The road to adulthood (From Your Local Guardian)

The road to adulthood

12:52pm Sunday 10th August 2008 in

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The road to adulthood is no doubt a long and complicated one. There are a few detours on the way and some of us arguably never make it there in the first place. There are those desperate to become an adult, striving to take a short cut while for others, the road seems endless.

From a young age, the life of an adult has always been one that has appealed more to me. Being a child, with the rules, regulations and boundaries, the dull school routine and ultimately, the lack of freedom was a part of my life I would have been all too happy to fast-forward. Adults seemed to live far more glamourous, care-free lifestyles- going out when one wants to, making ones own decisions and living life the way one wants to.

We reach stages in our lives where we begin to feel a lot older. A step closer to the independent, stable and grounded person we all want to be become. The first job- the first step to financial freedom! I still remember the satisfaction of earning my first paycheck. I went straight to H&M and bought myself a sweater, so satisfied in knowing that it was completely mine. The first proper boyfriend- where going out actually involves going somewhere other than the playground corner. The examinations, pieces of paper and letters which will soon define our future. Something kicks in- you have to begin to take yourself more seriously.

And then there are the situations where you are forced to grow up. When a loved one passes away and this time it's you holding your mother's hand, telling her everything's going to be ok. When you make life decisions that become mistakes, and sometimes it's only you that can pick yourself up. Being an adult is about taking responsibility.

Perhaps my childhood vision of an adult was a little naive. Maybe sometimes it is easier to have someone else make decisions for us, for somebody else to tell us what to do and show us the way. Despite being a little older, there are still rules, regulations and boundaries to adhere to. Bills to pay for, people to support and a life to lead.

My biggest fear is growing up with regret. Though I am excited to be my own person, make my own decisions and lead an independent lifestyle, there is the worry that the decisions I make and the pathways I choose to take will lead me somewhere I don't want to be. The decisions we make as children most definitely affect the adults we become.

Perhaps the trick is to enjoy now. The future will sort itself out as long as we do in the present. Though being an adult is something to look forward to, I think I can wait a while before I have to worry about bills to pay, places to stay and dare I say it- the pattering of small feet.

The road to adulthood is a long and complicated one, but we're all on the way so we might as well enjoy the journey.