What is an "old soul", exactly?

[Alienated Being]

I looked up what an old soul was, but I never exactly figured it out. People around me tell me that I am just like an old man trapped in a 19 year old's body. Things I have noticed that could relate are...

1. I don't enjoy the whole "party life" that normal people my age do. Sitting around talking while having a couple of drinks is good enough for me.

2. I can connect easily with those my age, I have an easy time making friends... but I find it harder to maintain those friendships than I do with those of older people (in their late 20s).

3. I have a passion and see things deeper than most. When I find something I like, I stick to it.

4. I feel like I've been around alot longer than what I have. I suffered a life of pain and suffering (almost dying twice in hospital, being reduced to 30% lung capacity). Hell, even when I was a youngster the nurses mentioned "he's just like an old man".

5. My idea of a "good time" is sitting around a camp fire playing guitars, or fishing with friends. Or laughing with friends at a kitchen party.

I dunno exactly what an old soul means, but those are the only examples I could come up with that could possibly relate to the topic. I find it easy to separate my "old life" with my "modern life", but it is a lot easier to maintain the "old life" in comparison to this one. I don't have a lot of friends, about four or five good ones. Like I said, I'm a pretty well-known guy and I can get a long well with them... I just keep the good ones close.

Edited April 2, 2010 by Mr. DeYoung

[ohio state buckeyes]

I looked up what an old soul was, but I never exactly figured it out. People around me tell me that I am just like an old man trapped in a 19 year old's body. Things I have noticed that could relate are...

1. I don't enjoy the whole "party life" that normal people my age do. Sitting around talking while having a couple of drinks is good enough for me.

2. I can connect easily with those my age, I have an easy time making friends... but I find it harder to maintain those friendships than I do with those of older people (in their late 20s).

3. I have a passion and see things deeper than most. When I find something I like, I stick to it.

4. I feel like I've been around alot longer than what I have. I suffered a life of pain and suffering (almost dying twice in hospital, being reduced to 30% lung capacity). Hell, even when I was a youngster the nurses mentioned "he's just like an old man".

5. My idea of a "good time" is sitting around a camp fire playing guitars, or fishing with friends. Or laughing with friends at a kitchen party.

I dunno exactly what an old soul means, but those are the only examples I could come up with that could possibly relate to the topic. I find it easy to separate my "old life" with my "modern life", but it is a lot easier to maintain the "old life" in comparison to this one. I don't have a lot of friends, about four or five good ones.

Sometimes I feel like I have an old soul , to me its just a sense that you have been here before. I person that seems wise beyond their years I guess is how I would define it.

[Omnaka]

I looked up what an old soul was, but I never exactly figured it out. People around me tell me that I am just like an old man trapped in a 19 year old's body. Things I have noticed that could relate are...

1. I don't enjoy the whole "party life" that normal people my age do. Sitting around talking while having a couple of drinks is good enough for me.

2. I can connect easily with those my age, I have an easy time making friends... but I find it harder to maintain those friendships than I do with those of older people (in their late 20s).

3. I have a passion and see things deeper than most. When I find something I like, I stick to it.

4. I feel like I've been around alot longer than what I have. I suffered a life of pain and suffering (almost dying twice in hospital, being reduced to 30% lung capacity). Hell, even when I was a youngster the nurses mentioned "he's just like an old man".

5. My idea of a "good time" is sitting around a camp fire playing guitars, or fishing with friends. Or laughing with friends at a kitchen party.

I dunno exactly what an old soul means, but those are the only examples I could come up with that could possibly relate to the topic. I find it easy to separate my "old life" with my "modern life", but it is a lot easier to maintain the "old life" in comparison to this one. I don't have a lot of friends, about four or five good ones. Like I said, I'm a pretty well-known guy and I can get a long well with them... I just keep the good ones close.

You most likley are an old soul, or spirit.

Imo, this is a good thing.

Love Omnaka

[Scimitar]

I looked up what an old soul was, but I never exactly figured it out. People around me tell me that I am just like an old man trapped in a 19 year old's body. Things I have noticed that could relate are...

1. I don't enjoy the whole "party life" that normal people my age do. Sitting around talking while having a couple of drinks is good enough for me.

2. I can connect easily with those my age, I have an easy time making friends... but I find it harder to maintain those friendships than I do with those of older people (in their late 20s).

3. I have a passion and see things deeper than most. When I find something I like, I stick to it.

4. I feel like I've been around alot longer than what I have. I suffered a life of pain and suffering (almost dying twice in hospital, being reduced to 30% lung capacity). Hell, even when I was a youngster the nurses mentioned "he's just like an old man".

5. My idea of a "good time" is sitting around a camp fire playing guitars, or fishing with friends. Or laughing with friends at a kitchen party.

I dunno exactly what an old soul means, but those are the only examples I could come up with that could possibly relate to the topic. I find it easy to separate my "old life" with my "modern life", but it is a lot easier to maintain the "old life" in comparison to this one. I don't have a lot of friends, about four or five good ones. Like I said, I'm a pretty well-known guy and I can get a long well with them... I just keep the good ones close.

I can relate. Sometimes I feel like a 65 year old trapped in a 15 year old girl's body.

1. I like classic things, like cadillacs, tuxedos, cigars and leather chairs.

2.I don't like cell phones and hate texting or constantly communicating

3. I use terms like "Hot dog!" and then jump in the air and snap my feet together habitually.

4. My idea of a good time? Sitting in an old library sipping tea and writing notes on ancient leather bound books.

5. All my life I easily related to older people. I remember going to the doctor with my grandmother when I was around 8, and by the time she was finished I had a big circle of elderly patients sitting around me, conversing with me ( not pinching my cheeks or anything )

6. Sometimes I just sound like an old sea captain, period.

Edited April 2, 2010 by Scimitar

[Antimony]

As I understand it, having 'an old soul' means having been reincarnated many, many times.

It also implied that this automatically means being more wise & mature than most people. I think this notion is greatly oversimplifying the 'mechanisms' of reincarnation, but that would lead to a whole other theme.

Now, according to how MR. De Young is describing himself, it sounds more like the issue is that the people around you don't think you behave according to your age, e.g. act like an old man. That's not the same as being an old soul.

I think that teenagers are the victims of stereotypes like any other age group. Not every teenager wants nothing but party, is obsessed of the opposite sex, etc, etc. For most it is a very difficult, painful time.

Sometimes people also live different phases of life at different times than most other people. Yours truly for example was an extremely serious teenager. I partied more at thirty than I ever did at 18!

So, I wouldn't worry too much about people having silly teen stereotypes (probably can thank Hollywood for that too!).

Just be tru to yourself and you can't go far wrong.

[a vampire wears my boxers]

good evening mr. de young, ohio state buckeyes, and scimitar! its nearly midnight! time for metamucil cookies! then sams gonna come in and give ya'll the sponge bath! then we'll tuck ya'll in and turn the tv to wheel of fortune! welcome to Unexplained-Acres rest home. you gonna love it!

[Alienated Being]

I can relate. Sometimes I feel like a 65 year old trapped in a 15 year old girl's body.

1. I like classic things, like cadillacs, tuxedos, cigars and leather chairs.

2.I don't like cell phones and hate texting or constantly communicating

3. I use terms like "Hot dog!" and then jump in the air and snap my feet together habitually.

4. My idea of a good time? Sitting in an old library sipping tea and writing notes on ancient leather bound books.

5. All my life I easily related to older people. I remember going to the doctor with my grandmother when I was around 8, and by the time she was finished I had a big circle of elderly patients sitting around me, conversing with me ( not pinching my cheeks or anything )

6. Sometimes I just sound like an old sea captain, period.

I don't go to those extremes. I still enjoy texting and all of the modern luxuries of life, I just have the persona of an old man.

[digitalartist]

If you are deemed an old soul it means you are wise beyond your years. At least that's how I remember it.

[Belial]

You are what you are - not the doubled up make up of something/one else

[The Narcisse]

I have been told many times that I have an "old soul". The first that I can remember was when I was about 11. My aunt says that it's noticeable in peoples eyes. She says her brother had it(he died at the age of 11 or 12). I was even told this once by a "psychic" that was doing a reading.

I was told that having an "old soul" was a good thing in some ways, but that it usually meant that you would die young. I'm 28 now and have already faced many medical issues and came close to dying several times.

not sure if it means anything. maybe it's just a trait gained by people who suffer through such experiences at a young age?

