In adolescence, young people tend to be naïve and believe things that may not be so true about themselves or about life in general. I know that was true for me. Like everyone else my age, I thought of myself as "grown" even though I was not. I'm still adjusting to the drastic change between being a child and being an adult.
In the short life I have lived so far, I have learned a lot. I've really become a much wiser version of myself. It is so crazy to think I used to be so different than I am today, both physically, mentally, and spiritually. Being an adult presents more choices and, more than anything else, lots of responsibility.
These are the 10 things biggest differences between teen me and adult me:
1. Not getting overemotional about the little things.
I am hypersensitive and always got upset when someone did or said something that hurt me. I still feel my feelings now, but I don't suffocate other people with them anymore. Being upset is fine as long as I deal with it in my own time. That does not mean I have to go through painful things alone, it just means I need to control my negative emotions so they can be released at the right time.
2. I will always be my parents' daughter.
I recently spent an entire day with my father. He just turned 60 last year. Of the four children, I was the only one who chose to go bond with my dad at the Washington Auto Show. Yes, I was busy with homework and had to be back in Towson that day, but knowing how happy it made my dad really made staying home another day worth it.
At the same time, my mother was going through some health issues and my presence back home really lifted her spirit. No matter how old I get, I am my parents' daughter, their little girl.
3. I take more risks without fear.
I am super cautious, so risk-taking is not my thing. But I am more comfortable now than ever before about simply leaping without looking first. Bad things happen all the time and recovering is not that difficult. A little risk never hurt anybody!
4. I don't always make plans.
Making plans for big assignments is fine, but making plans also lays the foundation for expectations. Spontaneity is really good for the soul. Getting out there and just "doing" is a good break from the humdrum of everyday life in America.
5. I don't overreact when expectations are unmet.
Expectations are the worst. When things don't go as expected, it sucks and really can weigh on the rest of the day. I have gotten into trying to eliminate any kind of expectations, particularly when it comes to my connections with others, be it in dating or any other relationship in my life.
6. I do what it takes to survive.
Money is always important. I hustle every day as a retail manager while balancing the workload of graduate school. But I know that when my time in school ends, I will need to keep the hustle alive to bring in money for rent and living expenses. The drive to survive keeps me going now that I live on my own.
7. A little play is OK.
In high school, my mind stayed in my academics. In college, that's how it started out, but I realized I need time to be social. Otherwise, I am trapped in tedium. Fun is healthy, and I like to include it in my plans when I can.
8. Time management makes all the difference.
Although I still struggle with this one, I have my planner, my syllabus, and the apps on my phone to keep my life in order. I use every possible tool in my arsenal to avoid chaos and disorder in my life. Missing an assignment is bad, but missing important events means having people you care about upset with you. I'd rather not have that.
9. Diet & exercise really do matter.
I eat cleaner and incorporate exercise in my life, something I never cared for before. My metabolism is officially slowing down and all my bad choices are creeping up on me. My health is more of a priority now than before.
10. I spend time with myself.
I talk about me time a lot because it is everything. I need to be more social even with the friends I already have, but sometimes peace and quiet can be a girl's best friend. Sometimes I want to treat myself to time alone to focus on improving myself.
