A few days ago was my 32nd birthday, and according to the magazines, when a woman is over 30 years old, she’s supposed to start thinking of herself as old. But I don’t feel old. Not at all. In fact, I’m still a lot like a child. Here are seven reasons why:
1) I don’t care what you think.
OK, maybe I do care, but only a little bit. I care what people who are important to me think, and I do care enough to be kind and considerate. But if I want to wear jeans and t-shirts all my life that’s what I’m going to do even if it’s not appropriate in every situation. If I feel like singing at the top of my lungs while outside, that’s exactly what will happen. This ability comes in really handy when my children ask me to sing “Let It Go” every single waking hour of my life. People look at me like I’m crazy, but that’s OK. Get a life, people. Or even better – join me.
2) I still have temper tantrums.
I am never angry, happy or sad. I’m ANGRY!!!! HAPPY!!!!! and SAD!!!! Yes, with all caps and exclamation marks. I am sensitive. Meltdowns happen. Yes, adults can have meltdowns, too! If you want an example, try standing between me and my food. If you live to tell the tale, you will be faced with a crisis of epic proportions. I am not proud of it, really, I am not. But isn’t it nice to sometimes let go, have a good ugly cry, and scream and yell a little? Yesterday, I did just that, and I’m feeling so much better now!
3) I dream big.
I like to think the word “no” really means “not yet.” If can’t get what I want right now, I will wait. I can wait for a long time if necessary, but if I really put my mind to something, I’ll get it. The adult part of me makes me readjust some of my expectations. But the determination I feel when pursuing my goals and dreams, that’s my inner child at work here. And I’m grateful because my life would be boring without that particular childish part.
4) I love learning new things.
Oh, how I love learning. I always have. It’s mind blowing how much there is to see and discover. I still see anything I don’t understand as an opportunity to learn more about the world. There is no other reason for this desire but “it’s there to be learned.” If you want to make me happy, give me something to learn, a new book to read, a new workshop to attend… anything new to learn, and I will love you forever.
5) I’m an optimist.
I may always talk of doom and gloom, but deep inside, I am a true optimist who believes that people are wonderful and the world is a beautiful place to live. I’m kind of naïve that way. I may be afraid of being hurt or lied to, but I always give people the benefit of a doubt and assume their intentions are good. Does it get me into trouble? Of course it does. It always does. But when people actually turn out to be good, that discovery is just so glorious to me that I can’t possibly describe it.
6) I’m playful and silly.
I’m sometimes serious and boring, but I love to be silly too! It’s actually good that I’m a mom because no one cares when I giggle or laugh out loud, and I enjoy doing these things. I don’t like playing with toys (unless they have a screen), but I do love playing with words. Puns or jokes are an everyday thing in our house, and I think that’s amazing.
7) I have unreasonable fears.
I can be playful and spontaneous, but when things don’t go according to plan, you will find me sobbing in the corner because “that’s not how it was supposed to happen,” and “I’m not prepared to deal with this right now.” I need for things to be logical. Can’t things just always make sense, please? Can’t we always know what lies up ahead? It would make my life much less anxiety-ridden, thank you very much. I guess everyone is scared sometimes, but for a shy person like me, venturing out on my own in a strange place is the adult equivalent of the monster under the bed.
Looking back at this list, I think being childish isn’t all that bad. Of course, there are things that suck like these temper tantrums or that anxiety thing. But I’m working on them, I promise! The other things, however, more than make up for the tantrums, and I truly hope I will still have those traits when I’m 100 years old.
4 Comments
I love #6. We should never grow up and lose our sense of humor. Laughing and enjoying ourselves keeps us young!
Thank you, Maggie! I agree some adult characteristics are great but in many ways, being a child forever is great!
I’m the same age as you, and even after becoming a mom, I never really felt ‘grown up’! Kudos to keeping the child alive in you.
Tarana, thank you for your comment. I often wonder when will I ever feel grown-up.. but years pass and nothing happens!