Hey there, fellow grown-ups! Remember when we were carefree kids, and the word “grown-up” seemed like a distant land, far, far away? Well, it turns out, being a grown-up isn’t as glamorous as it sounds. In fact, it’s all a bit…BS.
For me, the real “growing up” didn’t kick in until I hit my thirties. And then, boom, parenthood landed on my doorstep. It was like someone hit the fast-forward button on life. Why the sudden rush? Maybe because the world in 2016/2017 looked a little crazier than usual, with hatred out in the open. I had to toughen up, and I wasn’t even remotely prepared for it. But that’s life, right? You’re just going along, and suddenly the world gets smaller, darker, and, frankly, less hospitable. How did we end up here?
But then, my little one started growing up, and I decided to hit the pause button on “being a responsible adult.” No work, just pure quality time with her. And it was an eye-opener. Watching her tiny, unapologetic self was like time travel. She said “no” without hesitation when she didn’t want something, took her sweet time in the bathroom, and made friends by simply walking up to another kid. It was a lesson in going back to our primal selves.
I thought, “Hey, I want in on this!” So now, I’m all about saying “no” when it doesn’t align with my desires, taking my time in the bathroom (no more rushing, please), and savoring meals without making a fuss about every dropped piece.
On our way to school or work, if my little rebel isn’t in the mood to venture out, I shout, “Me too!” and I mean it. Who decided we have to do all these grown-up things anyway? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little whine and not be judged for it? Because, really, we don’t have to be tough all the time.
Now, my favorite questions are directed at my mini philosopher: “What do you think?” “Why is this like that?” “Want to jump in that pile of leaves?” “Sleep in my bed or yours tonight?” I crave her perspective, intelligence, and curiosity, and I’m not alone. We all need a little more of that in our lives. It’s time to shed the grown-up facade and jump into muddy puddles or dive headfirst into a pile of autumn leaves. So what if the other grown-ups call us crazy? After all, who decided we had to be all serious and composed all the time? Let’s dance in the middle of the road because, why the heck not?