps even you have?
If you have not yet discovered whether you’re an Old Soul, read some of the revealing signs below:
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1# You tend to be a lone wolf
Because Old Souls are disinterested in the pursuits and interests of the people in their age groups, they find it dissatisfying to make friends with people they find hard to relate to. This sense of alienation is one of the major problems Old Souls experience. The result is that Old Souls tend to find themselves alone a lot of the time. They struggle to connect deeply with others because most other people don’t have the same interests or values as them.
2# You love knowledge, wisdom, and truth
This might seem a little highbrow, but the Old Soul finds herself naturally gravitating towards the intellectual side of life. Old Souls inherently understand that knowledge is power, wisdom is happiness, and truth is freedom, so why not seek after those things? These pursuits are more meaningful to them than reading up on the latest gossip about the Kardashians or the latest football scores.
3# You’re spiritually inclined
Old Souls tend to have sensitive and spiritual natures. Experiencing a spiritual awakening, overcoming the confines of the ego, seeking spiritual enlightenment and self-realization, and fostering love and peace are often at the core of the Old Soul’s ultimate quest in life.
4# You understand the transience of life
Old Souls are frequently plagued with reminders of their own mortality and that of everything and everyone around them. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the old soul to have multiple existential crises throughout life, especially during difficult situations that highlight the impermanence of existence. Being very perceptive and sensitive toward the reality of death, old souls choose to live their lives differently. Every decision counts.
5# You’re thoughtful and introspective
Old Souls tend to think a lot … about everything. It’s crucial for an old soul to get enough space and time to reflect, introspect, and develop more self-awareness. This natural tendency toward rumination helps them to quickly learn from their actions and understand the people and environments around them. Many Old Souls practice a natural form of shadow work in which they are constantly reflecting on how they could do better, prevent their issues from getting bigger, and create more inner harmony.
6# You see the bigger picture
Old Souls dislike getting lost in the superficial details of gaining useless degrees, job promotions, social prestige, and better iPhones. Instead, Old Souls prefer to look at life from a birds-eye perspective, striving to find the wisest and most meaningful way of living and using their time. After all, life can end at any moment, so why waste time on trivial details?
7# You aren’t materialistic
Wealth, status, fame, and the latest tech gadget … Old Souls take little interest in these things. After all, what’s the point of seeking these socially paraded goals if they can easily be taken away? What’s the point if the fulfillment isn’t long-lasting or soul-enriching?
8# You were a strange, socially maladaptive kid
This is not always the case, but many Old Souls exhibit odd signs of maturity at young ages. Often, these children are labeled as being “precocious,” “introverted,” or “rebellious,” failing to fit into the mainstream behaviors. Usually, these children are extremely inquisitive and intelligent, seeing the purposelessness of many things their teachers, parents, and peers say and do, and either passively or aggressively resist them. If you can talk to your child like s/he’s an adult – you’ve probably got an Old Soul on your hands.
9# You’ve undergone an existential crisis
It’s common for Old Souls to ask deep and penetrating questions about life in their search for love, truth, and freedom. This quest to live a meaningful existence inevitably means that they will, sooner or later, experience an existential crisis. An existential crisis is what happens when a person starts to see through the lies and delusions within society. They may wonder what life is really about, whether they have a true purpose, and start to think about the human condition more. Is life just a product of chance? What’s the point of everything I’ve done? What is all this about, anyway? These are the types of questions Old Souls ask during the existential crisis.
10# You see life through a poetic/contemplative lens
Old Souls take time to enjoy life – they see things that others don’t see. Take nature for example: an Old Soul will enjoy the way the wind dances through the trees – while someone else may just walk straight by, disinterested or blind to the simple beauty before them. Old Souls also take time to contemplate life. The smile and laughter of a child is something to stop and savor. The striking beauty of a piece of art is something to ponder. The words of a great writer are something to meditate on (see Lectio Divina). There is so much in life to stop, appreciate, and reflect on.
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11# You tend to overthink everything
While Old Souls are contemplative types of people, this can also prove to be a painful and challenging quality. For instance, most Old Souls struggle with the curse of overthinking practically everything. Choosing from a menu at a cafe, for example, can be a strangely painstaking experience. (There are so many options! Which is the right one? What would taste the best? What is the most ethical? What is the best value for money? What is right for this time of the day? etc.) Social situations are no better, which leads to the next point …
12# You struggle with anxiety in social situations
Put the tendency to overthink everything alongside conscientiousness and strong empathy, and you have a recipe for social anxiety. Throw in a little bit of eccentricity (i.e., not sharing the same interests as most people) and we have an unavoidable tendency towards lingering social discomfort. Although many Old Souls are confident, calm, and self-possessed people, social situations are complex and tiring. There are so many elements to consider (fragile egos, etiquette, boundaries, reciprocity, unspoken but obvious insecurities, etc.) that they often prefer just being left by themselves. With that being said, when Old Souls do find someone they connect with or find interesting, they tend to form strong and intense connections quite quickly. It’s one of the greatest joys of life to find fellow kindred spirits.
13# You easily fall into the role of advisor or counselor
People flock to Old Souls for advice like a moth drawn to a flame. Attracted to their level-headedness and wisdom, it’s common for family members, friends, and workplaces to naturally position the Old Soul as advice-giver. While most Old Souls don’t mind this, it’s common for them to feel inundated and overwhelmed by the magnitude of other’s problems. Even so, Old Souls enjoy helping others. It’s more of a pleasure (than a burden) to give guidance to those in need.
14# You enjoy the company of those much older than you
Old Souls tend to make friends with older folks way more often than younger people (including those of the same age). There is something so down-to-earth, engaging, and layered about those who have been around much longer than the rest. Besides, it’s comforting being around those whose external energy matches the Old Soul’s internal energy. There’s something compatible there. No need to go running around like a headless chicken to parties, concerts, and what have you. Instead, Old Souls can enjoy sitting around a fire or lounging on the patio chairs, having a good old-fashion talk and exchanging stories.
15# You crave simplicity
In some areas of life, Old Souls respect and even like complexity. But overall, what most Old Souls crave deep down is simplicity. There is a certain purity, beauty, and Zen-like appeal in the simple life. Some Old Souls may find themselves drawn toward minimalism, while others may take a minimalistic attitude toward everyday responsibilities and other pursuits. The Old Soul’s thirst for simplicity is very much connected to their love of heart, soul, and essence. Whatever is true and worthy can easily be found in simplicity.
16# You’re attracted to all things vintage
While this might not be the case for all Old Souls, many find themselves drawn toward old music, old furniture, old architecture, old books, old clothing – really, anything old. Some Old Souls feel more at home in bygone eras (18th-century horse and carriage, 1920’s jazz, etc.), while others have an appreciation for even older cultures (e.g., shamanic and tribal periods).
17# You just “feel” old inside
Throw away the ‘Old Soul’ label for a moment and focus on how you feel inside. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? Those who realize that they feel much older than their age reflects are often Old Souls at heart.
Common feelings that accompany being an Old Soul usually include a feeling of world wariness, mental tiredness, inquisitiveness, watchful patience, and the sensation of being an “outsider looking in.”
More In-Depth Help
Want to learn more about being an Old Soul? In my book Old Souls: The Sages and Mystics of Our World, I give more in-depth guidance:
Have You Experienced Spiritual Awakening as an Old Soul?
Almost every Old Soul, to some extent, has undergone a process of spiritual awakening.
Spiritual awakenings are periods in our lives when we feel lost, confused, and alienated from others and society’s rules, expectations, beliefs, and values.
The spiritual awakening process is a painful and often traumatic experience involving the complete disintegration of our former habits, perceptions, and even life goals. Often, the result of such an experience is fear, confusion, depression, anxiety, and social alienation for years on end. However, despite such devastation, the spiritual awakening process is ultimately a liberating experience after we have gone through the fires of rebirth.
You might be wondering what triggers the spiritual awakening process …
Well, usually the spiritual awakening process arises in a person’s life during major life events such as marriage, divorce, child-bearing, death, illness, and tragedy. However, spiritual awakenings can also be completely spontaneous, arising as a natural result of life experience – or in the Old Soul’s case, soulful maturity.
