Forever Young

Yay, finally legal!
Photo credit: Meredith Liedtke

It recently dawned on me that I am eighteen years old. Yes, I've been this age since September of last year, but it really just clicked in my brain that I am no longer a child. I'm an adult. I can buy cigarettes and lottery tickets, and I can vote. And I no longer have to answer to my parents about everything I do.

Huh.

It feels like just yesterday that I was sitting on the couch watching Disney Channel eating Spaghettios. Now, I'm in college, taking part in the endless oh-so-joyful experience of job-searching, and I can watch R-rated movies.

Most of the time, being an adult is great- the liberating feeling of just being able to drive wherever I want to is thrilling. But being an adult has burdens too, you know? Searching for jobs sucks. Having to pay for gas sucks. Taking responsibility for your own actions sucks sometimes too.

One thing that I hate is that once you get to the age of eighteen, you're forced to act mature and serious A LOT. Don't get me wrong, maturity and seriousness definitely have a place in our society and should be used sometimes.

But other times, you just have to loosen up. Life is too damn short to be a stuffy, serious person who barely ever laughs and feels that everything in life needs to be approached soberly. And sometimes, by George, you've just got to act like a kid again.

Here are my tips for retaining your inner child:

1. Watch Nickelodeon and Disney Channel.
I'm proud yet occasionally embarrassed at the fact that I watch Nickelodeon and Disney Channel on a pretty regular basis. I don't enjoy small child fare- Yo Gabba Gabba is a bit trippy and weird and most shows are just repetitive and annoying- but iCarly, Good Luck Charlie, and Drake & Josh? Hells to the yes. These shows will make you laugh and you don't have to worry about sexual innuendos and cursing that would make it awkward if your parents were in the room with you.

2. Buy a Happy Meal.
It's a win-win, less food equals less harm to your waistline and you get a toy! What could be better?

3. Color.

Not gonna lie, I was so pumped when my friend
sent me this picture she colored for me in the mail.
Photo credit: Me

You know, coloring is very relaxing. Nothing calms you down from a rough, hectic day quite like a jumbo coloring book and some Crayolas (and if you really wanna be cool, get the 64 pack with the sharpener!) Color a nice picture of Winnie the Pooh and give it to a friend. I guarantee, you will put a smile on their face.

4. Dance and sing in a public place.
You know how kids don't give a crap about who sees them and how loud they're being? Yeah...do that once in a while. Just today, I broke out into the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song (iiiiiinnnnnn West Philadelphia, born and raised...) in Chipotle. Did people stare? Probably. Did I care? Nah.

5. Tell a corny joke.
Where is the best place to park a dog? In a barking lot! Commence the eye rolls and quiet snickering!

6. Watch a movie you liked when you were young.

Side note: Trunchbull used to scare the bajeezus out of me.
Photo credit: Glogster

Matilda is my personal favorite. I used to believe that I had special powers like Matilda, so I used to intensely stare at things and wave my finger in an attempt to move inanimate objects. Yeah, I was a little weird. And I'm damn proud of it!

7. Go to a playground.
My friends Katy, Meredith, and I just did this past weekend. We were a little big for most things, but when I get on a swing, I still feel like that 6 year old girl who felt like she was flying.

8. Go to the toy section of a store.

This is what happens when we go to Walmart at 1 AM.
Photo credit: Ryan Zalimeni

Kids these days have the coolest toys, I swear...

9. Act goofy!

It's a beautiful thing when you find people as weird as you are.
Photo credit: Me

Come on, let your freak flag fly! It's alright to act a little bonkers sometimes, that is what makes life interesting and fun!

10. Spend some time with a youngin.

Crazy kids.
Photo credit: Ramona Stansberry

I have a three year old nephew (who I love to pieces) and he teaches me about how to embrace my inner child every time I'm with him. Seeing him discover new things and be genuinely excited about life and new adventures is really beautiful and even inspiring. And when I play with him, I can feel myself regressing back to my own childhood, and I love every dang minute of it.

So, to whoever reads this, embrace your inner youngster. Go jump rope. Go build a sandcastle. Go watch The Lion King. You'll enjoy yourself, I promise.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'm gonna go make some Spaghettios and watch the Disney Channel.

-tjms
28 July 2011