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 matured 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.
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.
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:
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 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. There is so much in life to stop, appreciate, and reflect on.
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.
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:
Old Souls: Mystics and Sages eBook:
Are you solitary, thoughtful, and intuitive? Have you always felt like an outsider on this planet? If so, you may be an Old Soul – and you're not alone. Discover more about your rare gifts!
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.
I fit it all except that I feel young inside (I’m almost 60) andwas broughtup to believe that I always would. Everything else fits!
Two strange thing occurred recently (within the last 3 years) involving me, that also involved children. Those situations were consistent with what I have heard from people I have known, and not known. These people would remark, “you are an old soul”. I was never sure if it was a complement, neutral statement, or a demonstration of the persons ability to see into me. I do not believe I ever responded, but continued on in conversation. Kate, my wife, we have been married over 41 years, was always a little freaked out by it.
I will now continue with my original premise. I am 65 (human years) old. This is my last incarnation in this cycle. I should be excited I suppose, however, I have steadily had my ass kicked by the reality around me. Some of it I bring on, some is a gift I suppose. I am remarkably immature. That immaturity has, for all of my years, driven people to distraction, including Kate. I am naive, I believe I know everything, even in the face of not understanding anything, and I do not follow rules that I consider idiotic. That frustrates folks the most. This tangential lead in will stop, I promise. I do not have friends outside of my family at this point. I am comfortable with that. I am a pleasant person, sometimes found to be arrogant by others.
Three years ago, Kate wanted a desk. She found a gigantic, I was astounded, black desk, reeking of importance. It was used, so we took the pickup to complete the transaction. The home was large and modern, the young people we were purchasing the desk from appeared to be affluent, and quite nice. They had two children, I would guesstimate that they were three moving onto four. They looked as if they were twins, I worked with children for years, and Kate has given birth twice, both good boys, so I am comfortable with my speculation here.
I walked up to this home, dressed in blue jeans and sleeveless t-shirt, I do not wear any other type of clothing, other that an overcoat if needed, I have not tolerance for heat. I have long dark hair, with some gray, and always wear a baseball style cap, with sun glasses. I am sensitive to light. As soon as those two little boys laid eyes on me, they went bananas. They shouted very loudly, “it’s an old man, it’s an old man. Look it, look it, it’s an old man. They were laughing, holding their hands in the air, and dancing in circles. Their parents looked somewhat abashed. They tried to calm their boys, but they would not stop until they were done. After that they watched me, or rather observed me, noting how strong I was, and I am, regardless of my thin frame. Every adult in the room, some older than I, looked dumbfounded. I was wearing a large smile, that is not unusual, as I was tickled by their behavior, and I love children.
Recently I was in a very large store. The kind that has crummy stuff, and a lot of it. I was getting groceries. I have a route through the store that minimizes the time spent in said place. I have long legs and walk fast. As I was cruising a main isle, a young male spotted me. He appeared to be latency aged. He looked at me, and his eyes were as saucers. He started shouting, “dad, dad, it’s and old man. Dad! It’s an old man, he went on an on, till I was past, moving fast, smile plastered on my face.
What I enjoyed in regard to these two occasions; was that they were both witnessed by others. So many times in life the odd experiences that occur are solitary, and I may begin to doubt them myself, even though they are wonderful things, sometimes a little frightening.
That is my little story, I hope it was more enjoyable than tedious. I am smiling, and I must admit, giggling.
I’ve just woken up from a dream that had a message from a spiritual lady telling me that I’m an old soul. She gave me a number 65, I’m not sure if that’s my old soul age or what. She explained why I’m such a loner and always struggling with connecting with people socially. She also mentioned that I’m spiritually connected. It’s 04:00 in morning in South Africa, I’ve just googled old soul which directed me to this enlightening page. Thank you for putting things into perspective.
Ah! how refreshing
Old soul here, and how comforting to see this reality reflected onto intellectual understanding.
