I’m getting older as each day passes and I still can’t believe that. This week, in particular, has made me realize that I’m growing up, actually. My older brother graduates college in a couple of days, I turn 20 in less than two weeks and I take my last final of sophomore year in two days. I’m absolutely amazed how fast time flies in life.

It feels like yesterday when I was playing outside at the local park with my brother and neighborhood friends on a hot summer’s day. Now, looking back, that old park has been destroyed and rebuilt with new equipment for the next generation. Specifically looking at that park being rebuilt allowed me to stop and look at my surroundings. I realized that everything is changing around me as I get older.

As I’ve gotten older, particular things I’ve considered pinnacle problems in life have changed. As a child, I remember the biggest problem in my life pertained to not recording the most recent “Hannah Montana” episode and wondering if my mom would let me play at the park with my friends. Now, you can catch me worrying about whether I’ll pass a class by the end of the semester or if I’ll have enough money in my bank account until payday.

Everything is changing around me and I can’t fully grasp it just yet. When I was 13-years-old, I thought One Direction was going to stay a boyband til the end of time, but sadly I was wrong (R.I.P). I even look at my house and I see how it has all changed, like my childhood bedroom, living room and kitchen. Some things don’t seem recognizable. The couch I used to sit and watch “High School Musical” and “Camp Rock,” is gone and now replaced with new furniture erasing old memories.

I look at my bedroom and see empty walls that used to be filled with posters of Nick Jonas, Zac Efron and Harry Styles (I still love you, boo). I’ve been incredibly nostalgic recently looking at everything around me. My parents are getting older and my childhood cat has begun to walk slower. Everything I once and still loved is changing as each year flies by, which makes me want to freeze time for a moment and take it all in.

Seeing my world change around me is great because I get to grow up and learn. As each year passes, I learn something new that I cherish. I learned that not everything will stay the same and friends drift apart as we find our paths in life. We all change as years add on to our lives and teach us impactful lessons. Nostalgia may fill my days at times, but I’m happy for getting older and seeing change around me. May my twenties be amazing and filled with joy and everyone around me makes great memories. Growing up has allowed me to make memories in the past that I will deeply cherish until my dying days. Here I am, sitting in my childhood bedroom and realizing that growing up is a good thing, hopefully.