Have you ever wondered what portion of your life made you happier? Were you happier as a child or as an adult? When I was in elementary school, being in 5th grade seemed like such a big deal. To be the oldest kids in the school seemed so cool. As a 5th grader you could be a safety or work on service squad. I personally couldn’t wait to be a safety (which I got to do as a 5th grader). How awesome it seemed to be able to be in charge of everyone on the bus. To be able to stand up and walk around while the bus was moving would be so fun I couldn’t wait. Another perk was, cold days offered hot cocoa for all the safety’s before heading off to class. Service squad held no interest for me. You helped a teacher correct papers which seemed more like being stuck with homework. Lunchtime would be spent sitting with a class of 1st graders instead of your own friends. The job held no appeal for me. When I was young, I remember being in such a rush to grow up. I thought high school looked so grown up. I couldn’t wait until I could drive, wear makeup and stay out late. This happened again and again. If only I was this age or that age, oh the things I would be able to do.
What I’ve come to realize is that as an adult, there are fewer moments to get excited about. I looked forward to going out with friends without a curfew, getting married, having kids and having my own place. I couldn’t wait to decorate my own space to really reflect me. Picking out utensils was as important as what sofa I ended up with. Each would reflect my own personal choices. The funniest thing was the excitement over grocery shopping. What an incredible experience I would have when I could walk into my kitchen, open my cupboards and the refrigerator and all of the food would look delicious because everything I had picked out I loved. I remember doing my shopping, getting everything unpacked at home and throwing open every cupboard door and the refrigerator just to stare at all of the good things in the house to eat. What good thing would I eat first was this ultimate feeling of comfort for me.
Pretty much after my 20′s, the excitement died out. I lost the big moments. There weren’t really any great exciting things left that gave me that childlike excitement that I used to feel. I can go on trips out of the country, change my career plans 100% from where I thought I was heading and try out a million new hobbies, but I am unable to get that fresh, overwhelming, oh my g-d feeling of I can’t wait anticipation that I got as a child.
I think that this is something I must investigate. I need to figure out how to get that sort of excitement back. Is it that I am not challenging myself enough? I know I’ve taken on things that are completely foreign to me and turned them into something special. I think though, that I need to find the things that are as close to something I’ve never experienced in any way. Something that causes a little fear and trepidation in its undertaking.
When we were kids, there was a sort of road map that everyone knew of. You saw older kids doing the things you couldn’t wait to do. Books and magazines would discuss in great detail all of the adventurous times that you would have as you got older. There is nothing like that to guide you once you are an adult. There is college, a career, marriage, buying a home and kids. Not all of these things listed are what everyone wants, but the point being, what happens next? The kids grow up and you might have grandkids. What if you decide not to have kids? Seriously, what happens next? Is it possibly the seriousness of adulthood with the bills and responsibility of taking care of yourself and possibly others that puts the damper on the excitement?
Personally, I like my adult years better. There have been some tremendously horrible moments in my adult life, but just the thought that I’m in a position where I can choose what happens next makes it my favored time of my life. So the trick remains to find the excitement. I miss that feeling of looking so forward to something that I feel like I will burst with excitement. My life is fine, happy and content. My life is also a little drab, boring and worn. I think it’s time to rile myself up and put a little spark back into my everyday life and see where that gets me.
I would love to know what you think. Was being a kid or an adult more fun for you? Please let me know what your opinion is.
Wendy McCance
To contact Wendy McCance about a writing assignment, interview or speaking engagement, please email her at: [email protected]
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I remember a gal in our town who was a Bully: a Big bully. I think she had a blackboard at her house and was naming names and crossing them out as she beat them up. Not one guy would ever challenge Donna. How rough a gal was she? When she got her license to drive she would speed up and down the highway until she finally drove her car into a tree and the rest is history; past history.
It so happens that the movie Bully 2012 is scheduled to run in our little town of Manlius, NY tonight, April 20th and they recently dropped the R rating to PG13 so more kids could attend. They dumped many of the swear words to receive this new rating.
Cheers, Don
That’s horrible.
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It’s all over except for the remembrance that never leaves me.
Cheers, Don
An adult. The danger kids are in today from drugs and suicide-causing bullying is a nightmare beyond any of the rough stuff even I went through as a kid.
Hi Rebecca, I agree that if I were still to be a kid, I would want it to be back when I was growing up. I don’t like how the world has become so techy that kids will spend time on Skype or Facebook instead of just actually seeing each other. As far as bullying, there are so many additional ways to reach out to a kid and terrorize them because of all of these applications.
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I would only go back if I could take what I’ve learned so I could do it better. My body might be aging but my mind will always be young!
Love it! What good is life if you can’t be young at heart.
Absolutely !
I love where I am in my life now. I have done a lot of things and seen alot more. I am thankful for every twist and turn. I am only saddened that my body has it’s own adgenda, but one learns how to keep it on the back burner and work through it. I have good memories and look forward to the rest of what life will surprise me with! So my vote is for adult years!
Hi Liz, Great answer. I didn’t even think to look at it from a body point of view. I do definitely miss my younger body. I wish I had not taken it for granted and had been more athletic.
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Hi Claire,
I know where you are coming from, and I also enjoy the present state and look forward to tomorrow as well. I know where I want to be going, and it’s starting to happen that way. The writer and storyteller I started out as, has grown, matured, learned valuable life lessons, and now I can help others, instead of being on the receiving end during my younger days. Cheers!
Where eagles fly,
Don (Greywolf) Ford
Author of “Death & Taxes” (Gee, today is tax day) LOL and “Royal Ferdinand”- both at Amazon
My husband was talking to his 16 year old daughter last, who’s desperate to be independant! She said I can’t wait to be 18 and he said I wish I was 16 again! I looked at both of them and though like you, had some horrible moments in adult life I can truly say I would NEVER want to be a teenager again! When I hit 30 it was like “Ah now life’s good!” old enough to be taken seriously and young enough to enjoy, which at 45 I still feel the same way. My friends talk about their youth and cling to it as though that was their defining moment in time, and when I travel or discover something totally new, like riding the train into the city and seeing the skyline of Manhattan or the beach, it’s like a whole new adventure, staying in the present:)
What a wonderful comment. Thanks so much for sharing. It’s always so great to get other peoples point of view.
A “Young Man” of about 86 years walked up to me at a jewelry counter and was just beaming ear to ears. I’m 86 today and still feel young with my whole life ahead of me.”
“Well, what do you want to be when you grow up then?” I just had to ask!
“I know I don’t ever want to be a kid again; I had to lie when I was nine and say I was twelve in order to get a job. I don’t want to be a grown-up either, since they have way too much responsibility. So I’m not sure what I do want to be when I get older.”
“The good news is you’re still young and have lots more time to decide.” Then the gentleman smiled as he headed quickly out of the store on to his next adventure. (True Story)
Where eagles fly,
Don (Greywolf) Ford
Author of “Death & Taxes” and “Royal Ferdinand” at Amazon
That’s just incredible.
When I go to retirement homes and share storytelling and Poetry with the ‘OLDER KIDS’ there, I try to share this poem each time. See link at bottom, National Poetry month winner for April in Midwest, U.S.
There is a lot to be said for the innocence of childhood. Cheers!
Where eagles fly,
Don (Greywolf)
Author of “Death & Taxes” at Amazon
1st poem selected for April - National Poetry Month in Midwest Poetry Reading group.
http://communitypoetry2012.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-1st-poem.html
I went ti the link and read the poem. You really have a lot of talent. It was beautiful.