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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I”ve been called an Old and Evolved soul several times. Am 30 physical years old now….I know that this life and world is fleeting and rather surreal.
I’ve never heard of the phrase “Evolved Soul” – something to look into!
Thank you for reading Julia. :)
-Luna
This might strike you as ‘random’ ;) maybe it is. Just have a feeling about it.
I’m 29. Never believed in God until age 28 when I had… what a call an extremely, incredibly – no words for it really – ‘spiritual awakening’.
Whatever is out there hit me over the head. Hard.
I had been agnostic. Started seeing what I now call signs. It’s like people were… channeling something. It made me literally insane. The point here is, one of my professors at the time ‘channeled’ something. I think. Part of the ‘insanity’ was actually believing I might be the reincarnation of the Virgin Mary (!) seriously.
Anyway. I also seriously considered – feared – that I was the second coming of Jesus Christ. Not really shocking they locked me up for a bit. Ha? Numbers started meaning things in a way they hadn’t before. Apparently Jesus started his ministry – like, you could call it he ‘came awake’. At age 28. My age at the time. I started having intense fear of the number 33. Allegedly the year he died.
I emailed this professor (quite random – he is brilliant, but not exactly the ‘warm and fuzzy’ type by a long shot). I told him what I was afraid of.
Have you heard this song? I sent it to him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NJqUN9TClM
I’ll never forget what he said to me. He said:
‘Oh, I think we all have long lives ahead of us.’
I think he was correct. I’m crying as I write this. Fear of death is – terrifying. It’s terrifying.
It’s terrifying if you truly love life. I do now. Thank. God.
Also very important !!!!!
You gotta laugh in life. And ‘at’ the notion of death… right? ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCpjgl2baLs
I am only thirteen, so I suppose I could be called an old soul, but I’m a bit too old for it.. Ironically. I don’t have any friends, my teachers talk to me like equals, and I write books. I am terrified of not knowing… Well, not knowing the things I should, is what I mean by that. Every item you put forth in your list agrees with me, so, I will go by an “Old Soul”. My mom and a few others think I’m too mature for my age, and have already nicknamed me that, so the transition shouldn’t be hard.
I understand what you mean Olivia. Many Old Souls are past the point of self-identification and identity building, as they are already pretty well established in who they are, so do not need further labels. However, for some, identifying as an Old Soul is a source of comfort and justification.
Many thanks for sharing these experiences from your life here!
-Luna
I don’t know how to say this. Whether I’m an ‘old soul’ or not – my life has consistently been about hammering in humility. It’s get untethered, start to float, it’s ego… then pulling myself back. It’s tricky. Takes a lot of work and intuition to find just where the line is between ‘I honor myself’ (yes – important!!!) and ‘I am living through ego’ (not good. you’re hurting yourself mostly. but probably others too.)
Ego is a trap. But here are the facts. My father called me an old soul from the time I was maybe four. We watched ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ together. It finished, I turned to him and said ‘Dad, they were just jealous.’ To me it seemed obvious and still does. But apparently it’s not the sort of thing all four year olds say.
I’ve always lived on… I guess you could call it a fence. There were (are) equal parts this-is-what-is-I-must-work-with-it … but also this-is-what-could-be-make-it-happen. I was pulled to the latter. It’s like I knew full well from early on, around age four, I was different. Very different. But I wouldn’t let myself know it fully. That would interfere with engaging in the first part. Guess you’d call it the material world.
My attitude is – we LIVE here. How can we not try? How can we give up on it? If you feel these things the only way to make sense of it is to believe we are here for a reason. That we CHOSE it. I believe I chose it. I know that sometimes I regret it. And then I come back to myself. Who I am is a person who chooses to love life, and others. No matter what.
So I catered a bit. Adjusted. Had just one meaningful friend throughout middle school, then high school, who I spent a lot of time with. There were casual friendships with any number of people from different walks of life. But if you just do that – just stay eclectic in your social life – you’ll lose credibility. People will think it’s weird. There’s a productive way to be perceived as weird, and a far less productive one. And many other ways that fall somewhere on that spectrum.