Twenty-two years of age, with the heart and thought in another.
na-mas-te
Celso
They say that having a birthday on November 11th are old souls, but I am childish, I hate reading paper books(idk why though?) and I enjoy making animations, art,(btw i could hold a marker since I was 2 years old) sculpting ,writing on wattpad(ikr xD) making music, listening to music and playing some video games.(btw I remember almost every dream I have once I dreamt of sitting in my room then looking out the window and I saw a cat head in clouds and as soon as I took my phone to record it or smthing it turned its head towards me and there was kind of like a trumpet sound.here’s the video I made of that dream(btw i edited that picture)https://youtu.be/JNk6R5J9pHo) I was born on November 11th 2005 time: 00:55. I live in Serbia and i have 22q11.I had 3 surgeries 1:heart surgery when I was 6 months old(they closed 3 holes on my heart,one closed by itself and i still have one hole) and other 2 surgerys aren’t really that worth. Also I ask a lot of questions. Like a lot- even to myself. I enjoy being alone in my room. I really like exploring caves and nature when there’s no people around(I’m anxious when being around people but when I’m with my family I’m a totally a different person- trust me) my best friend is my cousin i don’t really have friends in school. I’m probably the shyest person there. Also recently im bored by everything like literally everything- I think its cuz I thought of ,,even if life has meaning it still doesn’t”. lol I’m probably the only 14 year old here-
Edit: +animals love me,
once I when my mom and I were at my godmothers house (I think on her birthday or smthing) her cat that doesn’t really enjoy human company around her. Her cat came to me and I petted her and then she climbed on my lap and i was still petting her and she was asleep on my lap for an hour or more. I was really confused.
Hi! I have just been reading your comment and I also have 22q11.2 deletion syndrome!! I haven’t had any surgeries tho I’m very luck according to my doctors I’m 17 years old from North West England Cheshire, I’m also an old soul too :)
well, you’re luckier than me xD I had a dangerous heart surgery when I was 6 months old they closed 3 holes on my heart and I had 2 more but one closed by itself and I still have one xd ( i had 5 holes and if i didnt go to the surgery i wouldnt survive till my 4th year of life xd))btw I have one kidney)and also I’m not an old soul I think Idk xd
Edit; oh ups I already told that x’D
Hi I am replying to Kor the young person who had surgery and is experiencing isolation. My concern is that you may suffering from grief and loss after having spent a lot of time in hospital for surgery. Your experience is different from your peers and has seperated you from your school peer group who have not had such high life stress events in their lives. Please try to get some counselling from an adolecent trained psychologist who can support you to re-engage in life even if it is with other young people who have faced such life changing experiences due to facing medical issues. I think you might be hurting and are sad, lost and lonely. This is normal after what you have gone through. However I do not feel that this makes you an old soul just a young person who might feel like an outsider. In contrast an old soul is grounded and wise and has a deep perspective on life, they love nature and are connected to the world, they values of compassion and have insight, patience and understanding. You are precious and part of the universe’s creation, what has occured in your life has set you on a different path, it has sensitised you to life . Many creative people like writers and artists as well as spiritual seekers may start their journey due to these challenging life events as you have described. My concern is that you are experiencing feelings of being disenfranchised, not belonging and feelings of mild depression that make you feel disengaged and apart which is different from being an old soul. What you need is some hope, love and support and understanding from family, a recovery group or a specialised psychologist who understands the trauma of being a young person who has faced and is facing some medical/health and life issues. You are a vulneralbe soul and deserve support and understanding until you have grieved and adjusted and find a new path and special friends who care.
I am really glad I came across this article. I am most definitely an old soul. As a young child I believed I was an angel of rose colored light and my purpose was to share that light. I started having preminitions about the age of 5. Around 11 thats when I started seeing the death of loved ones. Around 16, I had a demonic dream that left rope burn marks on my wrist and ankles.. it was then that I shut myself off completely…. but it also when depression set in. I married a narcissist man… I went from 17 to 30 with very little dreams. A couple of preminitions where I was able to help friends in the middle of the night. But very little of the light that once my everything. I’ve had nearly 30 surgeries, maybe 70 near death experiences..mostly from them turning my pacemaker off, some.from choking or drowning, being resusitated from csections, and one was a close call when I got struck by lightning while driving…my life has pretty abnormal. It’s only been sense I left my ex-husband 7yrs ago that my dreams have come back. I am not in a spiritual awakening, but a reawakening. I am back to dreaming regularly, communing with my ancestors and past lives, though some I feel are one in the same.
