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
***
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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Though I can relate with most of these, #9 stands out to me the most. I was quite the odd child- with my parents and teachers encouraging me to enjoy my childhood and not be in such a hurry to grow up. At family gatherings- I would absorb adult conversations of religion and politics rather than playing with the cousins. In school I chose to befriend teachers over peers. Sorts, video games, and television bored me while exploring the arts enthralled me.
I remember in the 6th grade, the librarian forbid me from checking out any more classics and made me read a popular RL Stein book- Absolute torture. In the 1st grade, I gave up recesses to enter a creative writing competition.
On the negative side, I had a lawyer’s mentality. I could manipulate any situation to my favor, and I knew it. I had several notes being sent to my parents regarding my “manipulative” tendencies. I also felt very alone. I remember wishing I could find companionship, but I could not find interest in the trivial activities of my peers. When I did find times to be with others of my own age, they cringed at my “cynicism” and deep conversations of “I wonder why…”
Long & short, I think that having an “old soul” as a child would be challenging, but it is of utmost importance to foster that personality- NOT squelch it. I was lucky to have parents (for the most part- My dad really wanted a boy to play ball) and mentors who just go with it. My counselor was one such person. I was sent to him after college, when I landed myself in some trouble. When he asked me if I knew why I was there, I did not give him the superficial answer of my outright behavior. I gave him an explanation of my underlying cognitive breakdown. I explained how through my life, different hurts had given rise to maladaptive behaviors that eventually led to me getting in trouble. He asked me if I had been in counseling before. I told him, “No. I just think a lot.” He was the first to identify me as an old soul…
Josh, I could have said the same thing. I believe it must be common for many Old Souls to feel socially awkward and detached from the people around them. The amount of times people have cringed at my intense approach to life and conversations makes ME cringe as I write this. So it’s nice to read of someone else who has experienced the same thing.
Thanks for sharing with us your story :)
I do not have the same interests as lots of people my age. Even back in school I didn’t fit in because I liked everything from the classic eras and kids would always poke fun at me. I still love old music, old movies, and attach to people from the decades before mine. I don’t keep up with any of the latest trends… I have been going backwards in time since I was old enough to do so and keep discovering new and wonderful things! I’m a balance of introverted and extroverted. I can be out in public when the time calls for it, but I do enjoy being by myself too. I have to set days aside for me-time. I don’t even believe in the introvert/extrovert labels. I think people were created differently for a reason. We’re not all meant to be alike, that is one of the many things that makes life wonderful.
Carla, thanks for commenting :)
Interesting that you say that you feel as though you’ve gone backwards in time … personally I’m not that attracted to old music or movies, but it’s a fascinating difference! Either it seems like Old Souls are too old for their time, or too ahead of their time in the way they think.
How interesting would it be if by the age of 60 we regressed, and started becoming more child-like (Benjamin Button-esque)? I hope we all live to that age to find out :)
This post describes to a T! As a child, I was always the kid who preferred to go off by myself or just hang out with a couple close friends at recess. I also was one of those kids who was more entertained with the box that a toy came in than the actual toy itself. I’ve always felt this disconnect with people my age. I am able to make few connections with people who are willing to accept my odd, introverted ways. I’ve just never had a word or phrase that I could place on the way I was feeling towards society and my fellow peers. I would absolutely love to just be able to drop everything and go live in a cabin in the woods and just have my own garden and farm and such and only enter society when I was lacking an essential thing for existence. I am someone who is very set in her ways and when someone comes along and tries to disturb those ways in whatever way possible it raffles my feathers and I don’t like it, at all. I just want to be able to live my life as I see fit and not have people comment on it because they don’t ‘get it’ or ‘understand’. People don’t have to get or understand me… it’s not their place, the only person who needs to understand or get me is me. But being an old soul, people, especially those around my age (early 20s), don’t understand why I don’t enjoy going out and partying every weekend and they have to make sense of it. But I think I’ve finally come to a point in my life where I realize now that no matter how hard they try to make sense of me and who I am they probably never will and they need to understand and be okay with the fact they probably never will.
Tiffany, haha, I resonate with your comment about wanting to just go live in a cabin in the woods for the rest of your life. I’m not sure if you experience it, but sometimes I just sit down and think “why are these people so stupid!”, and I imagine escaping to a wood-cabin to live out the rest of my days, while the rest of the population ends of annihilating themselves. I know that this is fueled out of anger, but the urge is definitely there at times, the urge to escape.
Even though people your and my age don’t understand, it’s refreshing to know that one day this will all pass. Each problem that comes along soon passes, which is what helps me go through an Involutionary process of self-growth.
Thanks for sharing your story!