I buried myself in relationships. Partly because one person was manageable, regardless of whether the relationship was ‘healthy’ or ‘good for me’. I felt I was doing some good and serving some purpose just being in their lives – and it’s another effective way to cloak ‘weirdness’. People think ‘Oh, she’s with her boyfriend all the time. It’s not that she’s asocial, antisocial. She’s just hung up on the guy.’
I learned tricks. I learned to become a chameleon. That’s probably why it took me 28 years to have an incredibly intense – what I call ‘spiritual awakening’ – and (re)discover who I am. It… didn’t feel safe to be who I am before that. I wouldn’t have been as effective. Timing is everything. I think timing is God.
Things started flowing. Things started clicking. It was terrifying and wonderful all at the same time. Pain stopped being pain because it stopped being that deadweight cloudy confusion. It’s very much pain – but it’s REAL. It’s worth it. You feel it teaching you. You feel it opening you up. You are 100% confident at (almost) every second going through it THERE IS A REASON FOR THIS and I will know it someday soon, and be incredibly grateful.
And there is joy. There is joy and peace and love the likes of which cannot be captured in words. I love words. Language is my gift and calling. But words just don’t suffice here. That might be part of the point. If I had to sum it up, I’d say: Roses.
I think I suppressed me til I was ready. It was awful. Now that’s the pain I never want to and never will live again. It’s walking dead. Clouds. Dreams, but they’re nightmares. Fog. You don’t know what’s real, and you’re too tired somehow to figure it out.
But I think it was strategic. I think it was bizarrely – it was bizarrely a conscious choice I made, around age four, to become unconscious. To live that way until it was the right time to wake up.
Waking up could not have been more terrifying, or more beautiful. Again, there aren’t words. What I will say is from what little I’ve read about this ‘old soul’ concept – I do not buy the stuff about ‘simply be’. I buy it up to a point. You have to feel at peace and centered, you have to know true joy within yourself, the kind that mostly can’t be shaken or taken away, in order to give it to others. But to the extent we are here to help or improve others’ lives, and not just our own (and I 100% FULLY believe that is what we are here for – otherwise why hang around? makes no sense) –
You can’t give up.
You can’t detach.
You can’t get cynical.
You can’t decide you’re not human, and try or start to act that way.
While we’re on earth we are human. It is a blessing and a gift. It hurts horribly sometimes. Just awfully. Excruciating. But embracing that bit is called BEING ALIVE. Why are we here except to be alive? For me – being alive means connecting with others. It means sharing, loving, growing, learning, trusting, feeling… and feeling the entire spectrum of ‘good’ and ‘bad’, joy and pain.
It takes courage and strength. Willpower. There were several nights last year when – well, I died. One night in particular. An L.A. hotel bed. Angeleno. I writhed and sobbed and begged and kicked and even screamed a little. That’s not like me.
My ego was dying. That’s how you come alive. I happen to think anyone can do it, regardless of where you might ‘classify’ them in ‘soul evolution’, whatever terms you’d want to use.
What I have always tapped into, felt, and known deep down is the extent of the power of the human mind. We are… again, no words. Self-fulfilling prophecy is the closest I can come to this thing. Each of us – every single one – has vast, truly unspeakable untapped potential. There are 100 billion neurons in each and every human brain. I happen to think it’s a matter of which ones are firing, and where. It’s what makes us different from one another. It’s also what unites. Some people encourage more neurons to fire, and in more places.
Those that don’t – those that don’t we can inspire to do it.
I think that’s what we’re here to do.
And I don’t know if anyone knows what ‘claircognizance’ is – but maybe look it up. It’s one of the things that started happening last year and I still find myself feeling in the twilight zone when it happens, even though it happens all the time. Like I almost can’t believe it. It’s kind of like intuition on steroids. Also this ’empath’ thing. It’s beyond extreme with me. I can feel vibes from about a mile away (hundreds of thousands of miles via internet chats). Learning to manage that’s been tough. It’s like this ‘magic’ that’s so incredibly real and wonderful and points you in the right direction in the material world so much of the time… it’s also potentially dangerous. It’s kind of ‘not of this world’. Not at this point in time, anyway. So you can’t just chase it, give in, and disconnect from this one. Part of that is (I believe) it’s not right. But part of it is – face facts. We’re here. Work with what’s in front of you, use that ‘magic’ to make it better, to inspire people… but don’t decide whatever that is out there is all that exists. It’s silly, and can be dangerous. I think that’s what happens to many, many people who end up institutionalized in mental hospitals.
