The Youngest in the Room: On "Old Souls" and Learning to Be

For as long as I can remember, I was the youngest one in the room. Whether it was in organizations, academic leadership roles, or family gatherings, I was always the one being patted on the head and called an "old soul." I wore that label like a badge of honor. It meant I was mature, responsible, and achieving things ahead of my curve. I learned to listen more than I spoke, to plan for the future, and to carry the weight of expectations. I was so busy acting my age forward that I forgot how to act my age. I was afraid of seeming immature, so I stopped being spontaneous. I was afraid of making mistakes, so I stopped trying things I might fail at. I was so focused on the next goal, the next achievement, that I forgot to live in the present moment. It took a while, but I’ve finally learned the lesson that my younger self needed to hear: You don’t have to be mature for your age to be worthy. There is a different kind of wisdom in letting go. There is strength in being silly, in trying something new even if you’re bad at it, and in admitting you don’t have all the answers. Now, I’m learning to embrace the parts of myself I kept hidden. I’m learning that making a mess is often the first step to creating something beautiful. I’m learning that the best moments in life aren't the ones I meticulously planned, but the ones I stumbled into with a laugh. Being an old soul got me far. But learning to be a kid again? That’s teaching me how to live.

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