I am currently working on starting an ecovillage, much of it is bc of my dreams. And I am finally back on track and what I feel is and has been my destiny.
Admittly I am rather ignorant when it comes to my experiences. I know they are my own, but I haven’t really read much about it or if there are even others like me. It’s only now that I take much of it serious. And that is bc I am now witnessing what I thought were nightmares.
I would love to share my visions. That is the one part that I have struggled with. I am already an outsider. I have only shared them with a handful of ppl that i trust and while I know some visions are meant to be shared..I have been selfish. Mostly out of fear that I will be deemed insane, bc frankly even I dont believe my experience. And how does one share what they know to be real, if you yourself have a hard time believing?
Oh my…this article describes my personality to a T (with the exception of #8 – I had a normal childhood). Since the age of 14, I have always known that I was an “outsider” and felt an ineffable strangeness about myself. I suffer from what some may call “world weariness”, a kind of existential tiredness – I’ve seen it all before! I love spending time in nature and I lament the degradation and destruction of the natural world, which seems to be happening at an alarming pace. I yearn for a simple life in a pre-industrial idyllic land – perhaps that is why I love the writings of J RR Tolkien so much! I dream of living in a hobbit hole in a land far away from the troubles of this “post-industrial” world. I don’t have many friends and I don’t like people much, they remind me of flocks of sea-gulls, gossiping and fighting over scraps of meaningless stuff. I have a few good friends, old souls like myself, who enjoy the simple pleasures of life – reading a book, a walk in nature, or gazing into the night’s sky, transfixed in wide-eyed wonder. My only wish is to find a companion, another old soul just like me, so that I might feel a little less lonely in this vast universe.
One of my favourite quotes: “Only two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former” Albert Einstein
Hi Ollie, Have a feeling a lot of us old souls have similar dreams. I’d love to live in a Yurt by a lake with a small garden. Not so interested in materialistic possessions.Recent realization. Going through a spiritual awakening that started last June. I would like for us to become friends. Find me on IG Punch_Buggy_No_Punch_Back
I’ve been struggling with ‘unfair’ since I was a kid. I’m not going to beat around the bush because it isn’t something I’ve ever seen the point of doing. I’ve been growing slowly since I popped out. The last couple of years has seen me grow(if that is the word), out of any pair of shoes available, anywhere. I’ve been living in Australia for around seventeen years, and the injustices put on society by the powers to be in the past couple of years has seen me raging. The virus has made me realise why I am here. I found out I am an Indigo Child last Wednesday. Don’t mistake these words. I’m thinking more along the lines of, I am The Indigo Child, rather than an Indigo Child. Please excuse the tiny profanity about to come up. I don’t know how yet, but I’m about to rip the Australian Government a new asshole. I rage 24/7 when I see what is going on. I’ve been raging on Facebook about the injustices they put on us, but people are blind. Heads in the sand. I questioned their RDT (road side drug test) maybe 18 months ago. Not because I condone drugs in anyway, but because people are being persecuted because of human nature. Believe you me, a storm is coming, and it is called Paul Russell. I’m going to rip this F Government to pieces with, nothing other than what is basically right and wrong. I don’t need files or folders. It is logic and common sense. Nothing else is needed. I’ve been travelling on my own since birth, not knowing why I was here. Now I do. If you are a bully, and take advantage of situations, and bully people just because you can, this is a very bad time for you to be on this planet. I am going to restore balance, or die trying.
After I went through my Spiritual awakening and DNOTS things started to make more sense. I always felt “off” and unbalanced. It only took me 50 some years to come to the realization I am an old soul. lol
Going through the spiritual awakening gave me also a new purpose in life. And this is what it is all about I think. I am a born educator and love sharing with others and help others to find their purpose in life and understanding their process of awakening. Awareness opens the gates to transformation.
