On several occasions, I am convinced that I am a much older woman stuck in a 21 year old's body.

I love classical music, watching Downton Abbey, and cozying up with any Jane Austen novel. The fact of the matter is that I am an old soul. If you, like me, feel as though you are often trapped in the wrong era, I promise that you are not alone. Being an old soul is not a hindrance, but rather brings forth a different approach to life.

Although I do get made fun of for being a "mom" or a "grandma" sometimes, there is deeper meaning that comes along with being wise beyond your years. In my case, I'm not sure what to blame...the fact that I am the oldest in my family or the fact that I hung out with my Grammy so much when I was a kid, but that's besides the point. Rather, I prefer to approach being an old soul as something that was meant to be. It is my purpose, and it will guide me through life.

One part of being an old soul that has always stood out to me is that I find peace in my own solitude. No, this does not mean that I am a loner, but I sometimes just want to be on my own for an extended period of time. If anyone else understands this feeling, then they know that alone time is often the best time for the best thoughts.

Often times, as an old soul, I find it difficult to relate to the people around me. Even to the point of where I do not know some of the music that my sisters listen to...oops. When there is difficulty relating to certain common trends, I often assimilate into my surroundings, although it may not necessarily be what I am interested in. This is a true struggle of an old soul.

Rather than focusing on the struggles of an old soul, I want to focus on the positives. First, old souls often seek higher truth, and in this, we enjoy learning new things - no matter what they are. This is something that I have always enjoyed. As a result of this, old souls often have the ability to think in terms of big picture ideas. This is both a blessing and a curse.

Along with these positives, old souls are thoughtful. This is merely because all we do is think. We want to help those around us in any way we can, and the endless knowledge of the world keeps us going.

I love being an old soul. It may involve having a different perspective on life, but it is one that I embrace. Although being an old soul does make me feel "old" majority of the time, it is who I am, and I can't change it.