The inevitable product of going through a spiritual awakening process is soulfully maturing. The more we come to see through the illusions and deceptions of society, the more we direct our search for true happiness and fulfillment within ourselves. The deeper we search, the closer we connect with our Souls, which are the ultimate sources of our joy and peace.
Old Souls are people who are conscious of the Soul’s existence and actively work to reconnect with it again. In this sense, the term “Old Soul” is metaphorical rather than literal, indicating a matured and ripened relationship with the Soul or True Self. A Young Soul, on the other hand, is a person who hasn’t yet experienced a deep connection with their Souls, or Higher Selves. They remain like a young flower bud: tight and closed.
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However, it’s important to realize that not every Old Soul has a working connection with the Soul. After undergoing a process of spiritual awakening, it is common to become so absorbed in the suffering of the world and other personal issues, that a connection to the Soul is “lost.” While the Old Soul may be aware of a profoundly divine presence within them and existence, they are not able to sustain a connection with it. This experience is known as The Dark Night of the Soul.
Old Souls and Inner Work
Instinctually, Old Souls know that life is one great spiritual journey towards inner Wholeness. As a result, most Old Souls spend their lives seeking that which will bring them true self-fulfillment or self-actualization.
The most vital practice to incorporate into your life as an Old Soul, and indeed as any person, is inner work.
Inner work is the practice of working to reconnect with your Soul – it is not limited to any particular religious or spiritual doctrine but embraces all paths.
Essentially, any practice which helps you to become conscious of the eternal and unchanging presence within you that is your Soul is helpful. We have dedicated this website to helping you explore various techniques and sacred inner work practices out there that aid soulful maturing. You can read more about Inner work here.
Illuminated Souls
Once an Old Soul has learned how to reconnect with and embody the Soul, they enter a new level of spiritual advancement. We refer to this level as the Illuminated Soul stage.
Illuminated Souls are awakened beings who have been freed from the dualistic mind that is at the root of all suffering (read more about the mind and ego for more understanding). Common Illuminated Souls that we know of include figures such as the Buddha, Basho, Krishnamurti, Meher Baba, Mahavira, Gangaji, Eckhart Tolle, Mooji, Unmani, and many others.
You can read more about Illuminated Souls in my Old Souls book.
Old Soul FAQ
Here are some common questions people ask about Old Souls:
There are many approaches to discovering the age of your soul – it all depends on your personal beliefs and preferences. One way to discover the age of your soul is through a deep guided visualization where you seek out your core essence. You could use imagery such as ascending to the heavens, descending into a deep tunnel and finding ‘the light,’ or moving through a labyrinth toward the center where your Soul resides. Other methods include mirror work, soul gazing (with another person), dream work, meditation, and using plant medicines. However, the question must be asked, why do you want to discover your soul’s age? How will it ultimately help you? And how can you know for sure that you’ve found the right answer? These are important questions to explore as they will help you to use your time and energy wisely.
Old Souls are relatively rare and compose a small percentage of the world’s population. Some speculate that Old Souls compose around 10% of the world’s population. However, this number is not exact or proven. Regardless of that fact, Old Souls are not common in today’s society.
An Old Soul is a person who feels much older than their age reflects. This feeling is often accompanied by the gift of empathy, high intelligence, intuition, and keen insight into the human condition.
Pay attention to the following signs:
1. You have a preference for solitude
2. You’re sensitive and empathic
3. You have a profound understanding of human nature
4. You have the ability to deeply introspect
5. You tend to experience a lot of psychological tiredness
6. You’re disinterested in worldly achievements or status
7. You have an inclination towards spirituality
8. You have a mystical approach to life
9. You thirst for truth and wisdom
Go Deeper
If you’d like to explore the topic of being an old soul more in-depth, see my Old Soul Bundle.
You get a full-length ebook (212 pages) and digital journal (48 pages) to help you increase self-awareness, self-understanding, and the integration of your Soul’s wisdom.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I greatly enjoyed reading this book, it’s definitely worth it and I can’t wait to read it again and explore it more depth. – Sara
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This explains so much of why I have always felt like an outsider, I never fit in. – Shelley
***
What makes one person wise beyond their years, and another, young at heart?
