growing up is weird for a number of reasons. one of the main ones being that it kind of comes out of nowhere. one day you're building forts and sand castles in your backyard with your best friend, then all of a sudden you're trying to figure out how to pay taxes and change the transmission on your car. you get a lot more responsibility and with that it gets easy to become overwhelmed and just want to stay in bed all day. but here's the thing: if you get out and face that scary world then you're going to learn and grow and surprise yourself in ways you never thought possible.
it's like it's easier to get sad and discouraged the older you get, but you also get to experience joys and bliss that you didn't realize existed. you get the freedom to go on road trips alone with your boyfriend (husband), eat ice cream for breakfast (realize that eating ice cream for breakfast is a bad idea), and learn those skills that you always dreamed about knowing (like design and photography).
but i think the most important thing in growing up is remembering to stay childlike in ways. to stay curious and creative. to not become cynical and forget that life is to be enjoyed. every season of your life is to be enjoyed - not just endured (and yes that is a mash up thought from different lds general conference talks). happiness is something that you have to work for. you have to choose it everyday. in spite of whatever is bringing you down (like a massive cold sore that just erupted on your face...yes, this is a big one that's been bringing me down the last few days...). but lately i've been thinking a lot about this ted talk by a 13-year-old home schooled boy, and how happiness is not going to be handed to you on a silver platter. if you never think about it or seek it and just ignore it, you're probably not going to enjoy much of it.
so many people describe their youth as the "best years of their life," but i don't want my life to be like that. i want every year to be better. because although i might lose skin elasticity, i'll gain experiences and knowledge. i don't want to spend my days worrying about the little things that really just don't matter. i'm with john lennon on this one: when i grow up i want to be happy.
"when i went to school, they asked me waht i wanted to be when i grew up. i wrote down 'happy'. they told me i didn't understand the assignment, and i told them they didn't understand life."
This is something that has been on my mind lately too! You always hear from everyone to "enjoy college, those years are the best years of your life." I certainly will do my best to make sure that statement does not come true! There is so much to look forward to, it is all about perspective. Love your thoughts on it and thanks for mentioning the video so I can go find it now!
ReplyDeletexx Laur
laurynlasko.blogspot.com
Amen sister. Walking into adult life after university forced me to mature and 'grow up' but everyday I seek to be happier than the day before and I cling on to the inner-child within me. It's so important to stay young while you get older. Growing up doesn't mean getting old, rather it is a journey that embraces experience, happiness and new beginnings
ReplyDeleteSam // samanthaheather.blogspot.com
last paragraph! well said!
ReplyDeleteI really, really enjoyed this post, I think I came across this post at the right time! Things do get harder the older you get, but each age and stage comes with its own delights. I like your attitude of wanting each year to be better and not to bask in the glory days of your youth. I sometimes feel as though I am in a constant state of waiting for something, and this year I made the decision to kick that feeling and do something better with my time.
ReplyDeleteLauren
http://tasteslikelove.blogspot.com
Touché! Also, you are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteyou're beautiful. and amen! i dislike when people always say "those years were the best of my life..!" i like making all of my years the best. good and happy memories every year. and that quote is to live by. xo
ReplyDeleteyou're beautiful. and amen! i dislike when people always say "those years were the best of my life..!" i like making all of my years the best. good and happy memories every year. and that quote is to live by. xo
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing when you have that one moment when you realize you are not so little anymore. Last night my sister who is ten years older than me called me so I could talk her down when she was upset. She never would have done this when I was younger. I could hear myself giving advice and I just thought "wow. I'm really growing up slowly now." It's a cool feeling. Cool kind of peace and excitement all in one!
ReplyDeleteEm
Tightrope to the Sun
i love this & completely agree! life should probably only keep getting better, & we are in charge of making sure that happens!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis post was seriously spot on. It's true, navigating this life all of a sudden (paying taxes, yuck) is never fun. But other parts about growing up can be wonderful. Just perfect :)
ReplyDeletexo TJ
http://www.hislittlelady.com
Good grief, there is a post draft I have written up about the topic but I think you have put it into words much better than I. In fact, you've done so perfectly. :) To be honest with you, I am not looking forward to the oncoming hardships I'll face in adulthood. I'm turning 16 this year but I can already feel the pressure of 'needing to have it all figured out'. Growing up is inevitable and everyone has to deal with it; one thing I agree with you is that staying young at heart is key. It looks like you've got it all down nicely!
ReplyDeleteLUCID STARS