Quote:
Originally Posted by GenCat
I have also been constantly told I am an "old soul". When I was a teenager I never did anything like my age group did. Never dressed, acted, or thought like a teen. All the adults liked me because of this, I was wiser beyond my years. I hated being different, but now I like being different than others my age.
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I had a similar experience with adults liking me. Looking back, I think they misinterpreted my quietness and good behavior as signs of a respectful and well adjusted kid. I just wanted to avoid as much conflict as possible.
In addition to feeling emotionally stunted, I've never really allowed myself to express my emotions, and over the years I've grown detached from them, as if I no longer process them consciously (yet I'm clearly and negatively affected by them). I read about a term some people use called alexithymia, which seems to describe me somewhat. Being a guy, especially large/tall, I've always pretended not to be squishy, but even more so it would never be acceptable for me to rage or let loose.
I wonder if it's still possible to learn to feel older. I still feel like a preschooler (5 year old).