I like your practical approach Jessica. It is tempting to escape from life, to avoid what is happening here and now, but at the end of the day we are still human beings (although some of us seriously question it).
I do believe that it is possible for any person from any walk of life, or soul age, to have an awakening. Only 5 years ago I believed in a God and Devil, a heaven and hell, and that people would burn there for eternity. Only 5 years ago did I believe that the Bible was the only truth, and that ‘outsiders’ and ‘non-believers’ should be approached with caution. I was very much primitive and limited in my way of approaching the world (some would consider this to be the characteristics of Baby Souls). However, after a series of events (very serendipitous, even synchronous), I slowly began to wake up. Life shook me and slapped me in the face. The beauty is, I believe this can happen to anyone.
I like your perception of mental illness: the inability (or refusal) to look beyond the physical, material world. It’s a sort of neuroticism, a hidden ailment of the mind. I think I will look into this further!
Many thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences here, they are greatly valued.
-Luna
Luna – you might like this. I lived it.
http://www.jaysongaddis.com/2010/11/the-shamanic-view-of-mental-illness/
Thanks for the share Jessica :) This topic particularly interests me as I have come in contact with a lot of extreme mental illness recently. The difference of cultural perceptions towards these kinds of people is astounding and intriguing. I also recall seeing a documentary on such a topic (which I haven’t yet watched!)
I so enjoy pouring over these wonderful descriptions of myself…I identify 99%!
That is excellent to hear! Thank you Teresa :).
-Luna
After reading this article and many of the comments, I feel reassured that there are people out there who I can identify with and who understand me. I have had people telling me I’m an old soul since I was very young (according to my mum, the nurses commented on me being an old soul as a baby in the hospital). Being seventeen, it can be quite alienating to have this complicated thought process which the article defined accurately as ‘seeing the bigger picture.’ I see the world from the perspective of a detached observer, where everything everyone does is futile and insignificant- although I have accepted this reality and learnt to live in the moment and make the best of what I have, and so by no means am I depressed. My friends all go out and search for cheap hookups and meaningless sex all the time, and nobody can accept or understand that what I want is something more authentic than that. It’s great to see that there are people out there who see the world and society from the same perspective as I do.
It is alienating Zac, especially at your age, but it is encouraging to hear that you have made the best of your situation in life. I really respect that, as it is indeed a wise decision. It can be tempting to fall into self-pity, but that path leads nowhere.
Please feel free to join the Old Soul Facebook group we have created (if you haven’t already!) You might be able to connect to someone local there!
-Luna
I just read ur article and it strangely identifies my personality now and when I was a teenager I always felt out of place socially, even now as a young adult I dont socially hangout with people my age, but I strangely feel more comfortable around people that are twice my age and older, thanks for the article, I know Im not the only one now
It’s wonderful to hear that you don’t feel so alone anymore Sean. I’m glad my article could help you with this aspect of your life. :)
-Luna
I have had quite a lot of people tell me that I am an old soul since I was young I have took interest in more the history of origins of species of animals amongst a lot of other things I was called wierd for or bullied for at school I always befriended teachers and isolated myself from classes, I am always the first to put my hand out go even the worst of people and give them advice even if I haven’t met the person but know of them an example is “through the roughest tides keep your chin above the water and swim strong eventually every current will turn calm or you will find calm seas, I have felt a presence since I was younger in every place I have lived I have had wierd expiriences with paranornal and all sorts I have lived all over this country and since I was 16 I have lived in hostels, friends sofas etc all over ghe country I can be sentimental with certain objects from people in the past but I’m not materialistic and money is of no value to me I go for walks for hours at a time with music in my ears water and food I have found myself walking with a bottle of water over 14 miles then when I reached the point I started from I looked over the distance I traveled and thought this to myself ” life is like the bottle of water you have in your hand if you drink it all at once you will have nothing left, dehydrate and not feel too well by the end of your journey but if you ration out your sips make them small and value what little you have then you will reach the end and be fine maybe even with some to spare ” when I talk to anyone about things like this I’m never understood. I think I am an extremely old soul in 26 now and what I have gone through in this lifetime alone if it was the first time I went through so many catastrophic events I believe that there is no way I would of looked let alone found any hope to keep pushing through . If there is anyone on the same level reading this I would really like to hear from you . Thankyou guys – nelson
Hello Nelson. Thank you for reading and sharing your experiences here.
