Knowing The Old Souls
A look at what it means to have an "Old Soul"

The Phrase "You Have An Old Soul"
Has someone told you that you have an old soul? Have you met someone that has an old soul? What does to have an old soul? Let's look at the phrase and what it means to say, "you have an old soul."
The phrase "you have an old soul" is an expression used to describe someone that doesn't fit with their peers of the same age. It describes someone with wisdom, maturity, and a deeper understanding of life that is beyond their years.
The suggestion is that a person with an old soul has a degree of expertise and perspective that is typically found in older individuals. The term soul is a metaphor in this case, referring to the making of a person, their core beliefs, and behavioral traits. These people are often thought to have been alive longer than their birthdays and are often confused as being older than they might appear.
Old souls are often described as thoughtful, contemplative, and possessing a sense of calm that distinguishes them from their peers. The age of the old soul is irrelevant. Thus, an old soul could refer to a young child, an adolescent, or an adult.
So, what are the characteristics of someone having an "old soul?" There are a few that set them apart from others.
1. Introspection: They have a need for introspection. People with old souls need to find the meaning and purpose of their experiences and relationships. They want to know why things are the way they are, usually in an attempt to better their situations.
2. Empathy and Compassion for others: Old souls tend to be very empathetic and highly compassionate people. They are more attuned to the emotions of those around them and freely offer support and understanding.
3. Appreciative of Simplicity: Old souls can find peace in even the simplest of pleasures and may have an inclination towards nature, art, literature, or classical forms of entertainment. They may not enjoy the revelry and crowds of wilder nights and exciting venues, but a day fishing with a friend would suit them just fine.
4. Independence: The older the soul the more independence they possess. They display self-reliance and independence, often comfortable as loners.
5. Deep Thinkers: They are philosophers by nature and are drawn into deep conversations about the world and debates about the state of things around them.
6. Disinteresting in Materialism: Older souls will be less concerned with material possessions. Instead, they'll focus on having and fostering meaningful experiences and connections with those in their circle.
Having the Old Soul Disposition
Where the old soul disposition comes from is a subject of speculation. For discussion purposes, it would be easy to see how it could be linked to "past-life" experiences or reincarnation. If you believe in these sorts of ideas, an old soul may carry the accumulated wisdom and experiences from previous lifetimes. That would lead one to possess a more profound understanding of life.
Psychologically, an old soul may be the result of your early life experiences or innate personality traits. Perhaps you grew up in a family with older relatives or had an older role model that you signified with more than others.
Or, you might find one that has an old soul who has been through more than others at the same stage in their lives. Having to face significant challenges or traumas at a young age could have an effect that forces one to grow or mature differently. Those early challenges and traumas, as harsh as they may have been, would lead to wisdom beyond one's years.
Old Souls
The idea of having an old soul brings an interesting combination of wisdom, maturity, and depth beyond a person's chronological years. The significant effects of people with old souls on the world are notable. They are there offering guidance, preserving traditions, and inspiring an appreciation for the meaningful parts of life.
Embrace these qualities if you have them, as they can lead to greater personal growth and a deeper understanding of the human experience.
About the Creator
Jason Ray Morton
Writing has become more important as I live with cancer. It's a therapy, it's an escape, and it's a way to do something lasting that hopefully leaves an impression.


Comments (5)
Hmm. Interesting read. We say it but don’t really think too much about what an “old soul” might mean or why one might have one!
People have sometimes referred to me as an old soul, which means it may simply stem from being autistic, lol. (In other words, I don't actually have an old soul. I'm pretty immature a lot of the time.) Very good article.
It takes one old soul to know another, and you have nailed it. From one old, mostly misunderstood by many, but mostly comfortable with myself old soul to another. I completely agree.
Terrific and informative!!! Well done, Jason!!! ❤️❤️💕
From one Old Soul to another: Kudos! 👏