As I sat on the swings, as a college student, with a few of my friends I wondered, how long will this continue? How long until we will not swing on the swings anymore? Or how long until people criticize us for doing activities that are not “our age”? How long until playing video games is considered immature? Or how long until watching Saturday morning cartoons seems child-like? Or how long until you have to get rid of your favorite teddy bear before someone comments “how old are you really?”
So, as I sit in my room looking at all the random knickknacks I have, what is childish and what seems adult like or grown up? Who makes that decision of whether you are or are not mature? The colors of my room are electric blue and lime green. That is exactly what the eight year old Madison wanted and so it happened and my room is still painted the same colors. Someone asked me, “Why don’t you change the colors to something more grown up?” One, because I really don’t feel the need to. Two, what is then considered a color that is more grown up? Navy, burgundy, hot pink? Under all the pressure that society is forcing us to grow up, we are finally noticing the things that are considered “important” in life, not just the color of my room or playing videos games forever.
We are starting to care about the future and past. I care where my life will take me and hope that I am traveling down the right path. I also care about the fun memories while swinging on the swings and playing backyard games. We dream big and believe in ourselves more than we let on. Just think of our favorite hero from old TV shows and we become impossible to stop. More issues about weight and health arise with growing older-- you have to care for your body in a serious manner in older to be 101 years old. I exercise and I also eat fries. I eat salads but also have ice-cream here and there. We are responsible yet carefree-- understanding we have things to do that need to get done but also knowing there is always room for a spontaneous binge watching of Netflix or a road trip that needs to be taken.
Losing your mother in the grocery store still sounds like the end of the world. You never let the opportunity to pop the bubble wrap pass. If there is a Disney song, you need to sing it no matter where you are. The trampoline the neighbors have, taunts you enough for you to want to steal it from their yard. Hotel beds? Oh yeah you still jump on them. Naps are just as important as breakfast. You still don’t want to call the doctor when you’re sick-- you make your parents do it. When it rains, you already have your rain boots on ready to conquer those puddles.
Truthfully, it is A-OK to be a child at heart. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. There was never a distinct line made from being a child to an adult that says: “Stop. Become an adult.” Nope, so embrace those childlike memories and qualities that you still love. Swing on the swings until you can’t. Have your walls painted in bright colors. Run in the rain, embrace your responsibilities but let free your happy-go-lucky side and prove those who judge you wrong.