[Alienated Being]

Well, if I remember correctly, I had polyps on my gall bladder back a few years ago and they had to take out the entire gall bladder to get rid of it. The docs said that such things were only found in patients in their 40s. Very weird.

[Indiogene]

I fit in the category of what makes an "old soul" and qualify to shown a less fickle, more mellow personality for my age group as a child, with intellect in a "garden variety" of subjects. I know to lived a few past lives before the one I presently have, but the important lesson on living/existing is to focus on the now and plan ahead for tomorrow, make your life a very good one to get your plans/goals accomplished.

[TheResearcher]

You all just sound like normal people to be frank. Many people are more mature than their peers when young, and equally many people are nostalgic about times before they were born. For example, I am a very 1790-1820 person. But it does not mean that I have to start believing in spirits, and reincarnation, to make it fit with the belief that I somehow lived during that era.

[Antimony]

I was told that having an "old soul" was a good thing in some ways, but that it usually meant that you would die young. I'm 28 now and have already faced many medical issues and came close to dying several times.

That is utter BS, trust me. Don't you believe that for one minute. The number of lives lived has nothing to do whatsoever with your life-span. We are here to experience what it means to be human, with everything it entails. Sometimes we die young, sometimes not, depends entirely on the experience you've agreed/decided to make.

Anyway, being an old soul just means having been around the block more often than others. Doesn't automatically make you wiser throughout.

Edited April 2, 2010 by Antimony

[Alienated Being]

That is utter BS, trust me. Don't you believe that for one minute. The number of lives lived has nothing to do whatsoever with your life-span. We are here to experience what it means to be human, with everything it entails. Sometimes we die young, sometimes not, depends entirely on the experience you've agreed/decided to make.

Anyway, being an old soul just means having been around the block more often than others. Doesn't automatically make you wiser throughout.

My experiences have definitely shaped me as an individual, taking life one step at a time. I had a rough experience with hospitals, being in and out nearly every three weeks as a youngster due to chest infections and whatever else. I came to appreciate the joys of life a lot more than others as a result of my past experiences. Hell, even walking outside and seeing the sun in the sky is a miracle to me.

[Antimony]

Yes. There's no doubt about it, suffering changes you profoundly.

[Psykonos]

I think the term 'Old soul' is a figure of speech describing people who act outside the stereotypical roles and do not have most of the social-prescribed interests that define a noticeable number of their biological age group.

From a more esoteric perspective it's said to be the result of someone who's undergone many thousands of years in incarnations.

Either way, I'm 20 and I am told I act like a 50 year old at times. But then again, I can act like a kid depending on the circumstance.

You're you. And, old soul or not, it changes nothing about you

[Grandpa Greenman]

In Pagan circles an old soul is a person who has been reincarnated many times and is most likely on their last one. They are wise beyond their years, but not in a way they are stuck up about it. They are generally peaceful and calm people. Their not really worried about worldly things.

[Mr Walker]

Lots of good advice here I just a\want to say tha tbeing an old soul(wise beyond your years) has many advantages. When i was very young the girls thought i was boring but by the time i was interested in them they thought i was mature and sensible, which apparently becomes an attraction to girls once they're about 18 plus.

Along with an old soul i was always young at heart which balanced nicely. I havent died young, and still act like a child a lot o f the time but i have always been more "wise" than my peers (according to their own comments.

I think the important thing is that, while achieving a balance in all things in your life, you recognise the potentials and talents within you and buld on them to achieve your full potential.

I think our childhood largely determines how old our soul feels. The traumatic events in your life would have shaped your values and perceptions.

The fact that i read from the age of 2, and was intereted in myself and everything around me, because i could read, helped shape me.

My parents valued human intelligence and did all they could to extend mine and to ensure i got a good education. Thus while i and a very full and creative childhood i already had an adult perspective on it while i was going through it.

Ps dark winds description apparently fits me as well, from wha t others observe, but i still tend to think it is a product of early socialisation rather than reincarnation..

Edited April 3, 2010 by Mr Walker

[HybridGS]

Its just a nice way of calling you 'boring'.

[greggK]

good evening mr. de young, ohio state buckeyes, and scimitar! its nearly midnight! time for metamucil cookies! then sams gonna come in and give ya'll the sponge bath! then we'll tuck ya'll in and turn the tv to wheel of fortune! welcome to Unexplained-Acres rest home. you gonna love it!