Being an “Old Soul” is just a word with which we should not identify ourselves too strongly. (Read “Why I am not a Lightworker” by Luna)
Use the knowledge to help yourself to understand where you come from and where you are now to find more inner understanding and balance. Use your personal growth to find your true purpose in life. This is where you will find true authentic happiness…
Thank you! ❤️
I think this is a very profound article. The only thing that doesn’t seem to resonate is with me personally is the desire for “worldly achievements or status.”
Before I had a sudden spiritual awakening, I had no desire for status or attention whatsoever, at least not since I gave up musical theater as a teenager. Then I received a spiritual “knowledge dump” (for lack of a better term) that made me understand all music on a deeper level than I’ve ever felt before. Now all I want is to write music that resonates with humanity and can help bring them optimism, but for me is seems empty without some level of recognition. It is as if being successful in this vein would somehow apply meaning to my existence. Perhaps I am writing now for the love of music and for self-exploration, but it also feels empty if no one is listening. I wonder if a lot of musicians feel this way. They want attention and status (because it gives them purpose and motivation, and the freedom to travel), but they also want to be left alone in peace, ironically.
I like this web site very much, Its a very nice berth to read and obtain info .
This really hit me. I can relate so much to everything in this article. I’m so glad I found your website! It has helped me so much! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and love
Dear Luna
Your poignant article has hit a tight, old valve and cracked a relief of pressure in me that made me cry. I am so happy and sad to know that I am not alone and my internal experience could be described with great details of accuracy. Thank you so much for your insights and acknowledgement. My next question is where do I go from here? While I now could understand my state, what do I do with this information? How can I reconcile the paradoxical truth?
When I was about 7 I was at home outdoors. An awareness came to me, which is this, the life I am living are the memories of an ancient woman. I told myself to never forget this. I will be 65 in a few months, and several times I have forgotten this awareness but it makes itself known to me again. I am am introvert and an highly sensitive person HSP such as Dr. Aron has spoken about in her book. As a child we lived on a beautiful rustic property in Sandy Oregon. Our house had an oddness to it like all the rooms had been added on to the original structure. This house faced a cliff, with a fantastic view of the Sandy river valley in the distance on the right was the majestic Mt. Hood. And this property was surrounded on the other 3 sides, dark damp woods with the scent of moss, rain, and wet stumps.
I had a very deep connection to the Doug Fir, Maple, Alder, apple, plumb, cherry trees and often I felt they were related to me. I used to talk to them and hug them. It was a joy to hunt for wild berries like huckleberries, black berries, thimble berries, salmon berries. My mother had passed away when I was 6, with 7 other siblings both older or younger than me, we are a collection of yours and mine and all of us were assigned a role, my assigned role was scapegoat although as a child I just didn’t know why I was rejected and different. But nature always accepted me. I have survived much trauma and tragedy through this lifetime and I have questioned the reason for life. I am not religious. But I am always searching.
Oh, I am an old soul indeed. When I read this article I was like “Yes, this is what it’s all about, thank you.” Then you asked how old are you inside and I range from being 7, 17, to 77 on a daily basis.
I am old man 62 but I feel like I am 10 000years old. It feels like I have experienced and seen through everything this planet can offer. I have experienced all 17 signs. You described it beautifully. Thank you. I have been an old soul since childhood. Never felt good in large social gatherings, always preferred one deep friend. Most of my life I have spend alone and silence and beauty of the nature was where I was getting energy to cope with this kind of existence. Truth was always the center of my life endeavor. Inevitably I have been through many existential crises, but also have learned to see beauty and enjoy silence.
Thank you for sharing here, John. I’m glad you have a word to describe your experience now ♥
Wow John! What does it feel like to be 10,000 years old? I am an old soul too but I can’t put a figure on my age.