What makes one person awaken to the desire for spiritual fulfillment and self-love, and another person to the desire to content themselves with material gain and social status? The answer is the age (or level of development) of their Soul.
If you’re an Old Soul, you will likely feel alienated in society, but you’ll also be able to live a truly unique and meaningful life. There are blessings and curses that accompany this way of being, but most of all, I hope you know that you’re not alone and there are others like you.
Are you an old soul? I’d love to hear your stories below.
We also have an Old Soul Test which you might wish to take.
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Thank You very much for this great article!.
I can relate to every part you wrote,and It definitely helped me identify my self somehow, in time of need.
I wonder if the so called “Old Souls” are possibly “Supra Humans”, in other words; the Humans that are a step ahead of the others on the evolutionary ladder?. Just a thought I have on my mind that I would like to hear Your take on.
Thanks again,
Odey Tayem
Hello there Odey. I’m pleased to hear that this article was of help to you! I do believe that there is some kind of involutionary process happening slowly within humanity – or, in other words, some kind of inner evolution taking place, where we are gradually, as a whole, learning from our mistakes. If you believe in cellular memory, then it could be said that we are benefiting from the lessons learnt from our ancestors, and thus we are becoming wiser as a result. Interesting thought! I think the theory is quite valid and could be quite possible.
There’s also the possibility that old souls are the ones who have learned from past mistakes and that, as a whole, humanity repeats things over and over without learning. There is a lot of evidence to suggest civilizations have risen and fallen for much longer than written history (and some of us feel it, if that’s the right phrase). Humanity commits the same acts, horrible or wonderful, as if we’ve never done them before!
Involution and evolution may well be two sides of the same coin. Evolution creates more complex forms, allowing for more action and sensory data, and involution offers an opportunity for such complex forms as humans to understand their potential. Just like with evolution, it’s difficult to ignore the possibility of “dead ends”. It may be the some of us cannot learn more than what we already know, for whatever reason, and the pains and pleasures of life easily keep most folks grounded.
I don’t know of you are aware of Bhavacakra, or the Buddhist Wheel of Life.
It is my own experience also that humanity and history as a collective seem to go through this cycle where the same joys and miseries are experienced over and over again. It is only those who cultivate understanding of themselves, through this life and many past lives that have developed the maturity to become aware of this cycle and choose to break out of it. Psychology also supports this idea with the school of Transactional Analysis, in which we are broken down into three possible selves (Parent, Adult and Child) and it is only those with a well developed child who are capable of making mature unbiased decisions by either of the other two influencing selves.
Involution is our attempt to create a universal language, a system in which to cultivate understanding of ourselves and if not in this lifetime, in future ones accomplish a much better well and whole-y developed human beings.
Thank you for a great comment!
Fascinating read! One of my friends sent me the link, probably for a reason. I’ve heard the “old soul” thing before, but I was always wary of new age related stuff–for better or worse, ideas like “old souls” are part of that culture.
I have journals going back a looooong ways and some early stuff (around 9 years old) is very odd; even reading it today, it’s difficult to understand it came from a child’s mind. The penmanship clearly gives it away, though. There are questions in there about feeling out of place, something missing, wanting to understand why we exist at all, and so forth. Fast forward two-plus decades, journeys through various faiths, mountains of books, and a lot of introspection (meditation and chemical-induced) and I’m still asking the questions.
Most of the time it’s not places that stand out, it’s the way things are. People mistreating one another, focusing on themselves or the latest trend, technology, politics, government abuse, lack of vision, and so many other issues that feel tired… the nine millionth lap around the wheel for that poor hamster. I have the nagging question in my head: “Is this the best we’ve managed to do?” Stated just like that, echoing in my consciousness. Drives me nuts.
I have found only three others in my life that share these traits, so it is (if not rare) very unusual. If souls can be old, it seems reasonable there are shades of grey between young and old. I’ve met some folks who have flashes of that “old soul” thing, wanting periods of isolation or pursuing knowledge, and then wading back into the shark-infested mainstream.
I’ve noticed a great many comments (and even the article) are generally positive. I’ve seen this a lot with discussion of “old souls”, life, etc and have to wonder why I rarely see a darker side. My experiences and the feeling of being weary have bred cynicism more so than optimism, but I understand both. Generally, I loathe being around people for more than a brief spell, and groups constitute psychological torture.
