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» Home » Starting The Journey

17 Signs You’re An Old Soul Stuck in the 21st Century

by Aletheia Luna · Updated: Jun 13, 2025 · 1,053 Comments

old soul image

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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Spiritual Wanderer Course:

Being a lone wolf and a spiritual wanderer is a sacred calling in life – a unique and alchemical path of awakening. You don’t need to feel lost, alone, or stuck on your journey any more. It’s time to meet your soul’s deep needs for clarity, self-acceptance, and empowerment. Let us show you how …


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.

(If you’d like to go deeper into this topic, see my Old Souls Bundle for more support, insight, and guidance!)

Table of contents

  • What is an Old Soul?
  • 17 Signs You’re An Old Soul
  • Have You Experienced Spiritual Awakening as an Old Soul?
  • Old Souls and Inner Work
  • Illuminated Souls
  • Old Soul FAQ
  • Go Deeper

What is an Old Soul?

Image of an old soul woman in a forest holding an owl

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

old soul image

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:

get more guidance

Have You Experienced Spiritual Awakening as an Old Soul?

Spiritual awakening process signs symptoms image

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

Image of a person facing the sunlight

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

Image of a person reading a book in a circle of light in a dark forest

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:

How old is my soul?

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.

Are Old Souls rare?

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.

What is the definition of an old soul?

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.

How do you know if you are an old soul?

Pay attention to the following signs:
1. You have a preference for solitude
2. You’re sensitive and empathic
3. You have a profound understanding of human nature
4. You have the ability to deeply introspect
5. You tend to experience a lot of psychological tiredness
6. You’re disinterested in worldly achievements or status
7. You have an inclination towards spirituality
8. You have a mystical approach to life
9. You thirst for truth and wisdom

Go Deeper

Old Soul bundle image

If you’d like to explore the topic of being an old soul more in-depth, see my Old Soul Bundle.

You get a full-length ebook (212 pages) and digital journal (48 pages) to help you increase self-awareness, self-understanding, and the integration of your Soul’s wisdom.

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***

Dark Night of the Soul Test image

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.

If you need more help, we offer 3 powerful ways to guide you on your inner journey:

1. The Spiritual Wanderer Course: Feeling lost or uncertain about your path and purpose in life? Gain clarity and focus by learning about the five archetypes of awakening within you. Discover your deeper path and purpose using our in-depth psychospiritual map. Includes 3+ hours of audio-visual content, workbooks, meditations, and a premium test.

2. Shadow & Light Membership: Seeking ongoing support for your spiritual journey? Receive weekly intuitive guidance and learn to embrace your whole self, including your shadow side. Deepen your self-love and receive personal support from us.

3. Spiritual Awakening Bundle: Ready to soul search and dive deep? Access our complete "essentials" collection of beloved journals and eBooks. Includes five enlightening eBooks and seven guided journals, plus two special bonuses to further illuminate your path.

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About Aletheia Luna

Aletheia Luna is a prolific psychospiritual writer, author, educator, and intuitive guide whose work has touched the lives of millions worldwide. As a survivor of fundamentalist religious abuse, her mission is to help others find love, strength, and inner light in even the darkest places. She is the author of hundreds of popular articles, as well as numerous books and journals on the topics of Self-Love, Spiritual Awakening, and more. [Read More]

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  1. Rob says

    December 29, 2013 at 6:18 pm

    Interesting article… reminds me of those personality tests we all take at some point. We’re all the same when it comes down to it. No one is special, and we’re all gonna die.

    Reply
    • Aletheia says

      December 30, 2013 at 6:11 pm

      Precisely Rob. Although we feel strange and separate in our struggles from other people, sooner or later we learn that many share the same tribulations as us. Deep down, we’re all driven by the same desires: love, freedom and happiness. We’re not as special as we think, and it’s nice to know that other people accompany us in our strangeness! Thanks for reading.

      Reply
  2. Norine Krick says

    December 28, 2013 at 11:26 pm

    I totally dig this idea, but . . . who writes the first letters you guys or us? (above says, you guys, even so the email I got just said we write them.) What is the subject matter? Can we write about anything? I’m able to imagine this is usually a lot cheaper than therapy or medication for some individuals. Can we include images of our cats? How about recipes for vegan cupcakes? There can be a chance I may have interesting things to write about. What is the statistical probability that the reader will care? Great idea! You are all great. Please advise.

