If you’re an old soul, it is most likely something you’ve heard since you were quite young. I can remember my mom always saying “you’re wise beyond your years”. This is because I was forced to grow up quickly and my view of the world was shaped differently than most.

If you've experienced this, you know the following 10 things all too well:

1. You can’t stand the millennial culture we live in.

You’re always searching for something real and watching everyone treat others like they’re disposable drives you insane. Our current stance on relationships as a generation is nothing you want to be a part of. Taking the time to find a real connection with someone is what you ultimately seek. That’s a quality that you should never, ever let go of.

2. You’re spiritually driven.

You constantly seek the deeper meaning behind what is happening in your life. You’re very self-reflective, metacognitive and mindful of your inner thoughts and peace. This is probably one of the most important aspects of an old soul. To others that you may know, spirituality is last on the list of things to think about, and that’s okay.

3. You understand things well beyond your years.

If you’re an old soul, you’ve probably been hearing that since childhood. You have a sense for situations that may be beyond your years, and you can give insightful advice for situations that you may have not even experienced yet. This is a benefit of being an old soul because although you can connect with these types of situations, you can also understand and dissect simpler situations while staying calm, cool and collected.

4. You value deep connections and conversations.

There’s something about deep conversations that make you tick. Instead of surface, small talk, you prefer to talk about things that matter - life, the universe, and spirituality. These aren’t topics that you can discuss with just anyone, that’s why you and other old souls get along so well.

5. You tend to look at the larger picture

Instead of concerning yourself with first world problems and letting general pessimism get you down, you look at the bigger picture. You’re thankful for the life you’re given and you’re looking to live it to the fullest. Old souls realize how short our time here really is and that’s a genuine quality that not enough people have.

6. You have a sincere connection with nature

Being an old soul allows you to appreciate the beauty of the world around you. Being one with nature and realizing that the world is so much bigger than you and those that inhabit it is something not everyone does. Sometimes, you have to stand back and admire the beauty and let it fill your soul. This is a practice that an old soul appreciates.

7. You see things from other points of view

This is one of the best qualities of being an old soul. You can see things from various points of view. This makes sticky situations easier to deal with because even if someone else is in the wrong, you attempt to take the time to put yourself in their shoes and handle things rationally. Empathy is a lost quality and having this makes your life a little easier and your relationships a little more meaningful.

8. You feel fine spending time alone

Some people need to be constantly appeased by others company. Old souls value spending time alone and often enjoy it more than being with others. Being alone leaves you with your thoughts and allows you to reflect on your thoughts and the world around you.

9. You look for what connects people, places and things

Looking for connections between people, places and things is key in your life as an old soul. You look for what draws people to things, patterns in behavior and how people interact. These things become important to the way you understand and view the world around you. Take pride in this quality because observant people often understand much more than those who breeze through life. Sometimes it’s okay just to be the quiet one.

10. You connect on a deeper level with like-minded people

Old souls connect with other old souls. This is obvious for all the reasons listed above. We thrive when we’re in proximity with people who value the same things and think in the same way we do. Having this outlook on life is not something you come across often, but when you do, the connection you will have with a like-minded person is unsurpassable.