Unlike most tweens and teens, my paranoia and fear of getting older kicked in when I was about sixteen. Once I got my drivers license, I literally felt like my mother (sorry Mom). Because I had a car, I was asked to occasionally pick up my sister from school, at sports practice, or a party - which may I add is the dreaded responsibility of a chauffeur - driving to pick up your little sister from a high school party at 12:30 AM.
With my impending twenty-first birthday just around the corner, I am dreading the cards that I am sure some family members will send that are inscribed with a message similar to that of, "Congrats, you're officially an adult."
Actually, no. If you ask any given stranger on the street how old they think I am, the consensus is usually I'm 15-years-old, so let's go with that.
When you're a kid, being an adult sounds magical. This is because the people you idolize like your babysitters/nannies, seem really cool. (Mine actually were.) All you can think about at 15 is what opportunities you'll have at 16 (aka driving), all you can think about at 16 is all the R-rated movies you can see without parental supervision at 17 (except no one likes turning 17...it's a pretty boring year.) All you can think about at 17 is being able to vote at 18...right? And of course up until you hit 21, all people think about it is when they can finally have their first legal drink!!!
Now that I'm getting referred to as an adult (gag), all I can think about are things I wish I could still do, but likely can't get away with now that I'm of a certain age. RIP to all the fun activities I used to do:
1. Swings
When you were approximately the size of a legitimate small person, swings were essentially the equivalent to flying. You would pump your legs with all the strength you had, sometimes using your foot to kick off against the ground and gain momentum, and then occasionally (much to the dismay of your poor feet) launch yourself off the swing mid-air, feeling invincible for a brief moment, before hitting the hard grass.
2. Napping
I still can't believe that at one point in our educational journey, there was a reserved amount of time each day where we were told and expected to take a nap. Totally took this class period for granted.
3. Arthur
Seriously, if I knew where and when to watch it, I think I would still be watching this show. Arthur was a story about an Aardvark family...I mean, how could you not be obsessed? Also, low-key, this show has some seriously underrated one-liners and one of the greatest sass queens of all time: D.W.
4. Easy homework
There is nothing quite like a serious competition and hostile environment an elementary school can manifest when you give students the challenge to memorize their times tables. MISS IT.
5. Board Games Being Fun
When I was 5, Candy Crush did not exist. Candy Land was the only candy-infused game I could wrap my mind around. The anticipation of picking up a card and praying that "Princess Lolly" was on the other side when you were stuck back at the Plumpy tree was something you lived for. Also, PSA: just learned they took out Plumpy and renamed the character. How can you get rid of Plumpy...
6. No Beauty Expectations
Serious throwback to when this was the only type of makeup you wore to school.
7. Temper Tantrums
Temper tantrums were definitely not a highlight of my childhood, but in retrospect, how nice was it that you could kinda get away with releasing all your anger and frustration in public, while still looking cute? And all because you were a kid who was just really over waiting in a long line or being told to go to your room with no dessert.
8. Passenger Seat Allure
The most liberating feeling was when you finally hit the weight or age limit (whichever comes first) that allowed you to sit in the front seat. You finally upgrade from the back of the car where you once felt exiled, to the passenger seat where you get to control the radio and have secret conversations with your Dad!!! Bye, backseat. It was never nice knowing ya.
9. Mall Trips
Going to the mall used to be enjoyable: rolling in squad deep (sans parents, or maybe they were just in the candle store), bag full of random gift cards to your favorite shops that you've had for a while now, and an 'impromptu' trip to the food court for some terrible Chinese food.
10. Being Tucked In
When you get to be an adult, you inevitably move out of your parents house and might possibly live alone. College is basically a test trial to see if you can last with minimum supervision and if you can get yourself into bed every night. I must say though, I do miss being tucked in by my parents after feeling scared or sad or just wanted some reassurance that I was looked after.
