Do you ever have those days where you just feel like you can’t “adult” today? I know I do. I can remember as a kid always wanting to be older — first, I couldn’t wait to turn 13 so I could be a full-fledged teenager. Then it was 16, so I could get my learner’s permit. And finally, 21 because then I was an actual adult. Now at almost 30, I’d like to be a carefree kid again — whose only responsibility was going to school and getting good grades. Wasn’t life easier back then? It sure was. But as a kid, going to school seemed like the worst task of all. Now, I would welcome that life with open arms.
I received a great email from a friend quoting George Carlin’s views on aging. It pretty much sums up my thoughts on the subject perfectly. It’s too long to share in its entirety, but here is a short excerpt.
“If you’re less than 10 years old, you’re so excited about aging that you think in fractions.
‘How old are you?’ ‘ I’m four and a half!’ You’re never thirty-six and a half.
You’re four and a half, going on five! That’s the key.
You get into your teens, now they can’t hold you back.
You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.
‘How old are you?’ ‘I’m gonna be 16!’ You could be 13, but hey, you’re gonna be 16!
And then the greatest day of your life! You become 21.
Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!
But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there?
Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out.
There’s no fun now, you’re just a sour-dumpling.
What’s wrong? What’s changed?
You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you’re PUSHING 40.”
Maybe we can’t reverse the hands of time and be a kid again. But wouldn’t it be nice if we retained the same excitement about aging we once had as a child? I don’t mind turning 30 in November — I’m actually looking forward to this next decade. It’s just all of the responsibility that comes with “turning” 30 that gets me. I feel like they didn’t tell us what came with being an adult when we were kids. It looked like fun and games to have a job that paid you money and allowed you to buy what you wanted. I must have missed the lesson detailing the not-so-glamorous parts of adulthood — like bills…bills…and more bills.
So, as we get older, let’s remember that it’s a place we all want to get to. But sometimes, it’s okay if you just can’t motivate yourself to “adult” that day. Cut yourself some slack and do something your inner child would thank you for!
This is such a good post. I need to change my attitude about getting older. Thanks for the reminder!
http://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Glad you enjoyed it, Kathrine! Remember, age is just a number. And I’m not a math person, so to me, numbers are meaningless. LOL!
Great post, lady- and I agree, I’d love to go back to the days of being a carefree kid! 🙂
-Ashley
http://lestylorouge.com/
Wouldn’t it be so nice of we could, Ashley? Even if just for one day…
Yes I can really relate to this post, when I was younger I can remember saying to my mum and dad when I had dressed up for a party “I look like I’m 21 in this dress” and my mum saying to me “don’t wish your life away”.
I’m 32 now, 33 next year, and yes she’s right, certainly enjoy your youth, don’t grow old too quickly, that’s not to say don’t be wise, but enjoy growing older. Life is a learning process no matter what age, no matter how young or old.
I think even though we are in our 30s we can still giggle, have silly moments and thoughts, the inner child is in all of us. Just because we are older that doesn’t mean we cannot act childlike sometimes in a ‘grown up’ kid of a way! 😀
Hope you’re well and thanks for a great post.
Laura xo
http://www.shehearts.net
What a great perspective, Laura! I always wanted to be older, too. And now that I’m “almost” 30, I certainly appreciate those moments when I get to feel like a kid again — which usually involves being in some kind of candy store where I actually see candy from my youth.
This is so perfect! I always remember saying I was 5 and a half or 7 and a quarter! I told someone I was going to be 21 soon when I was 19… it’s funny how we always want the next phase of life until we’re right in the middle of it!
xo Bryn
http://www.waketonroad.com
So true, Bryn! I remember turning 12 and already saying I was going to be 13. Now that I’m “almost” 30, I’ve started celebrating half birthdays! It’s funny how life works.
Haha. I know the felling of “I don’t want to be adult today” feeling.
Lovely post dear, thanks for it 🙂
Xx Blue Ducklings
http://www.blueducklings.wordpress.com
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed the post and can relate.
I love this post and can 100% relate to it. I was always the kid who wanted to grow up and thought adulthood would be a breeze. Yeah, maybe if I didn’t have bills to pay! Since turning 30 this year I’ve tried to embrace my inner child more to remind myself that I can take some of the good of adulthood (having my own money for travel, being able to make my own decisions) and combine it with some of the good of childhood (spontaneity and fearlessness).
I like the way you think, Kasie! I turn 30 in November, and suddenly feel like I want to be a kid again — but there are certain parts of adulthood that I like. I’m going to find a way to make this whole adulting thing fun!
I feel like this all the time! And as far as I can tell there’s no end in sight!
Heidi || Wishes & Reality
I know what you mean, Heidi! Can’t we just have a #noadultingday and make it be like a national holiday or something?