I
have been acquainted with the term old soul just recently and now as I try to search
for a deeper meaning of it, pretty much I am realizing that I am actually one. How
I am such a loner and enjoy it, I prefer to travel on my own, and for some
reason I feel more productive when I’m all alone. Not really into social
gathering, if ever I was, I’ll be a wallflower. How I think my brain has a mind
of its own, It just won’t stop. I’m an open minded person who is not fixated to
any principle; I love learning and exploring new ideas. I tend to be rebellious
but it is all just in my head, I will never ever put myself to any argument,
and always be the one to compromise. As
my brother told me, I am the kindest person he knows, to the extent that sometimes
I let people take advantage of me. I was never jealous, envious, or forceful,
my anger subsides easily, and sometimes I feel like I don’t feel any deep emotion
inside me, it feels empty. I sense a more significant companionship with people
older than me, I am actually 8 years
younger than my girlfriend, she’s a soul mate, the only person that I consider
a friend in a deepest level. On my last note, it seems there’s a huge likeness
between being an old soul and a hipster, don’t you think. I just hate
mainstream…
I sense a similar rebellious streak in myself, Paul Carby, so thanks for writing. Your desire to learn and explore, occasionally deviating from mainstream is a sign of intelligence, and at the most, wisdom. Society is a truly topsy-turvy place.
I’ve never considered the connection between the Old Soul and the hipster subculture – but it’s a fascinating thought! Personally, I couldn’t be bothered to join a subculture partly because I don’t have the energy for it, and partly because I’m a lone wolf by nature, just as you are. But for many people, I believe subcultures are a way of gaining acceptance and a level of validation for the feelings of “weirdness” they have inside.
haha, but the likeness between fashion sense could be there. Old in mind … old in fashion sense? Plausible.
:)
I have known for some time I’m an old soul. I am only 25 and at times I feel so low on soul energy that I could lay down and my soul would just dissipate away. It reaches a point where I have no energy for anything anymore and that I shouldn’t even be here! I can’t connect with others and I don’t really try anymore. I get labelled “lazy” all the time, but it’s like there isn’t enough if me left anymore to really do very much.
Does any one else suffer this
Fiona, thanks for writing.
Your comment has really generated some thought in me about Old Soul misconceptions. For instance, I can 100% relate to your comment about being perceived as “lazy”. Many times I lack mental and physical energy, and prefer sitting down and doing something calm and relaxed, like reading. I thought perhaps it was some kind of chronic fatigue disorder, but now I’m wondering whether it’s connected to the soul age of a person.
I’m not sure about you, but for my entire life I’ve been called a “granny” or “nanna”, with a few people close to me apprehensively wondering what I’ll be like when I actually get to an old age.
I’d love to question fellow Old Souls in the future about common misconceptions and stereotypes they come across.
I appreciate your comment – and no, you’re not alone.
I have always wondered why I can’t seem to connect with my peers. I was always trying to be interested in what my peers’ were obsessing about–but I just couldn’t (still can’t). I’m young, still in high school, yet I feel so tired to do anything. I may have lots of energy (physically-speaking), but I just want to sit around and write for the rest of my life. I always think about the world, how it works, why it’s like this, what happens if blah blah blah–and then I would ask myself, is this what fifteen year olds think about? Probably not. Besides my overthinking, I know that I am mentally and emotionally weak. I’ve learned through reading other articles that old souls are more prone to depression and our emotions are more fragile. I could totally relate to that. I also don’t like to argue, would rather have peace and compromises than war and violence. I think this is why I’m submissive to my family, although when it gets too much, I snap and flip out on them. I really hate it when I do that (which is why I resort to writing). Another thing I have realized about myself is that I’m not attached to my friends, no matter how long my friendships were established. I can be “best friends” with a person for three years, yet easily replace them with another. They can hurt me, they can leave me, but I just won’t be bothered. This has always scared me, because I keep doing it. My friends believe that our friendship is something special, but I know that once we move away from each other, our friendship will deteriorate. I think it’s sad, it brings some tears to my eyes, that I can’t connect with them. I still want to fit in, but it just feels really foreign. (Maybe I’m a misanthrope.)
Thank you very much for sharing this article! I’m pretty relieved to see other old souls out there. :)
Gee,
Your comment mirrors so much of the way I felt in high school, so I thank you for sharing this!
You’re certainly not a misanthrope. Many times I’ve experienced similar feelings, but in the end this is simply your ability to ‘see through things’, which causes you to feel tired, wary and detached. Couple that with deep thinking, and the seemingly senseless behavior that happens all around you every day, and it’s bound to make you feel tired and isolated!
Although being an Old Soul can be alienating, realize that you will avoid making a lot of the mistakes other people tend to make in their lives. And when you do find that special friend, which you will eventually, your bond will be strong and deep. Right now, in high school, you realize that your friendships are transient (which they are, most never survive after school).
If you continue to feel sad and isolated, you could always try joining an interest group (Old Souls tend to love reading, so you may find kindred souls in a book club somewhere).
My very best wishes!
