Growing up is really weird and while it’s an exciting time it can also be pretty uncomfortable.
I’m currently in my twenties, I’m 24, and there’s a lot to navigate with this topic.
You start having a lot of changes. And changing is scary, whether it’s moving out, whether it’s finishing high school or college, starting a family, starting a new life, getting married, starting a job,… Any big life change is terrifying. And when you start having these changes, you might have these thoughts: “I’m getting older“, “This isn’t all fun and games anymore.”, “I am actually an adult now”.
So many of us as children were so excited to grow up. All we could think about is being 18, coming an adult, and not being a kid anymore. And we don’t realize that until we’re not kids anymore and we start realizing that this is actually hard.
And this is not to scare anyone but I’m just saying what I feel and based on my own experience. Because sometimes growing up and moving out for the first time is so romanticized that we start having all of these expectations and we realize that it’s not as easy as it seems.
l am already not living with my parents, and let me tell you, this is really fun, I have the opportunity to create my own life, but there’s so much more than that. You never fully value something until it’s gone. When I was in my parent’s house, I couldn’t wait to move out to my own place, and then, once I did it, despite being an exciting time, I didn’t realize how much I was going to miss it.
To anyone in high school or maybe in college and you’re reading this, remember this: when I was in high school, I was always looking forward to the next thing, to going to college, starting a job, moving out. This is obviously very exciting and it’s good to have things to look forward to, but sometimes when you’re looking too much into the future, you forget about the life you already have in the present moment.
We’re constantly worried about the next step and the next. When you’re in high school, you can’t wait to go to college, and then when you were in college you can’t wait to graduate, to be done with school forever, and when you finish college, or if you don’t go to college, high school, and then school is over, you maybe start question yourself “what am I doing with my life?”, “what career am I going to pursue?”, “what am I going to do with the rest of my life?”.
You have to figure out what you’re doing next and that’s a really scary thing because I don’t think a lot of people know, I don’t even know sometimes what I’m going to do next. And that’s completely okay.
I feel like once you get to a certain age, maybe in your twenties, is when you start experiencing the feeling that there’s this unwarranted feeling of rushing things.
People start asking when you get are getting married, when you want to have kids, start affirming that by this age you should be secure in your career making money, that you should have a house, or this or that. And I know that’s hard to have this kind of pressure all the time, you start feeling like a failure in a way because you don’t have it all figured out yet. And you don’t have to. I don’t have it either.
There are so many different directions that life can go in and you’re going to have so many different choices in life. And everyone can’t live the same life. Everyone has different paths and timelines. And that’s the beauty of life.
If you are going through this transition, never forget these reminders:
- No one has all the answers. You’re going to spend a lot of time figuring things out.
- Be kind with your own process
- Time is precious, don’t waste it.
- Don’t let other people’s opinions guide your life.
- You will face rejections. But that doesn’t mean you’re not good or a failure.
- Life is not a linear line, there are all these ups and downs. You may feel confused from time to time but that’s okay.
- If it won’t matter in 5 years, don’t spend more than 5 minutes worrying about it.
I could talk about this topic for hours but I think that’s all for today. (You can buy my ebook if want to read more about this topic, about my life’s experiences, advice, tips, and so on).
What’s your biggest fear about growing up? And what are you most excited about?
See you in the next week, love you all ❤
Thanks a lot for this article! I feel exactly de same. I love your articles and your app. I’m glad good people as you existe in this world. As an INFP, I feel more relieved…
I have to planify an immigration project to canada it will be a new life with my husband and kids far away from my parents and sisters, nowadays I am happy sad confused scared and worried about what the future holds for us but I believe in god and his mercy everything will be OK inchalah (arabic word means if god wants it)
Love it 👏
I will be graduating in college in one month and this is what haunts me all the time.
I cannot believe you are so young! You have an old soul! I am more than twice your age, and every day learn from your teachings. Thank you for being yourself, and sharing.
This made my day❤❤
Hey I just love love ur blogs……even i write blog nd would love to write a article for u in ur upcoming book……..plz give me this opportunity I’ll not let u down ……❤️❤️
Thank you 🌻
My biggest fear is that one day my love ones are going to death and i am most excited about living my life on my own , exploring different things ,having experiences and a lot more
Thank you for your positive messages. ❤️
Thank you for your positive thoughts 🌻😌
,Navya💫
This is so encouraging. It feels nice when all this things happen to us as we grow up and can atleast relate with someone knowing we are not alone. It’s crazy how people make certain thing a big deal forcing one to feel so much pressured about life. Thank you for sharing this touching post🙏. Keep on big a light to the world✨. I always love reading your posts and enjoy using your app. Growth and progress in everyway. ❤️
Today is my birthday. I’m glad i found this beautiful article. It’s all about timing. At this moment i just enjoy my life at my own pace. And it was addicting… I just slow down everything, relax, and take a breathe⛅💙 what a beautiful hidden blessings. Thanks God for every little things💛
I am happy today see this post, thanks so much
For exactly what you have said is what I am many others around me are passing through
Noting all what you have said I have gather alot
God bless you
In the past days, I’ve felt so much axiety and confusion thinking and worrying about my future. Basically, I had so many dreams and ilusions about this point of my life, graduating from college and finding a job. It has not been as I though. Growing is painful and not so cool, but it feels great to know that I’m not the only one experiencing it. Your post has provided me some relief. Thank you so much!
Thank you 😍❤️.it’s true words ❤️
I am kind of relieved after reading this, I thought it was just me who worries about these things but no there is this someone who thinks the same.
I am happy to read this, it’s true life is more about enjoying the present rather than running for future.
Thanks for much appreciated no one has it figured out 😄🤟
I love this article,
It’s really say what i am experiencing.
Thank you for this post. Was a really good reminder and a smack in the face to slow down a little.
Growing up, and even now, I have this idea that my value and worth were a consequence of my accomplishments. I always seem to measure my self-worth with the number of things I achieve in life, or how many expectations I meet of people (especially my mom). But yesterday, in a podcast I heard this line and it really got me thinking. It was – “Your accomplishments are consequences of your values. Not the other way.”
And I really want to keep learning that. To have good values, do good, be good, and know who I am for myself and not for anyone else. If I achieve things and pass through different milestones, then good. But if not, I am still worthy of love and kindness.
Thanks for reminding! ✨ This is my first time reading this post and it really helps me to feel better now that I’m about to turn 20 in the next three months. I never went to college anymore because my parents can’t afford it. So I have to question myself what am I gonna supposed to do to be more productive so I found and installed your app and I really fell in love with it.
I’m in high school right now and I can totally relate to things you mentioned in this article. I feel so much pressure to succeed, get into a nice college, and have a stable or high-earning career. Sometimes I wonder when can I take it easy, will it be after I retire? I’m that type of person that over thinks and worries alot so I’m thankful for the valuable insights I’ve taken from reading this article.
I actually don’t have this insecurity of growing old and I understand time is running out, so don’t waste your time. Life is short and make it large. Thank you
Thanks for the article. Growth phases become painful when you start to add on bad memories along with good ones. Then those bad memories keep on visiting you. And your find yourself not that focussed and efficient like you used to feel earlier before understanding the world and human relationships in real terms.
And when you see that how your peers have progressed because they had the right exposure about career choices, life partner choices etc at the time of choosing. But you made the other choice, which has got you where you are today. And now you’re on the edge of your late 20s and you’re still not employed. You’re still working on yourself. Now with other familial responsibilities. And growing environmental pressure. Aging.