The thought of going to college always carries the weight of great expectations, such as earning a degree, finding something you love, getting a job and of course the words we all dread to hear…growing up. I have now survived my first year of college, which did include struggling through aspects of being an adult like getting my own medical coverage, paying for my car insurance and doing all of my own grocery shopping (which means I had to have a job). All of this, though tiring and frustrating at times, was manageable (with lots of tea and coffee). But what I still don’t understand is the aspect of why growing up paints the picture of being a serious adult that works in an office and has no time for “childish activities” or any fun at all. We do not have to become total and complete sticks-in-the-mud to be an adult and we don’t have to lose our child-like fervor to become “serious enough” to pay our bills.

I am no expert in being an adult, although I have been told that I am mature for my age, and I can honestly say I have a heck of a lot to learn. One thing I have already learned is that being an adult does not mean you can’t take time to have fun or that you can’t be silly with and around other people. There is such a stereotype that “old people” are no fun or that they are always stern and focused on “serious matters”. While this may be true about some people, I believe that it really comes down to personalities. I believe that how much jubilee a person has also reflects how they handle life. When life throws crazy events at us are we going to receive them with a child-like innocence and let them pass by or are we going to dwell on them and let them take our joy from us?

Growing up can and should be something that is fun! Just because you’re now 25 doesn’t mean that you can’t go and play on a play ground or swing on a swing set! Being older than you used to be does not prevent you from watching the newest Disney movies or getting really excited when you pass by a candy store. I honestly believe we live in a society that makes us feel like we have to grow out of being a kid, put those ways behind us and focus on “reality”. But the reality is that we will always hold onto part of our childish ways, after all we are technically just big babies. And I would rather view the world with the eyes of a child: so alive, so sweet, so innocent and so caring.

In no way am I discouraging people or telling people not to mature, because maturity is essential in the process of growing older because we are then able to discern, make wise choices and ultimately, yes, grow up. Again, growing up does come with a lot of responsibility, but wouldn’t that load be a little bit lighter if we laughed a little more, sang to our music in the car at the top of our lungs, danced, played with Legos or colored in a Hello Kitty coloring book? I am a firm believer that children have something that we lack as we age and this is something that is lost by us choosing to allow it to be taken from us, perhaps because of the happenings of life. This lost treasure is joy. Children find this great delight in just about anything, from receiving a new toy to watching their favorite television show. Anything a child does (unless its’ eating their vegetables or doing chores), they do it with such a pep-in-their-step and an enthusiasm that can’t help but make adults smile. Why do we think that we can’t have this child-like joy? Why can’t the simplest things in life bring us happiness and amusement?

My point in all of this is just to encourage adults to chase after and rediscover the youth in them. We are never too old to have fun, to tell silly jokes and laugh at ridiculous things. And to the younger adults out there, I encourage you to never let go of your inner-child (although, that doesn’t mean act stupid) and never lose sight of even your most inconceivable dreams.