    Reply
    • Aletheia says

      December 30, 2013 at 6:14 pm

      Hi Norine. I’m not sure what you mean by “who writes the first letters”? If you’re referring to sharing your stories here, you are most welcome. Otherwise, please let me know. ;)

      Reply
  3. yonna says

    December 28, 2013 at 1:44 am

    this has been on my mind for a while. I’m only 14 years old and is 100% sure i have an old soul… i feel different compared to everyone else. Even my grandmother says i have an old soul. i dont know what to do about it, im pretty sure i cant. but i like being different, i feel stronger….but im also alone.. i dont like to hang out with my peers soo much its just boring to me.

    Reply
    • Aletheia says

      December 30, 2013 at 6:20 pm

      Yonna, thanks for dropping by. If you have an old soul, you quite simply have an old soul. There’s nothing much that you can do about it :). Considering your age, it will be difficult to come by others of your maturity level, which may create a sense of isolation throughout your youth. When I was younger, I benefited a lot from having an older person that I trusted to talk to, and to share my thoughts with (this reduces the isolation you are bound to feel).
      Thank you for reading!

      Reply
  4. Gregarious Monk says

    December 28, 2013 at 1:36 am

    Hello Luna, I did enjoy the post and I am glad that I caught it while floating around cyberspace!

    It’s been hard to say whether I am an old soul or not; descriptions seem to vary on this idea, and where some traits seem to fit, others are lost on me completely. I’ve grown up being a loner due to being ‘weird’ as others may put it, but I did (and still do somewhat) enjoy interacting with others since they are, fundamentally, no different from me. But when I was a kid, I had a lot of fire, so I didn’t mind interacting with kids my age. Although as childhood shifted into adolescence, I grew bitter at others for whatever reason; perceived slights against me, real insults towards me, and a general disdain for how stupid people seem to be. I did enjoy teachers more in high school, though I didn’t form deep relationships with any of them. I was still interested in friendships with my peers as well as romantic relationships. Yet I traveled between various groups before finally deciding that there was none of them I could relate to. I didn’t date in high school which is somewhat regretful, but I didn’t get locked into a marital mistake either which is a godsend. Rather, I decided that I would be better off spending time by myself, though it did cause much anger and resentment inside of me. Anger at myself for being who I am, and resentful at others for not showing compassion, sensitivity, and awareness towards myself and others. Of course, then, I hardly had any awareness of myself, as it is the trial of youth to come to terms with those things.

    As I got older, the anger subsided. I am currently 27 years old, and have two deep friendships with a couple of guys who, like me, are amazed at how other people simply don’t make ‘sense’ if there is such a thing. But rather than scold and criticize others for their lack of understanding, we opt to feel a strong sense of respect and love for their deeper, more human selves. There is still some anger and resentment towards why many can’t seem to get past the impermanace of career society and the self-proclaimed truth it brings. However, those trivalities bother me less now, and there is a sense of peace presiding, which I am grateful for. I still long for meaningful companionship from the opposite sex, but it is less of a desire now and has transformed towards love of the self. If it happens, it happens.

    It’s kind of a bizarre contradiction to consider yourself an ‘old anything’; it can be a sign of modest acceptance at deeper levels or an ego trip for the less evolved. Most people who claim to be old souls so proudly and without a moments hesitation, probably aren’t old souls. Therefore, I don’t claim to be an old soul, so I can avoid that confusion. Rather, it seems more beneficial to believe that we are all souls involved in infinite evolution with love as a guide. We never really stop growing, no matter how old our soul gets.

    And the soul can get so old, that it becomes young again. That’s an idea anyway haha.

    Thanks for the post!

    Reply
    • Aletheia says

      December 30, 2013 at 6:40 pm

      Gregarious Monk, many thanks for your comment and sharing some of your life with the community here.

      You make an important point in your comment; that we are all souls involved in an infinite evolution. Some, of course, have grown more in their Involution, some have grown less. This is perhaps why some have greater innate insight and understanding of life, while others have a very limited perception which contributes to the many problems they face in their lives. In part, I think this is where the notion of ‘Soul Ages’ originated from. Just like personality types, they help us understand and honour the differences in others that, if unaware, we often tend to misunderstand. So in one way, the Old Soul label helps fill the empty holes in the lives of various people who have always felt out-of-place. On the other hand, identifying as an Old Soul can be somewhat of an ego-trip, and used to boost ones regards of their thoughts, opinions and character traits. It’s not really for me to say whether those who quickly proclaim themselves to be Old Souls, are or are not. The excitement felt in the moment of discovering something that explains why you behave and think the way you do, is often enough for a person to jump on the explanation at hand. This is understandable, especially to the person who lacks some amount of self-acceptance and self-understanding in their lives. But we´re all at different levels on our paths, after all.

