OPINION: Time to Grow Up

Taylor House Staff Writer

BURSTING YOUR BUBBLE: Often it is recognized that growing up is often seen as a bogged down idea by those of our generation. However, the great thing about growing up is inventing yourself and finding your niche in society.

          It would be fun to meddle with Alice and the Mad Hatter or to be a Lost Boy traveling with the strapping Peter Pan but it is preposterous to think there is, or ever was, Neverland where a child can never age, or Wonderland where you find the place runs on all play and no work. Growing up is a privilege and while irresponsibility seems fun for a while, it is just as it is rooted from, which is irresponsible. Eventually you must grow into who you are to become an independent version of yourself. Now is your time to remove the shackles of expectations and be in charge of the person you will be.

It may be frightening nearing the end of our senior year as boys and girls about to become men and women, but becoming a grown up doesn’t have to mean losing yourself as a person.  Sometimes, getting out of high school,  the place of infinite immaturity and viewing your life as an independent gives you an entirely different perspective. English teacher Stephanie Bullard reflectively comments, “The best thing about being an adult is being able to look at my parents and truly understand the good that they have instilled within me,” and reminisces in saying, “It’s funny how I couldn’t see that when I was in high school.” When you get out of your comfort zone and begin to think for yourself, it becomes apparent that you stop to think about yourself. Life suddenly becomes a little bit more about other people. Planning your future means planning for the family you might create, or the neighborhood you might live in, or the students you were not a few weeks, months, or years ago. With this newfound, selfless view on life you also gain an entirely different level of respect for your parents and what their intentions were, as Bullard found herself.

            We, as youth at our prime transitioning age, have the perfect opportunity to become something we are proud of. Whether that means going against the grain or reforming it, all of this adulthood stuff comes down to is being responsible for yourself and finding your identity. Senior Allycen Kurup comments, “I hope to be a productive, responsible adult who enjoys the things I’m doing with my life.” Not only does she realize what she wants out of life but she also knows what she expects out of herself. Being an adult is glorious because you chose your expectations and maturing means you pay attention less to the expectations of those around you.

            Whoever said becoming an adult meant you had to fit the mold of stuffy, lifeless and conventional person has no idea what it truly means to grow up because growing up is entirely more inviting and eye-opening. Science Teacher Jaci Washam states, “You determine how satisfied you will be in your choices.” Becoming accountable for your own actions and taking on the world by storm is more than an opportunity and the most difficult obstacle you will overcome but you will find, once you get to that point where you are content with who you are and what you have done, that adulthood is a privilege.