“I’m at least thirty years older than I really am. And it’s true, I’m an old soul. I’m not of this generation.”
-J. Raymond
One of the biggest struggles of being a millennial is not being able to relate to them. Growing up, I always knew my interests were far different than those of other kids my age. I spent most of my time obsessing over the music my parents listened to and watching sitcoms with my grandmother. To me, this was normal, but I was often told I was "wise beyond my years". It wasn't until I got older that I learned there were other people like me, and they called themselves "old souls". There's a certain kind of isolation to being an old soul. You automatically assume everyone doesn't know what you're talking about, and you learn to live with it. However, you gain a sense of self-security in being unique. Here's 10 signs you may be an old soul.
1. Most of your friends have never heard of your favorite movies, TV shows, or music.
Imagine you're the only one that has ever heard of Justin Bieber, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, or The Hunger Games; so whenever you talk about them to your friends, they have absolutely no idea what you are talking about and just give you a weird look. This is a daily occurrence for those of us with old souls. And yes, it does get annoying.
2. You get along well with people much older than you.
If going to hang with your grandma sounds more enticing than going to a house party, you might be an old soul. Old souls have an affinity for being around those who have lived through the eras we are fascinated with. Older people usually do not play into teenage drama, so it's comforting for an old soul to have someone who is as uninterested in immaturity as we are.
3. You were often told you were a weird kid.
When I was young, my Christmas list consisted of things like The Carol Burnett Show on DVD, every Dolly Parton album in existence, and a fiddle. Needless to say, I was referred to as an odd child, which is okay because I later found out that most old souls are considered to be weird kids. It's not that we're necessarily weird, but we just had different interests than other kids.
4. You have a fascination with the past.
Whether you have a thing for 1960s style or 80s movies, you have a fascination with a particular era of the past. No matter what lens you look through, things just seem so much better "back then".
5. You have an overwhelming need to give advice.
As old souls, we feel like we have experienced a lot more than our peers, even if that isn't actually the case. But to be fair, we give good advice, so don't be hesitant to take it.
6. Your alone time is extremely valuable.
As the iconic Audrey Hepburn once said, "I have to be alone very often. I'd be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night to Monday morning alone in my apartment. That's how I refuel". It's not that old souls are anti-social people, but we need to be able to escape other people often, so we can recharge.
7. You’ve always been ready to grow up.
Old souls are majorly independent and, as stated above, LOVE their alone time. Even though we've depended on our parents, we've always dreamed of having our own place and being completely independent and free.
8. You’ve often been told you’re the “Mom Friend”.
You're always the one to "tell it like it is". You always are checking on your friends and telling them when they're about to make stupid decisions. It's just what you do.
9. You’ve always wanted to be taken seriously.
In your relationships with friends, family, and significant others, you're a very literal person. You intend for everyone you come across to know you're serious about your aspirations.
10. You’re always on the lookout for other people like you.
When you FINALLY find a fellow old soul, it's the best feeling ever. Nine times out of 10, you and other fellow old souls become instant best friends because you finally have someone to talk about your favorite things with!
