Week 79 - "One of the signs of passing youth is the birth of a sense of fellowship with other human beings as we take our place among them" – Virginia Woolf
Sorry for the late one!
Maturing happens in interesting ways.
It’s never a moment or an age that it “hits” you, rather, it's a gradual process that you never notice in the moment. One day, you’re doing the thing, solving problems, “being an adult,” and the next, you look back and realize you’re doing everything you used to see people older than you do.
It’s probably just weird to me because I grew up seeing older individuals have a certain type of lifestyle or way of handling problems that I never really thought about, but somehow ended up replicating. Even right now, as I finish up my summer, I look back at who I was 12 weeks ago, and can’t even recognize him.
Obviously, there’s some part of that that’s normal. Everyone “grows up.” But I think there’s a difference between growing and maturing.
In my opinion, everyone grows up. It’s an inevitable part of life. You both physically get older and go through the associated experiences with each age. That’s normal.
But maturing? I don’t think everyone matures.
And I’m well aware that a 20-year-old talking about “maturing” is ironic at best, but as someone currently in that process, I still think I can speak to it.
To me, maturing is all about becoming more equipped for life. “Doing the thing” is the best way I can put it. It’s not something you really ever set out to do, but rather something that happens as a process of trying to live a meaningful life.
And unfortunately, maturing doesn’t happen at the same time for everyone. It’s something that happens whenever you start taking the steps to truly take responsibility for yourself and your actions.
I should caveat that I’m well aware that some people are forced to mature much earlier than others due to circumstances like personal loss, financial hardship, or other life-altering events, and that makes sense. However, I still think there’s a general age range where one should try to do the whole “adult” thing and mature.
I’m also well aware that many people look at maturing like it’s the end of youth. Many talk about “being mature” like it’s something for people who take themselves too seriously or hate having fun. And honestly, I’ve never agreed with them. I won’t disagree that there’s a certain beauty about the innocence of childhood. However, I also think there’s something beautiful about maturing and growing into an adult. You have the opportunity to become whatever you want and make your future exactly what you envision.
It’s inevitable that at some point in your life, you’ll probably have to do the whole “adult” thing. And when it comes, try and look back every now and then to see the person you’re becoming. You might be surprised at how proud your younger self would be.
At least, I know I was.
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