What it really means to be an 'old soul' 1

What it really means to be an 'old soul'

StarsInsider

Story by Stars Insider

 • 18h 4/01/ 2025

 

The idea of an 'old soul' is a romantic one, with some implying that perhaps a child has lived many lives before this one and thus doesn't appear their age. It's something often said as a compliment, but while it does have fascinating traits, it also has a dark side.

People called 'old souls' as children are increasingly found to experience mental health symptoms and other emotional distress as adults. There are studies finding that some 'old souls' are not born, but rather created, and oftentimes through trauma.

Intrigued? Then click through to find out what it really means to be an old soul.

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'늙은 영혼'이 된다는 것의 진정한 의미©셔터스톡

 

'늙은 영혼'에 대한 생각은 낭만적인 것으로, 어떤 사람들은 아마도 아이가 이 영혼 이전에 많은 삶을 살았기 때문에 나이가 아닌 것처럼 보일 수 있음을 암시합니다. 종종 칭찬으로 하는 말이지만, 매력적인 특성이 있는 반면 어두운 면도 있습니다.

 

어렸을 때 '늙은 영혼'이라고 불렸던 사람들이 성인이 되었을 때 정신 건강 증상 및 기타 정서적 고통을 경험하는 경우가 점점 더 많아지고 있습니다. 일부 '오래된 영혼'은 태어나는 것이 아니라 만들어지며, 종종 트라우마를 통해 이루어진다는 연구 결과가 있습니다.

 

흥미? 그런 다음 오래된 영혼이 된다는 것이 실제로 무엇을 의미하는지 알아 보려면 클릭하십시오.

당신은 또한 같은 수 있습니다 :

 

Common traits©Shutterstock

Old souls often feel a bit misunderstood or ill-fitting, as the way they look at and move through the world seems unique. While there is no pure definition of an old soul, the following are some of the most commonly recognized traits.

 

Struggle connecting with your age group©Shutterstock 

Growing up you probably found it hard to relate to kids your age. Perhaps they thought you were too serious or you simply found them lacking in the thing you crave most: wisdom.

 

Better connections with older people©Shutterstock 

As a child, you likely got along well with adults, and even as an adult yourself you may still find that your friends tend to be older than you.

 

Strong intuition©Shutterstock 

Strong intuition is a hallmark of old souls, and something they pride themselves on. Old souls tend to have a talent for analyzing people and situations so that they can make the best decisions.

 

Material possessions aren't that important©Shutterstock 

You aren't one to fall prey to passing trends, as you tend to value very few material things and you don't associate happiness with possessions. You merely hope for enough money to meet your needs, with a little extra for savings or emergencies.

 

You need solitude©Shutterstock 

You tend to gravitate towards introversion, because your rich inner world provides a sweet escape. As highly sensitive people, old souls need time to recharge after picking up on everyone's emotions, and there is no better way to do that than spending time alone reading, walking, or simply thinking.

 

You've always been responsible©Shutterstock 

As a child, you were the one who would reliably turn in your homework on time and complete your chores sufficiently. As an adult, you value structure, order, and planning, and tend to keep strict routines.

 

High level of empathy©Shutterstock 

Empathetic people are often seen as old souls, and vice versa. That's because the ability to wholeheartedly understand the experiences and feelings of others grants a sense of maturity and gravity—which can also be a heavy burden to bear.

 

You ask a lot of questions©Shutterstock

A combination of the fact that you rarely accept anything at face value and that you're hungry for knowledge makes you an avid question asker.

 

You enjoyed culture from a young age©Shutterstock 

As a child, you likely read adult paperbacks while your peers were reading chapter books, and you probably liked the music of your parents' generation rather than the Top 40. As an adult, you enjoy good food, wine, films«, and art. You love to learn more about different cultures and how others live their lives.

 

Low tolerance for inauthenticity©Shutterstock 

You have worked so hard to finely tune your intuition that you can't bear being gaslighted when you sense artifice. Fake news and fake people don't sit well with you, and you avoid them at all costs.

 

Over-analytical of situations©Shutterstock 

When presented with a choice, you want to weigh every option and envision every outcome so you can make the best one. This can sometimes be a nuisance to others and to yourself, as it can stall the act of choosing and make you come off as indecisive.

 

You enjoy challenging yourself©Shutterstock 

Instead of material things, you value knowledge, wisdom, and meaning. That's why you enjoy setting out on adventures that will challenge you, like backpacking in a foreign country or learning a new language. It's not about the end point, but the journey.

 

And now, how trauma plays into it©Shutterstock 

While many of these traits may seem personal, they're often found to be a result of childhood trauma, largely centered around children who had no choice but to grow up quickly. Parentification, as it is defined by the American Psychological Association, is when a child takes on the role of an adult or parental figure.