Years ago I was in an accident that killed my husband and step-son…I have no stories of a life after death experience that I can remember..BUT I did come away with a greater sense of peace than I have ever known…AND these words were said to me..by whom I do not know….but after the accident I have repeated for years…I am an old soul and this is my last time around…this is nothing I would have ever thought about before…and I have never been a follower or even a believer in reincarnation…after using a search with the sentence I mention above, it lead me to many sights that are now making me look at things differently but leaves me with one nagging question…many who proclaim life after death experiences say that they were met by other family members…so do the souls of our families leave a permanent memory with us to comfort us…or do they temporarily leave where they are and come to us for a short period to help us through whatever transition we need? How are mediums able to speak to souls/spirits if they go on to another life?
Karen, thank you very much for sharing this.
In response to your question, I’ve never had an after death experience, so it’s hard to say whether family members temporarily come to visit us to support us. I would suggest taking a look at a few resources, like this website: http://www.psychic-experiences.com/psychic-articles/genuine-fraud-psychics.php Many psychics are charlatans, using a variety of complex psychological tactics to fool you into believing they have special powers (check out Derren Brown), others, like the famous Madam Blavatsky, have unexplainable gifts. I hope this was of some help.
Thank you for reading!
This article (including the comments) is so different and inspiring that I couldn’t resist to comment on it.
As a kid I had always been different than others. While they were running and screaming in the corridor in the breaks at school, I wrote my novel. All teachers said I was lost in my own world – although I never had any communication problems with my age group. I just didn’t share their interests, the TV shows they watched, the things they bought, the fashion they followed. However I’m not sure that all ‘old soul kids’ are different than others: according to the Michael teachings, all people re-manifest all previous soul ages in every incarnation, so all of us go through the infant / child / young etc. levels as far as our true soul age let’s us go. So a 5 year old may be somewhat wiser than other kids, but most of the child’s attitudes will still resonate with the baby soul level.
Now I’d like to respond to some of your statements in the comments section.
‘I constantly watch my friends talk about their
drunken nights and I wonder how anyone could ever have fun.’
Just could’ve written that myself! Never understood this attitude of life… and never took part in it. I don’t need alcohol or smoke – I just feel that I’ve had enough of these things although haven’t tried them in my current life. I thought for a long time I was alone with this perception, and even had real difficulties finding a partner.
About thinking about the big issues of life: that’s what I’m doing ALL the time, during traveling, eating, a boring job, sometimes I’m doing things automatically and just lost in my thoughts. Dealing with everyday life issues – such as making money for living, eating, shopping etc. are so boring for me, I feel tired… tired…. tired… doing all that stuff. I like working on projects that inspire me, such as designing websites and so on, but it’s only a creative passion, I couldn’t do it professionally, it would lose its allure to me.
Someone asked if an old soul could be childish… why not? Somewhere I’ve read that old souls are not childish but childlike. I share that too. Usually it’s me who makes fun of something at work, I don’t like people taking life sooo seriously. I always feel an urge to ease the situation, to make people laugh… to make them realize/realise what is important and what’s not for them.
It’s nice to see some similar views of life here, there are so few people around me sharing my feelings. Thank you for that.
Hi NoNameMatters.
It brings me great joy to hear that this article (and its comments) resonated with you. I notice that building a small community of like-minded people really enhances the confidence we have in ourselves.
Feeling tired – perhaps that’s another symptom of the Old Soul spirit? I too feel tired all the time, not only in mind, but in body as well (such that I’m referred to as “granny” a lot :) ) I think it’s a delightful thing to want to ease serious situations, after all, how much is anything going to matter in 2 years, or even 2 days time? I think it was an American Indian story that said that after death, the dead would look at the living and laugh at them for how seriously they take life.
Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts – they truly are valuable additions to this collective body of experience recorded in this page :)
I highly recommend the movie Perks of Being a Wallflower to the readers of this blog.
Great article Luna. It’s comforting to know that there are other INFJ’s out there. Am I an old soul. I would have to say yes. Left the world of religion about a year ago. Took awhile for me to land on my feet. I am comforted to know (feel) that life is an amazing gift. Recognized a long time ago the beauty that is nature. I am highly sensitive/intuitive…to the point where it is becoming spooky and I fully accept that we old souls covet our solitude and are at times sad. I am 44 yrs old and I am in the midst of a joyful but sometimes painful awakening. Nice to meet you Luna. Thank you for the article. The universe is smiling ;)
Thank you for your thoughtful comment Arcticmark. It’s comforting to know that there is someone with experiences so similar to my own, it’s quite uncanny! My very best wishes for your period of awakening. I admire your courageous decision to explore life with freedom, I personally found it an extremely emotional and tumultuous time (as I had to cut ties with my whole family who tried to inhibit and dissuade me). I’m so happy that you’ve managed to land on your feet. The feeling of being able to breathe again is truly invigorating. Thanks for reading :)