Let me start off by clarifying that I am 21-years-old. I am now a senior in college, but I'm a little unorthodox. I am what many refer to as "the mom friend." I have been classified as nagging, motherly, careful, and boring. I'm not exactly "up-to-speed" with the fast pace of the twenty-somethings. I'll tell you what I love. I love Christmas, dogs, warm blankets, fuzzy socks, books, writing, movies, traveling, HGTV, weddings, pictures, baking, family, friends, Harry Potter, smoothies, and safe adventures. Based off of this list, it doesn't necessarily scream that I'm an old soul. However, what I didn't put on the list are activities like skydiving, partying, driving fast, flying in airplanes, or any real risk-taking endeavor. Don't get me wrong, skydiving seems like it could be fun and I enjoy a good party every now and then. Driving fast is sometimes necessary and flying in airplanes is more enjoyable with other people. Risk-taking just gives me anxiety and most people my age seem to be more open or accepting of risks. I live life more in the slow lane and I take pleasure in being prepared and comfortable.

I am indeed an old soul. I don't know how to explain that I think the thirties will fit my taste better than what the twenties do. A house, a steady career, a dog, married, and kids...all part of this big plan that I hope goes the way I want it to. I'm not naïve enough to believe that life isn't going to throw me some curve balls and probably wreck any plans I make, but I make them anyway. I feel like that will be the time in life that I thrive and I could be very wrong. Hence, one of the flaws of being an old soul. Sometimes I forget to live in the moment.

I sometimes seem way too mature for my age and often get annoyed by everyday occurrences of the twenty-somethings. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that they're flawed. I'm claiming my annoyance as a flaw of my own. As an old soul, there comes this sense of "unbelonging" to your age group. While I sometimes love being twenty, I have found through experiences with others that they too think I'm a little different. For example, when I go on trips, my friends don't bring anything because they expect me to already have it, as well as some extras. I'm made fun of for bringing so many things and worrying about all the possibilities. However, they don't say a word when they're using my Band-Aids, my tissues, or medicine that they all end up needing.

Don't rule-out an old soul. Just because we seem like we don't quite fit in, doesn't mean we can't have fun. Just because we worry about necessities and take precautions, doesn't mean we are doing something wrong. You may just need our help later on. Love your old souls. We can love and have fun. Just because we don't seem like the stereotypical twenty-something doesn't make us any less of a friend. We will not just take care of ourselves, but we will take care of you too.