      Thank you once again for your comment. I hope to hear your thoughts some time again in the future! -L

      Reply
  5. Cab Stevens says

    December 26, 2013 at 5:44 pm

    I found this by accident, but by the end I was crying so deep. Th s hit me to the core and I really thought I was alone. I am 19 but i feel 100s of years old. I should not be able to even fathom what 100 years is like but I can’t deny the truth. I thought I was alone. Lately this has gotten me down. I feel lonely. I have friends but I really can’t relate. Just know this hit me in a place I’ve never quite felt. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Aletheia Luna says

      December 27, 2013 at 4:57 pm

      Thank you Cab, this comment means a lot to me. I never could fathom when first writing this article that many people would feel the same things I felt, and it brings me great joy to hear that this piece has managed to fill an empty hole in your life. It’s such a wonderful feeling to finally discover a group of people who seem to echo your deepest self so precisely – and I love hearing that you have experienced this finally! Once again, many thanks for commenting! -L

      Reply
  6. KID says

    December 26, 2013 at 2:41 am

    My destiny is to change the world. I’m 17, and you seem to understand this. Please help me.

    Reply
    • Aletheia Luna says

      December 27, 2013 at 4:54 pm

      KID, thanks for reaching out. Every person, in their own way, is destined to change the world. Some do this by small, kind acts of seeming insignificance, but which brighten the days of a few souls here and there. Others do this by grandiose displays of courage, innovation, and wisdom. The problem that often lies in wanting to change the world is that first, in order to make external change, we must make a significant internal change. This is what this blog refers to as the Involutionary path: one of a slow transformation of the mind, heart and soul through self-awareness, self-study, self-love and self-mastery. Once we overcome our illusions, emotional reactions, desires and limiting mindsets and behaviors, only then can we seek to make some kind of long-lasting, impacting difference in the lives of others. I recommend this article: https://lonerwolf.com/involution/ In essence, the more you grow to love fully and wholly yourself, the more you will be able to do sincere good for others. I hope this all makes sense. :) -L

      Reply
  7. Geddy says

    December 19, 2013 at 11:05 am

    The first 8 pretty much apply to me. The 9th, not so much. Rather than feeling old or not old, my entire perspective is different. I feel thousands of years old, but I consider that young in perspective to all that is living in this universe. So I feel older than everyone alive and at the same time I am only just opening my eyes to all that there is to see and know . . .

    Reply
    • Aletheia Luna says

      December 19, 2013 at 11:51 pm

      Geddy, I’ve spoken to quite a few people who describe themselves as ‘ancient’ souls rather than simply old souls. I address this in the book I’ve written (featured at the end of this article). Basically, it is thought that each soul age possesses 7 different levels to progress to the next. You, quite possibly, could inhabit the 5,6 or 7 stage of conscious progression, which may explain your feelings of being ancient. Thank you for reading! -L

      Reply
  8. Tasha says

    December 13, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    I think I’ve always believed myself an Old Soul.

    From the time I was conscious of the decision, I have been alone, and preferably so. I received many curious comments as a young child, because I did not feel the need to waste time running about with the others, or even finding friends really, I had what seemed to be, a morbid fascination with Life, Death and watching, rather than participating.

    My father would brag to anyone who would hear, what a smart, mature child I was. Eight years old, and rather than running wildly with my many siblings, I would curl up with anything from my collection of Holocaust books, or something off my mothers or fathers’ reading shelves of Stephen king, or J.K. Rowling.

    I don’t consider myself antisocial, I have a boyfriend, ambitions to be a mother, but I find most things, even some of the more tempting things I could be doing, as trivial. The only things I can find a sense of purpose, and solace in, are my own thoughts and my books.

    As soon as I could read, I decided I would rather learn as much as I could, and toss myself in the wonderful world of books, because while every other activity or event in my life was unimportant, books I felt, had more to offer me. I spend at least four hours of my everyday life, with my nose in a book. They seem to carry more significance than day to day life, because I for once, do not know what to except, and it can excite me, more than anything that could happen, or I could do in real life.

    I heard the term years ago, “Old soul”, reading about them in passing in a series I had picked up, and I just slipped into the title comfortably, and felt for once I understood just why I am, the way I am.

    I cannot say, that Death does not scare me, or that I am completely unattached, but I know that I am one small ripple in a wave of billions, and I know better than to aspire to break the surface, I merely go in the direction life pushes me, and remain unfazed by the daily clamor I can’t seem to associate with.

    I actually saw a therapist for a couple years, because my mother was worried I was dissociative, that maybe my straying from the norm, had something to do with an inability to feel things properly, worrying of depression. My father died when I was twelve and my therapist, with time, understood that while I was consciously aware, and felt things, I was “Just too well-adjusted” to grieve over him properly, completely accepting that while it was sad, and I would miss him, and days I would think about him, and wish he was there, he was gone, and crying over it wouldn’t make a difference.

