Hey friends, it’s been a minute. We’ve been quiet on here lately (a little over 8 months) while we attended to a few things Hearth Sisters and otherwise, but we’re glad to be back in this space! Thanks for bearing with us.
I’m an old soul.
I have friends of all ages. There are some wonderful gems among my peer group who share a depth of wisdom and provide incredible solidarity as we navigate life’s happenings individually and through shared adventures. There’s also a very specific demographic of women I connect with who deserve their own acknowledgement. These women are precisely double my age. They are the mothers of my peers. It’s difficult to articulate the distinct value and precious sense of connection and community they bring to my life. I can think of more than a handful of these rock stars, who I communicate with regularly or periodically. Through our conversations I feel seen. This unique set of friendships has prompted me to reflect on their commonalities and why I find their perspective so deeply comforting.
I am grateful for the many sisters of all ages and sage stages who stand with me. All photos in this post taken by Valerie Minville
These relationships resonate because:
- It occurs to me that when you reach 60, you are positioned to be phenomenally authentic in a way that perhaps you haven’t before. Maybe by now you’ve raised a family, pursued one or more careers, or you’re simply a grown woman who knows exactly who she is, what she’s about, and what makes her most happy. And these women tend to have the availability and the wherewithal to pursue those things with more freedom and intention.
- These women care less and less about what others think. Other opinions become increasingly irrelevant. Erasing those expectations appears liberating.
- Rather than seeming like old souls themselves, these women exhibit an incredible renewable energy and inspiring sense of purpose. A mischievous glint shines in their eyes; they possess a playful nature, no longer taking themselves or others too seriously.
- These women prioritize a certain pace of life. They take time for the people and things that matter. Maybe for a time it felt like life was happening to them; now they ensure more of life is happening for them. By this I mean they don’t need to rush through conversation quite so much, because they know it’s better to savour the visits that fuel and fire up their soul, too. Their gifts to me find form as presence, space holding, and lending an ear.
- Perhaps most special to me, these women are my cheerleaders. They encourage me and support me unwaveringly. That obviously feels massively comforting and affirming. I go to them with my hopes and questions, my confidence and my hesitation. Here are women double my age with a conviction that my best adventures lie ahead, that I have so much more to share with the world, and that I will be just fine as long as I honour what’s in my heart. They all encourage me to put my heart-led dreams first and to follow that intuition whenever possible.
We’ve shared copious cups of tea together. We’ve taken long walks together in beautiful places. We’ve curled up on cozy couches and exchanged long messages from the heart. We’ve swapped thoughtful gifts of all kinds, and they’ve championed my efforts when I’ve fundraised for various projects.
What if each of us has a soul decade? I have a sense that when I reach my 60s, I might experience something equating to an exhale of relief as I realize I’ve made it to my soul’s home. That doesn’t mean I don’t plan to live every day between now and then fully (and for a long time after), but I wonder if for each of us there’s a space where we feel our truest essence expressed. I know many people look back on their high school era as a high point (before life introduced things like mortgages and taxes and student debt). Others long to return to their childhood. Some are eager to leave it. And maybe some aren’t sure, or they are happy to roll with life as it arrives in each new moment.
What a gorgeous way to look at life – that rather than aging we are simply “sage-ing” – getting to know ourselves better through new moments and days, growing better able to articulate and share who we are with those around us.
Thank you, soul mamas, for the gentle wisdom you offer, for your candid perspective, for your endless, unconditional support. Thank you for speaking right from your heart to mine, and for your love.
I’ve made peace with being an old soul. And it’s not just about seeking out soul sisters. I’ve also been privileged to experience the immense reassurance of being with a ‘soul mate.’
When we talk about ‘old souls’ in the realm of psychology, we are often referring to those individuals who seem to have inherent wisdom and a grounded sense of being in the world—often far more than would be expected for someone their age." - Carla Marie Manly, PhD
Included on a list of Old Soul traits:
-You thirst for knowledge, wisdom, truth
-You reflect often on your inner thoughts and feelings
-You see the bigger picture
-You understand that life is short
-Your introverted nature doesn’t really come from a social preference or temperament – it’s simply a sign of having an old soul.
Those don’t sound so bad. They sound pretty accurate. In fact, they make me want to continue the search for old souls.
I’m starting an Old Soul Club. I’ve met and journeyed with others like me and it’s always glorious when I do. Pre-reqs: must be an unfailingly patient knitting & crochet tutor (that’s only half a joke - I’ve got holiday gifts to procure, after all!).
May the old soul in you keep you young at heart.
-Ali