I’ve chewed up enough space! Thanks for the article and thanks for reading this!
Hello mentored1, thanks for sharing a piece of your mind here. I find your comment about cynicism and people quite interesting. Not many people mention their feelings towards other people here, and it’s a valuable thread of discussion. As the Old Soul tends to be somewhat of a hermit, or loner by nature, it’s understandable that they would approach social interactions in such a way. I first learnt about the Old Soul from Sol, who felt like an old man trapped in a young body ever since he was little. He too finds social interactions dull, usually uninspiring, and many times painful (and I second this. I much prefer to read, write or research. Conversations and small talk are usually shallow to me, a waste of time). When you come to see through people, and understand their motivations, desires, preconceptions and emotional reactions, hearing their opinions and gossip becomes very irritating, very much of a bore. For instance, when someone begins a conversation with me, talking about how they were unfairly treated by such and such, and how much of a bad person the person is, and how they’ve known it all along, I feel like leaving at once. It’s hard for me to refrain from pointing out that perhaps the person had a bad day, or a million other reasons why they were treated badly, perhaps they were demanding too much, perhaps they approached the person at the wrong time, and how once single circumstance doesn’t justify the person as being 100% bad, and how limited and destructive a perception that is. Personally, listening to people tires me, and I’ll often prefer to jump over a fence or hide in a closet to avoid conversation. It’s not that I’m misanthropic, it’s just that I prefer to be alone. Perhaps you can understand this? Perhaps this is what you mean?
Thank you for the reply, Luna.
Yes, you put it a bit more eloquently than I, but that’s pretty much it. It’s not that difficult for me to understand how things link together and figure out why someone is the way they are or why they do the things they do. Knowing that makes it almost impossible to engage in any meaningful conversation, save for the few folks I’ve met that perhaps are old souls.
There seems to be a lot to discover inwardly and very little in this world that captures my interest–save maybe for the night sky and pristine natural places.
I often hear the voice of Sean Connery from Indiana Jones and the Holy Grail, when they’re in Germany, and he comments, “We’re pilgrims in an unholy land.” People fail to grasp that the temporal things that are so important to them will fade, along with them, in a very short time–ask the Pharoahs!
I wish I could say it was a feeling toward others, but maybe it’s a lack of feeling. Perhaps rightly called apathy toward the mundane concerns and objects; nothing is gained from such pursuits and any immediate gratification fades, only to be replaced with more needs that can never be completely satisfied.
So I am a cynic and generally unpleasant company because I point these things out without equivocation, and people always despise or fear things they don’t understand. Every once in a while, someone responds in a way that lets you know they know, too.
Pleasure speaking with you, m’lady.
I have always had the feeling that I carry a great deal of the past along with me. Not my personal past, but more like past lives or in a generational sense.
I identify with things, and places especially, that have history and people that have real stories. Nothing suits me better than to hang out with someone’s granny and listen to their banter. An older person’s presence alone is very comforting to me. To be in a home full of long life… I can get lost in that ambience.
What I’ve found as the years have passed, now I am 32, is that I have almost always been surrounded by the “old soul” type of people. I didn’t always recognise it.
My father, a serious loner, has this personality type. I actually have made several long lasting connections with the “old soul” types. And now my daughter, 12, is exhibiting these traits. Really, she has been for a while.
There is some sort of quiet, interconnectedness among us. We are more numerous I’m sure, than you might imagine.
This call to find a deeper part of ones soul seems to have an underlying current in society as of late. And in reading this article I am lead to wonder if some sort of movement or awakening is beginning (or progressing) in which people might look toward these intuitive, naturally wiser souled individuals for some greater change.
Just a thought.
Be well.
I have been watching the awakening progress as well, and I find it to be exciting times.
It is easy to feel that Old Souls are rare individuals to find, but they are around more so than we think though they are difficult to meet due to their love for solitude or dislike for many popular activities amongst our peers. But I recognize other Old Souls, it is almost as if we can sense each other and who we are.
In listening to older people share their stories, its almost as if you become entrapped with the energy they transmit in reliving these moments. Currently I find myself in Spain, and there are many old places here and ones that I saw in Italy which I felt were familiar, that felt like home which I havent felt back at home in Australia, understandably because it is a fairly new country.
