People will always tell you to grow up, to find what you’re meant to do, and to make an impact on the world. No matter what that impact may be, you’re always meant to act like an adult at some point.

But what if you don’t want to grow up? What if you want to continue learning while staying true to your inner child?

I’m a naturally childish person. I prefer to be spontaneous and happy. That’s how my mind works and that’s how I like to live.

So, why do I get told that I need to grow up every day of my life?

I’m told that I need to act professional. I’m told I need to make a living for myself, but only by working in a traditional work environment. I’m told that acting and music and dance aren’t real jobs; that they’re pipe dreams with no chance of success.

When I was thirteen I found myself engrossed in the world of theatre. I told my mom and dad that my dream was to work on Broadway in any way possible, and they tried their best to seem supportive but I could see right through them.

They told me that it was a very hard goal to reach, but I could attempt to work for it. I thought nothing of it, and I continued. For the next five years I kept working on my craft, I discovered the areas that I was best at, and by my senior year of high school I had finally shown my true potential.

In the span of six months I choreographed three shows and designed makeup for two, and my parents weren't expecting it one bit.

During all of this, I was still told to grow up.

I don’t need to.

I’m learning what I can and can’t do, I’m learning what I’m passionate about, and I’m learning how to fend for myself at my own pace.

This world is messed up and hope is at an all-time low right now. The need to get started right away and earn a career worth something to the public is at the top of people’s lists.

It’s not uncommon for people to lose track of their inner kid, but the pressure that’s put on them to get past that stage in life isn’t something we should be supporting.

I enjoy being a kid at heart, and I’m incredibly lucky that I have people around me who support me.

I'm able to skip down the side walk to class while humming a show tune and my friends will think nothing of it because they know that's who I am. They accept me for my quirks, and that's why they're my friends.

It’s a shame that other people don’t have that, because without expressing that part of yourself, you're turning into an empty shell.

We’re kids at heart so we can discover and explore. How are we supposed to live our lives when we deny ourselves things such as this?