    This ramble of course, is just my way of explaining that it is nice to confirm I am not the only one, on the outside looking in.

    This may be an morbid thought, but I wonder as life goes on, will we continue to feel more and more aged? I am only twenty, and the majority of my life, I have felt quite heavy-lidded, looking at life in the mindset of just wishing to close my eyes, and not reopen them. Don’t misunderstand, I am not depressed, nor suicidal, I am happy with my life, I have ambitions to make a difference where I can– I am studying to be a nurse actually- and my books give me an escape from even the burdened-with-existence feeling, but am I the only one who feels as if they carry a burden of all of their own thoughts and acquired knowledge? A weighty pressure that constricts your chest, droops your shoulders, and bows your head against the coming tomorrow?

    Reply
    • Mateo Sol says

      December 13, 2013 at 5:40 pm

      Dear Tesha!

      All the childhoods of Old Souls are plagued with amusing anecdotes and stories which I always love hearing about.

      Its funny how when people share an interest in death it is considered morbid when in fact its one of the most natural things. Its mostly fear that drives peoples attention away from death, turning death into this ritual where only good is spoken of the dead out of fear of encountering the wrath of the dead person, hence why graves are often built so far away from urban cities.

      Death is the climax of life, as soon as we are born weve already begun the slow process of death and I feel Old Souls are the few people out there that treat Death as a complimentary part of Life.

      The see too deep and too much is often an attribute found in many Old Souls depending on the depths of their Old Soul development and what level they are in. To these I often advise to begin looking into the Involution journey, as they have already innately begun it by feeling the trivialities and repetition of the Circle of Life, the identifying of their role as a cog in the autonomous socialized machinery and their desire to leave or withdraw from it. I will cover many methods of this Involutionary process in future articles.

      Just like a single cell is to our body, so are we to the organism of the universe. We are cells in a much larger organism that change and morph into different phases of life, Death is scary only to the extent life is, I like your attitude of going with the flow of where life carries you.

      Your feelings of existential weight and tiredness are common among some Old Souls. This is usually a sign of a Soul that is in search for its next level of development, it has reached it total potential in its current stage (there are 7 levels of Old Age within each Soul Age) and it is preparing for the next stage. To encourage this to happen, it takes an intensity of focus and passion in pursuit of something that will fulfill you entirely. What that is you will discover in your Self-Discovery stage of your Involutionary Journey.

      Thank you for sharing these beautiful anecdotes and stories that Im sure others will find they can identify with as well,

      :)

      Sol

      Reply
  9. Triston Thompson says

    December 12, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    I am a 14 year old in the present and I only like and think about things from the 1950’s, I only listen to music from the 50’s, I’d dress in a black suit if I could when I go places and all I think about is how great the 50’s was. I don’t get why I’m so into the 1950’s and am so willing to live in that time, my parents say I’m a old soul so I looked it up and I’m just wondering if I’m a old soul or something else

    Reply
    • Mateo Sol says

      December 13, 2013 at 5:19 pm

      Hey Triston!

      Its nice to see such young people embracing their old natures. Old Souls have many qualities, some of them being fixations with past eras of time that they feel attracted too.

      However, that sole quality doesnt mean your an Old Soul unless theres others that create a congruence to verify the possibility. You should look into the concepts of reincarnation and past lives, it can very well be that youve lived a past life in the 1950s and there are still traces present in you.

      Much warmth,

      Sol

      Reply
  10. vera harris says

    December 12, 2013 at 1:24 am

    I have always felt unique. Most of my life I didn’t fit in. My coworkers say I have book sense. I love books. I am just as happy alone as I am with real people. LOL. I am too serious at times. I like doing things with all ages. I love to learn. Sometimes I feel alone when I don’t have anything to do and no one is available to talk with me. I like people I can learn from. I am a jack of all trades and I apply my knowledge to any of my needs.

    Reply
    • Mateo Sol says

      December 13, 2013 at 5:15 pm

      Hey Vera!

      Im so happy to see all your Old Souls out there warming and welcoming this new sense of self you have discovered. Old Souls are necessarily all solitary by nature, often their solitude is the result of not having met people of their own soul age and therefore finding it hard to establish connections with others.

      Its often society that makes it difficult for people of different physical ages to befriend each other, Ive had many good friends in their 60s and 70s and its strange to outsiders who find 20 year olds should be only associating with other 20 year olds.

      Keep up your thirst for knowledge, but most importantly, strive for understanding of it. That is a quality of Old Souls that is distinguished from merely intellectuals, Old Souls absorb knowledge, assimilate it into their beings in their understanding which results in their Wisdom, they dont just memorize it.

      Thank you for sharing your experience :)

      Sol

      Reply
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