Old Soul

I was told recently, by a 36 year old, that I was an "old soul." It is true that for only being 23, I am pretty mature/old lady like. Since that comment was made, I have been trying to figure out what it is that makes me that way. Unlike a lot of people I've known throughout the years, mainly most of my college friends, I have been the same person since I was about 15 years old. I think for most it takes those first couple of years away from home to become comfortable in your own skin, to find out who you "really" are, but for me I really haven't changed in the last 8 years. For the most part, I have always been the same pushy, fun-loving, dancing-queen, egotistical, generous, loving person. Maybe that is why now, only at 23 years, I seem so much older. Any thoughts?

The more I think about it, I am not sure I like being considered old for my age. Not that I want to be considered immature, but it made me think that maybe I am missing out on the ability to be a kid once and a while. I feel like I'm at an age where I can get away with things just because I am still young, where in a few years people would say, "she should know better by now." Don't get me wrong, there are still times when all I want to do is crawl up in to my mom's lap and feel safe again, but for the most part I love feeling independent, strong, and wise (although I still feel like Lexi is the wisest). I know for a fact that I am not nearly as spontaneous as I used to be, and that is a bit disappointing. Something I need to work on.

Does all of this come from how we are brought up? One thing that I have always appreciated about my mom is that I had to start working when I was 14. If I wanted something, I usually had to save up for it. The fact that I have always had to work for most of what I wanted has made me feel more grown up/responsible for some reason, but there were times growing up that I felt like more of an adult than my parents, mainly my dad. I am to a point now where I see that wasn't the case, but never the less I think it made me develop this type of maturity at an earlier age.

My goal in response to this is to try and find a balance between being responsible, and allowing myself to make mistakes, act like a kid, and be silly.