I have always been told that I seem like an old soul. My outward appearance reflects my age, however, the emotions I feel within my soul don't always seem to match. I always seem to be unsatisfied with the present, and I am constantly looking for ways to enrich my future. It can be rather exhausting, and isn’t the best way to live.

An issue that has been on my mind quite recently is trying to balance the things that are part of being a young adult. I feel like an adult, and according to the law I am too. However, sometimes I revert to a childlike mindset for multiple reasons. It truly is very hard to put into words. I think many times when you are a young child you can’t wait to grow up, then when you are facing the big adult life moments you think, wait, can I just be a kid again? There are pros and cons to each age, and each stage of life.

I am soon going to be turning 21 years old in a couple of weeks, and so I am in this stage of my life where I have had to make a lot of grown up like decisions. Due to certain circumstances in my life specifically, I need to be “more of a grown up” for situations compared to others my age, who might not have the same responsibilities. I have always been mature, and tend to take on a lot of responsibility in life. I do think many people struggle with this concept of balancing their age, but because it can be an odd concept to explain, no one seems Io talk about it.

There are many parts of being an adult, and essentially living on my own that I enjoy. Most of my decisions are simply made with the intent to do what I want or what I hope to gain in the future. Life gets scary. It is very hard not to revert to a childlike mode, and rely on my parents to help me. There have been instances where all I wanted was to hide under my covers hoping the bad things would soon come to an end.

How do you balance being an adult, but also when mom and dad want to spend time with you, not revert to childlike behavior? I am not instantly sucking my thumb as soon as I walk back into my child home, however, I struggle with showing my grown-up persona that I express at business meetings or at the grocery store or even when I am filing my taxes.

My friend said that sometimes your parents are at fault for your behavior just as much as you are. She explained that your parents will always see you as the little baby they held when you were younger. Many parents struggle having grown up children, and having to loosen their reins. They don’t have the same control over you that they once did. When it comes to serious or important topics that are brought up, some parents feel because they raised you that their voice is louder than yours. It is important to know yourself, know what you want, and to explain it in the most respectful and firm way possible. I think many people including myself, have some possibly unnecessary guilt for growing up. I can’t really control it, it is going to happen whether I like it or not, so I might as well embrace it!

I have taken this advice to great lengths, and I encourage you to consider this with people in your own life. If you are between the ages of 18-22, you are in a very interesting age. If you thought things were changing during puberty, you got another thing coming! It can be a very exciting time, yet overwhelming. It may or may not be an easy transition for you to become an adult, but it may or may not be any easy transition for those who tend to see you as the chubby cheek baby you once were.

Don’t fret! Be confident in the choices you make. Asking for advice doesn’t make you a child, it shows that you are mature and are willing to ask for help. Just know that your voice means something, and don’t feel that you can’t be the adult you feel inside because your age doesn’t reflect it or your loved ones are having trouble accepting it!