I have been told countless times that I have an “old soul.” Even when I was younger, I would often chose making crafts and spending time alone over going outside and playing with my friends. Having an old soul does not mean you are an introvert, though; you can be the most outgoing person in the world, yet still prefer to knit on a Friday night rather than spending money and time at the bar. Although this may seem like a bore to any spontaneous person in their twenties, the burden of an old soul is nothing compared to the unique perspective it brings throughout life.

Being an old soul in your twenties is like forcing yourself to be audacious and bold when all you want to do is what makes you content. You experience life through the eyes of someone who can see an impractical outcome before it happens. You are wise beyond your years, and sometimes the maturity that comes along with that can set you apart from the crowd.

No matter how much you force yourself to make small talk with others, you prefer spending your time with a few close friends over socializing with new people. Going out on the weekends does not make sense to you when you would much rather pour a glass of wine and watch your favorite romantic comedy. You care about those who mean the most to you, and you go out of your way to show them that (even if they don’t return the favor). You prefer writing a letter to a friend over sending a text message, and odds are you have been referred to as “weird” on a weekly basis. If this sounds like you, then welcome to the minority of being an old soul.

Being an old soul is a privilege. You are probably referred to as the “mom” in your group because of your mature habits, but choosing to wake up early and spend your free time alone with a good book is your way of appreciating the world around you. Us old souls understand that every day is a blessing, and that what you do with your time is what will lead you into the person that you want to be. We know that it is okay to do what makes us happy, even if it might not be what our peers agree with.

Embracing your old soul is important in letting others know that it is okay to be different. Having a different outlook than everyone else is what life is all about. We all have past experiences that make us who we are, and us old souls just happen to remember the life lessons that come along with it. There is not much of a challenge when it comes to appreciating your old soul; understand that everyone is made up of different experiences, do what makes you happy, and cherish each moment that you are given while you can.