Growing old is mandatory; Growing up is optional

Anyone else terrified to grow up?

Was I not just perched in front of the TV watching iCarly and worrying about beating the next level of Color Switch on my iPod? Yet, here I am applying to eight colleges that could tug me in eight different paths towards the later of my life.

I want to stay little forever I tell myself.

I am afraid that I will not have the time for fun anymore. Even the thought that I could never again have an infectious fit of giggles worries me. Tell me, since when is it not acceptable to order from the kids menu? And why am I no longer cute enough to get away with creating “oopsies”?

To think how long ago we were saying how badly we wanted to grow older and all we want now is to be little again. It’s funny how that works. How I wish I could go back and tell that little girl to stay there forever.

Don’t grow up. I beg you.

Live in the moment and cherish everything you have. Life is only going to become more challenging and complicated. Joy will make less appearances.

I have seen what growing up has done to every adult in my life. I see the wrinkles under my grandmother’s eyes from ceaseless worry. Or my mother’s ability to slumber by eight every night from exhaustion. I see my dad’s hobbies drift away in order to prioritize stability.

I don’t want those symptoms of aging. I want to run around in a sundress and play in the dirt. And for a time, have absolutely no worries. Is that so much to ask for? Maybe I’m just scared to lose all of the great things about being a kid.

But who says they have to disappear?

Our parents. Our teachers. Our friends. Society.

Grow up and stop acting like a child they say.

I think what they mean here is, you must mature.

Growing up is not the same thing as maturing. Maturity is learned through experience and illustrates how you choose to respond to various situations in life. Anyone at any age can mature.

So you know what I say.

Stay a kid at heart forever, just mature intellectually and morally. Age is just a number, and at no point do we have to lose our childlike nature because we have left our adolescence.

Jump in the puddles with your bright red wellingtons.

Ask so many questions that the responses become, “because I said so.”

Fall, count your bruises, and go get that Mickey Mouse BandAid.

Put on that poofy pink tulle dress and let everyone stare.

Truly believe that you will one day be a famous YouTuber or Ariel with her Eric.

Show up at your best friends house and ask if they can come out to play.

Wave at strangers and show them your smile.

Live in awe of all things in the world that amaze you.

Because at the end of the day, everyone wants to be a kid again…they just need the reminder that absolutely nothing is stopping them.