“Through the roughest tides keep your chin above the water and swim strong eventually every current will turn calm or you will find calm seas” – I love this observation. :) Believe me, many people have come here feeling as though they can’t relate to anyone, and have discovered, to their delight, that they finally can. Please take a look at the Old Soul group that Sol and I created at this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/imanoldsoul/ Many like-minded people who identify as Old Souls gather here regularly to talk about their thoughts and share their experiences and advice. I think you would be a wonderful addition to this community!
I’m really happy to hear that this article could impact your life so positively.
The very best to you,
-Luna
Very interesting. I too love solitude. I have had the unique experience of having embalmed my
own mother. Full autopsy. I was pretty much shit-faced when doing it. The experience is now
8 years past and I’m still assessing the impact of that endevore on my soul. I know that I am an
old soul. Being an old soul is not a free ride. It might be the hardest ride of all of them. We can
only hope that there is something wonderful after we transcend this material experience. I know that there is more than this. Hopefully I’m not blowing smoke up my own ass. I have seen
things and have my own truths that speak to my heart. When this body takes it’s last breath, if
that is all that there is, then so be it. I can say that I’ve lived life to its fullest and experienced
the highs and the lows. I trust in a higher power.
M. Kendall Hauton
I AM am an ‘old soul’. I have seen flashes of past-lives, usually not dissimilar to short films/videos, except that, all too frequently, I experience other sensory input, as well… such as feeling the warmth of the sun, and the smells carried in the air (for example).
I am seeking a connection with other like-minded people… but specifically, geographically near me (37862)… almost as if something/one is, or has, programmed it… or… like I’m magnetically being drawn.
Additionally, I seem to sense that my crossover-point for/of this life is near, yet I’m… perhaps, not so strangely, almost looking forward to it… like, I’m ready to go back home to the omniverse.
Thoughts like that, make me feel like a dumptruck… ready to dump its’ load, take a rest, then go fill up again.
~So much for sobriety~
PS~ I would ‘like’ you… but I don’t do the ‘what’s hip this week’ trendy sh!t, like facebook. (Remember ‘My Space???) (Bah!)
Hello there Morbius.
What an interesting comment – I’m especially intrigued by your mention of having past-life flashes, and sensory input experiences. I too experience sensory input experience, with smells, temperature changes, wind, rain and so forth. It’s difficult to experience, but certain places, times and environments take me back to something before I was here in this age.
If you have Facebook.com, feel free to like us there: https://www.facebook.com/LonerWolf :)
I wonder if you also have unusual dreams? Many people who identify as Old Souls seem to experience somewhat revelatory unconscious experiences at night.
-Luna
I’m 16 and i am inevitably an old soul… Its very difficult to find someone i can relate too especially in this day and age and i often get random dreams that are definitely not from now but also are more like memory’s than dreams. Strange but true as much as it is nice to be an old soul it is also very isolating and that is sad.
As a teenage, Old Souls feel especially prone to depression and feelings of isolation. However, there is hope Charlie-May. As you can see, there are many people out there who share your feelings. Getting involved in groups, such as the ones on Meetup.com for your local area, will help you to meet other like-minded people.
-Luna
I have been told that I’m a very mature, adult person for my age all my life, and have always thought I was an old soul. Reading this article, all my own thoughts were put into words perfectly. Thank you for your extremely interesting and inspiring website! :)
Many thanks for your kind comment Estelle. I’m delighted that this article could have such a strong impact on you. :)
-Luna