Thank you for sharing such wonderful insights, I am glad to find others who understand many of these feelings that we all seem to share even when spread so far and wide from each other.
The internet may be yet another instrument to bring us together and aid us in the progression of our slowly awakening movement.
Sol
I came across this page by chance. By chance I mean I was not googling it.
This article felt like warm tea on a rainy day, in other words, just what I needed.
I’ve been questioning why I feel so out of sync with people my age, even some people older!
(I am 20yro as of this comment).
I hold beliefs of an age I did not grow up with. I have no interest in loud nights, parties, booze, and hang overs.
Even when it comes to love and relationships, I find I feel things on different level than most.
Reading this page helped me understand my constant isolation and inability to relate to others.
I feel inspired to embrace the older side of myself and just roll with it.
Be a cool little 20yro Grandpa. haha
When I think about it my mind feels like warm honey.
Thanks for such a wonderful article.
Bless
I once thought about getting a tattoo that read “Worlds Coolest Grandpa” as I thought it would be smart to get something that didnt look stupid in 50 years :).
Often you stumble upon the most enlightening things by pure chance…perhaps cause we are all stuck in our set ways and habits. Thats why for example libraries are much better at discovering new books than google is. You stumble through the aisles and find interesting titles that it more difficult on the internet, as you must initiate a starting point, you have to have a search term in mind (which already has limited what you will discover).
To find out a bit more of who you are is one of the warmest more fulfilling experiences in life, and I can see you agree with me Keanu. It is like lighting a candle in a dark room…you tripped and bumped into all these different things and now you can see them, you know what they are and why they are there, its a beautiful Aha! moment.
Thank you for sharing your great experience Keanu!
Sol
Boy do I how that feels. I’ve never been called and old soul that I can remember, but my mother did say once that I was 18 going on 45, so I’m sure its similar. And as long as I can remember I loved to consider the other stories at play in the world, and around 20 or so I came to realize the interconnected nature of things, from people to the natural world, to our manmade one, to beyond this planet and perhaps this plane of existence.
I never had any fun drinking or parties or all the superficial things people my age seem to enjoy, and that never jives with most, even my own mother. She always questioned why I never went out to spend time with people my own age. And interacting with people my age or younger is often a chore, but then again it could just be the age group.
What I’m discovering only now at 26 is that I crave that sort of connection with other human beings, that I want to reach a level of intimacy and understanding and love, even platonic love, with someone, that it almost makes me physically ache that I can’t find it anywhere. I reach out on the internet, because I don’t hope to stumble upon it out in the world (I don’t get out much) but then its difficult because my offer of connection is interpreted as something purely sexual and so instead of finding something interesting and pure, I wade through the dregs in an effort to reach some sort of understanding.
This really describes me to a tee. I’m a 20-year-old college student, and I must say college hasn’t been what I’d imagined it to be. I’d went in thinking people would be more mature than high school and I’d find more like-minded people. Then I entered in and realized I basically enjoy NOTHING the rest of my peers find entertaining. Due to this, I feel alone constantly since none of my peers understand my thinking, worries, demeanor, etc.
I also made friends with the teachers ALL THE TIME. They were always my friends from elementary school up until even high school’s end. I even organized one of my old teacher’s filing cabinets for her during our activity periods because I really didn’t talk to other kids in my class.
I dont think people vary much throughout their life when it comes to maturity Jessica :). Ive seen many people who even in their 70s still behave and pursue similar stimulation or fun driven activities ignoring the long term consequences of these.
Psychologically through military experiments they found that most men for instance dont evolve past the age of 13. Sure they accumulate experiences, new intellectual knowledge and they adopt the adequate etiquette someone their age must adopt (like wearing suits, or clothes that reflects their age) but their core, their perception of the world is much the same.
Old souls start off with pursuit of intellectual aspects, they find the maturity for instance that their teachers offer much more interesting than their peers fun seeking sides. But as they grow older, Old Souls will outgrow their knowledge seeking and begin to seek something more spiritual as well, of more substance and depth. Often this is what drives them into artistic pursuits which they find very fulfilling in a spiritual way.