Hello, have never commented on here before, however this article has described me more completely than anything I have ever read or seen. Wow, guess I am not so strange after all, how refreshing to know my solitude is normal . Have felt this way since I was a small child, being a teenager was especially difficult. Those around me were so immature, could barely tolerate it.
I will live the remainder of my life alone, I am sure of that but happy nonetheless.
Thank you for the validation!
So long as you embrace who you are, all is well ♥ Thanks for commenting Karine.
This topic has helped me to better understand myself, which I’ve been struggling with. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I’m happy to help Jenna ♥
… there seems to be a character limit. If I got it wrong, just delete my part II:
#13 I’ve been an opposite sex parent to both of my parents, a marriage counselor, a counselor to friends, … the hermit (named in the Celtic Wisdom Tarot “the counselor”) had been my favourite tarot card for a long time. I suffered lots of wounds from counseling at a very young age, that need healing.
#14 … one of my grandmothers was – more than anything else – like a sister to me. Also see #12. I suppose this counts as “company”. ;-)
#15 Simplicity is somewhat important to me. (Too long to describe).
#16 … hmmm. In many ways, this “vintage things” is a yes. I’m quite interested in the Victorian Age (see #2) because many of our current societal delusions (esp. concerning norms about familiy, relationship, sexuality) and maybe even solutions stem from there. In terms of religion the Celtic Church (Brigid, Aelred, Columcille, Hilda) has much to offer. Yet some post-modern branches of music, art, philosophy are also very valuable.
#17 “old inside” => see 14 and 12.
… the journey still feels to be quite long. However I’m glad I am able to travel. It’s not always been that way.
Thank you for breaking down how you relate to each one of these points, Daniel. Isn’t it a relief to know that there’s a word/concept/name out there that defines how we feel so clearly? :-)
Oh, well … let’s see.
I had the article in my (e)mail box and thought I wanted to share fragments of my story …
#1 Lone Wolf … in a way. I don’t like the metaphor too much, because fox and badger are much closer to me. Though I get what you wanna say anyway. Yeah, it’s true.
#2 “Knowledge/Wisdom/Truth”: Actually I’d rather read something about consciousness by John Henry Newman than having interest in celebrities’ relationships.
#3 Spirituality … is quite important to me. The Celtic shaman-saints … and rediscovering this tradition where so many different branches of spirituality (desert mothers, druids, …) form a junction is the prime path for me to follow. Daoist philosophy is also helpful – because it provides a different angle on things Christian mystics (esp. Carthusians) are aware of.
#4 Mortality. It’s kind of an issue and it is not. As a youth I internalised the aphorism by Epicurus “Why should I fear death? If I am, then death is not.
If Death is, then I am not.” Yet I am very well aware of tragedy, illness, aging, dying and loss.
Many of my (few) friends lost family members. Some more than one. Death is part of life and I hate that we have abandoned the mourning traditions of old. It would help and nurture to accept the transformation that death brings.
#5 … natural kind of shadow work. I suppose I’ve done that since childhood. Not always in helpful, productive ways … because some of it can’t be done all alone.
#6 Yeah … and yet seeing “the bigger picture” may cause pain (when non-attachment has not been learned properly) and detachment is always a risk.
#7 … I almost missed this. “Materialistic” in bold letters => uninteresting. ;-)
#8 … pretended somewhat successfully to not be a strange kid. As of today the term “heyoka” keeps returning to teach me something. I already realised that if I were Native American I could claim the term “two-spirit” because of multiple reasons. As I’m not, I’ve got to discern my own way.
#10 … I love the autumn winds howling around houses. In a way because it makes natures’ force visible of which we should consider ourselves be part of. I’ve found a piece of music that does represent that, while the lyrics (to whom I deeply related) may fit #9: Emperor – Depraved
Also: “Trees and stones will teach you what you cannot learn from masters.” – Bernard of Clairvaux
#11 Maybe you can already attribute that to me. :-D
#12 >> It’s one of the greatest joys of life to find fellow kindred spirits < see 14 and 12.
… the journey still feels to be quite long. However I’m glad I am able to travel. It’s not always been that way.