I remember being young and wanting to grow up so bad. That was something I wished for time and time again. I wanted to hang out with the older kids. I wanted to do the things that my older cousins were doing. I wanted to shave my legs and wear makeup like all the adults did. I remember trying to dress and act older than I was. I was sure that being an adult was the best thing possible and all I wanted was to grow up. I wanted the adult lifestyle that I saw in the movies; the fancy parties, the nice clothes, and all the fun and exciting things that come with being an adult. I didn’t think about the things that I couldn’t see, like paying bills, working, responsibilities ... you know, all the “fun stuff.”
Well, now that I’ve grown up I realize that being an adult sucks. Like, it’s the worst thing ever. And I definitely wasn’t prepared to enter the real world. I’m still not, to be honest. I wish that I would’ve slowed down when I was younger and enjoyed my time rather than wished I was older. Had I not rushed my childhood, maybe I would’ve enjoyed it a little bit more. If I could go back in time to relive all my kid years, I would.
Everyone loves to say, “You’re still so young, you have time to enjoy your life.” Well, be that as it may, I still have a lot on my plate. I never imagined 21 to be so demanding. I didn’t expect to have so much going on at such a “young” age. It seems like now, more than ever, I think back to my childhood and wish I could go back. It was nice to have someone to take care of you 24/7. It was a blessing not having any real responsibilities except the chores you had to do once a week that you typically forgot to do anyways. The only drama I had in my life was fighting over who got what toy. The only heartache I experienced was a pet passing away. And the only problems that I had were on my math homework.
However, everything has changed now. To be quite honest, things have gotten a lot harder now. People assume that just because I’m in college that I’m just out partying and enjoying myself — however, that’s not the case in the slightest.
Now that I’m technically considered an adult, I have things to pay for by myself. I don’t get an allowance from my parents and I can’t rake the leaves for a few extra bucks. I have to work full time to support the lifestyle that I want. And, even though I’m working, I’m still racking up my debt with student loans. My life is consumed by school and working and trying to find enough time to have a social life and sleep at some point, too. Growing up was definitely not as glamorous as I once thought it was. My life isn’t filled with fancy clothes and parties. It is definitely unlike any of the movies that I’ve seen. If I go back in time, I would tell my past self to enjoy my childhood and appreciate that life is so easy.
If you’re in a rush to grow up, just slow down and appreciate the freedom you have. Because once you grow up, there’s no going back.