Anyways, thank you for sharing your experience, Im glad you found our site helpful :)
Sol
Well, I’ve always felt seperate from the rest of the crowd, I used to think that maybe I was an ‘old soul’, but it turned out that I’m just Schizoid. I was so happy to find out I was ‘normal’ (albeit it a normal schizoid!) – I really wouldn’t want to be any other way (well, 99% of the time).
Whatever it is we discover about ourselves in life, its always an eye opener and a relief to know the origins of many of the unusual things we do. It might be an interesting article to write about in the future James, schizoid´s present a unique aspect of the solitude seekers life.
Thank you for commenting!
Sol
I am absolutely amazed at how well this describes me! I’m 23 years old, and in a process of learning more about myself than I ever have before. Everything people told me about myself years ago is just now beginning to make sense. I’ve been told I am an old soul many times, yet I still didn’t understand why I was so different from others. Why did I choose to take my lunch to the class room and eat with my teacher rather than sit with my peers? Why have I found myself seeking relationships with women anywhere from 10 to 20+ years older than me? Why do I find myself uninterested in the affairs of mainstream society? Why do I feel ALONE? It’s really beginning to make sense! It brings me great joy to finally feel like I’m making progress in this quest to find myself. With each passing day, I feel more content with who I am as a person… Perhaps I even like who I am?
I’m looking forward to continuing to discover new things about myself.
Im so happy you come so far in your spiritual journey Kyle and I cant wait to hear what other new things you find out about yourself.
Its truly a life changing experience when you find out all these different aspects of your life are interconnected into something greater. Often we think of them as separate from each other, but when you see the bigger picture, how they connect and why, you realize it works like an organism, where one function of being an old soul relies on the other to work well.
It also provides a starting point for future discoveries because in order to know where you are going in life, you first have to figure out where you are.
Great stuff :), thank you for sharing your experience!
Sol
I am so alone. So is every human being, whether they recognize it or not. Life itself is a solitary path, and in the end, we depart this plane of existence by ourselves. Most of us are fortunate enough to rarely be plagued by this thought; however, the old soul carries it with them in every waking moment. I am alone, and that is all right with me.
I understand that you feel alone, I get it. But I have discovered that we are not alone, you are not alone, I am not alone. We are all one, we are all connected. Something I recently discovered. :-)
I’ve recently discovered this too and I know read your comment for a reason. I’d love to talk. My email is lukehalasz@me.com
Much love,
Luke
Hello Brook!
It is great that you have come to accept your solitude and aloneness. It is true, at the beginning of our journey we are all alone. The spiritual journey is one that you have to awaken to by yourself, with your own will, your own deep burning desire to find something deeper and more significant in life. As you progress through the journey, you realize that you arent as alone as you though (as our other two lovely readers have experienced and pointed out). But the first step is to accept that you are alone, and be comfortable with it. Once that happens you create the space that will welcome other discoveries along the way, which someone who is constantly worrying and frustrated with their loneliness will easily overlook. :)
Thank you for sharing your beautiful discovery!
Sol
As a teen,I am having a tough time. I’ve had crushes on girls but they simply ignore because they think I am a hardcore loner whereas I am just more mature,please help if you can.
Rohan, your struggle is one that I often faced myself in high school. It is hard to change an established perception others may have of you, especially if they arent of your soul age.
I would advise you to try and befriend one of these girls slowly. Maybe leaving her messages, anything that might avoid revealing your identity until you have caught her interest. Females deep down, also seek acceptance by their peers and when they know someone is interested in them, it will raise their curiosity to find out who it is which gives you a chance to let them know the real you and bypassing that loner label they might associate with you.
Let me know how it goes :)
Sol
This article is great.Just what I look like.
As a child I’ve had many instances which made me an old soul.Gradually as a student I found most of my peers really childish,and out of 60 students I only had 8 to 10 as my friends.I am more mature in the thinking process,think a lot.
It gets better.
As Carma greatly pointed out, as you get older, you physical body begins reflecting your soulful one.
The internet can be a really helpful tool in finding people you feel are of your maturity level without judging you based on your physical youth that often happens with first impressions. :)
Sol