Growing old is inevitable. Growing up isn't. As we get older we are conditioned to fall into the trap of a stereotypical adult life. Go to college, get a job, get married, pay bills, have kids, retire. It's this repetitive cycle that makes us believe that there is no other way to live, and it seems like every year adds more and more weight. Your responsibilities grow exponentially, along with your stress.
If you're not careful the weight will break you down and bury the brightest part of yourself, your inner child. I can not stress this enough, do not let your inner child die. No phrase bothers me more than “You're too old to do that.” To old for what exactly? To live? To have fun? Why should you stop enjoying life?
If growing up means that then I guess I've decided not to.
When I'm making the very “adult” decisions that come my way in life, I like to keep this in mind: my inner child needs just as much attention, as my functioning outer adult does. For example, while getting ready to leave for college, some of the most difficult decisions were: what my major would be; what classes I would take and just as pressing; what stuffed animals I'd take with me. I know that in the future when I look for the one I am going to marry, I'll look for someone hardworking and trustworthy, but just as important someone I can walk down the Main Street of Disney and dance in the kitchen in our pajamas with.
Now by no means am I saying that you can just blow off all responsibilities that come hand in hand with growing older. However what I am saying is that, when you're young you don't take yourself too seriously. You have this pure sense of wonder, a passion for life unparalleled to anything in the world, you are curious to the things around you and are excited to take on everyday. With the overwhelming amount of pressures life throws our way you can not afford to lose this part of yourself. Every time you cry make sure you counteract it with laughing, after being serious all day find time to be silly, and never take yourself too seriously.
So after a hard day of work at your adult job, jump into bed, watch your favorite cartoon and laugh until your stomach hurts; After stressing over your huge test, curl up with your mama like you did when you were sure of the monsters under your bed; and when you think life is demanding just too much and is draining the life out of you, remember the bright-eyed, resilient child that is still inside of you.
Don't let the number of years in your life affect the amount of life in your years. Stay curious, stay excited, and stay young.
