Thoughts on Growing Up

Today, I am linking up with Vashelle and linking up with Vashelle and Mia for Write it or Die Wednesdays! Today's prompt is the photo below. And, before I begin with my interpretation of the photo, I thought I'd travel back into one of my English classes a few years ago. If I remember correctly, we were discussing about different underlying themes that found in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in Wonderland. Since, this photo reminds me of a part from the story, I thought I'd talk about one of the most obvious themes.... Growing Up. 

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I remember when I was younger, my parents would always tell me to cherish my childhood and not be so quick to grow up. They always wanted my sister and I to join and be apart of so many extra-ciricular activities, be involved in the community, join different teams, and just be a kid. I never really understood why... But, I do remember the first time I could wait to grow up.

Now that I'm in my third year of university, and graduating with my undergrad next year, the idea of growing up and doing more and more things on my own is just kind of scary. I've literally spent almost 17 years of my in school (from Junior Kindergarten to 3rd year of uni), and I just remember all the pressure there was to get good grades. Good grades to get into high school, good grades to get into university, and good grades to graduate university and potentially attend grad school. I also remember the competition between students based on grades and extracurricular activities in order to move on to the next phase of our lives. I guess I really never got the chance to fully cherish the moments. 

I kind of miss having those recess in elementary school, where my friends and I would just run around without a care in the world. I kind of miss the extra time I had to be apart of clubs and teams I took part in back in high school. I miss spending my free time with family. 

Is it crazy to think that once before I couldn't wait to grow up, but now I kind of just want to stay where I am? 

I'm 20 years old. I still live happily with my parents who pay for almost everything for my sister and I. Although they may constantly nag about certain things, there is no doubt in my mind that they continuously just want what's best for us. Besides the one part-time job I have, and all the studying I do on my own, my parents are the number one people who I can always count on. 

Growing up is just scary, but yet scary. Even though one day I will eventually move out, start my own family, and have my own life, I think it can be very exciting as well as scary. I may or may not know what the heck I am doing with my life, but I would hope it is with someone who has the same goals as I do. 

I think growing up is also sad... There's was something I saw the other day on instagram that really got me thinking. It said something along the lines of:

Love your parents. We are so busy growing up, we often forget they are also growing old.

I may not show it all the time, but I absolutely love my parents, and I owe my entire life to them. I can only image what they feel when they think about my sister and I growing up.