Wiser Eyes

Today, I have been a grown-up.

There's nothing hugely different about being an adult, it happens almost without realising. I was a slightly anxious child and while I'm not as confident as I could be, it's simpler living in a world where people and processes of life are more straightforward; some things are still daunting, but it's easier to decipher situations and work out how to deal with them.

One of my favourite things about being in control of my own life is being able to eat whatever I want, which seems small, but feels mighty. If I want pancakes for breakfast? I can make them. If I want to have steamed vegetables as a starter because they cook faster, and then have the protein and potatoes to follow after, I can. If I want to eat ice-cream before my main course, no-one is stopping me. It's liberating to be able to cook and choose for myself. Of course it's nice occasionally to have meals prepared for me, but it's great to have the option to pick what I want to eat at any given time of day.

I don't know if I ever dreamed about these things as a kid, but I can imagine some children do. Like, all the stupid things that are out of reach to under-10s and suddenly become available once you become independent. I mean, of course, with great age comes great responsibilities too, but don't forget the power you have. You can stay up past midnight! You can have those sweets from the supermarket! You can watch whatever you like on the TV, even if it's gory or scary or violent or sexy! You can see your friends whenever you like! You can drink alcohol! You can have boys to stay in your room! You can go out by yourself! 

What would mini you want to do?

I think I was always kind of worried about growing-up. I was scared that my signature wouldn't match my credit card, terrified of speaking to people on the phone, wary of paying for shopping in stores.* Today, I have done all of these things without even noticing. I had noodles for breakfast and a doughnut for lunch, because I am a grown-up and being grown-up means I can. 

Flitterbox: Avicii ~ Wake Me Up
Flitterbook: The Rabbit Back Literature Society ~ Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen