By 
Why I don’t want to be Peter Pan
JM Barrie’s Peter Pan is a story about a mischievous boy who never grows up. With endless youth and the ability to fly, he was definitely a source of adult envy, something I didn’t fully understand when I first saw Disney animation at the age of 8.
What was wrong with being an adult?
Sure being a kid was cool; He had a blue Transformer bike that rode everywhere, my Pokemon card collection was admirable, and Saturday morning cartoons were what I lived for. But being older always looked more glamorous; no one yelled at the adults and they could just get in their cars and go wherever they wanted, no questions asked.
My apprehension about growing up grew bigger and stronger as I got older. When I hit puberty at the ripe old age of 12, I assumed I was a grown woman. I took a new attitude where I thought I could do anything, anytime, but my parents constantly rejected me.
I foolishly clung to this belief throughout my teenage years, and it wasn’t until I graduated from college that I realized how ridiculous it was.
Being an adult isn’t about paying rent with your parents’ money or partying all night at the frat house down the street and having to get up at 6am to go to your morning class. Being an adult is about discovering, navigating, and balancing the dark and beautiful sides of life.
I discovered this when I worked at my first job; I worked many tedious hours for a she-devil. I hated him, but he paid for my car and taught me a bunch of things about how the professional world works. It paved the way for my career and here I am finally doing what I love.
But perhaps the most important thing about being an adult is knowing that bad days are always around the corner and knowing that it’s okay not to know how to deal with them. We are prone to mistakes and mishaps; it’s how we get up from them that makes the difference.
So if you find yourself approaching twenties or about to celebrate your 45th birthday with a scowl, remember that ‘grown up’ is pretty cool.
1. You don’t have to do what you don’t want to do.
Your friends are going to this hot new club, but all you want to do is stay, put on your pajamas, order pizza, and watch B-grade movies. The guilt and fear of missing out fades as you get older.
2. You start living for quiet nights.
Maybe invite some friends over for Scrabble and Cranium, or maybe just stay in bed and read, at least it works better for me. What better way to wind down after a long week than to have some peace and quiet?
3. You realize you need a break from people.
Sure, your friends are probably wonderful people, but being around people all the time can be emotionally draining. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be alone.
4. You travel more.
I live for my next vacation and so far I have crossed five countries off my bucket list. The older you get, the fewer people ask about your whereabouts and your plans, which makes traveling less stressful. There’s a beautiful world out there just waiting for your grown-up butt to go and discover it, even if it means going on a solo journey.
5. You realize how wonderful your body is.
As teenagers and college students, we have used and abused our bodies to the point of breaking them. But now that you’re older, you take a step back and slow down. Maybe you eat better, drink less, quit smoking, and take exercise classes because you begin to understand how important health is.
6. You plan your weekend around the distances you need to run.
I usually spend Saturday mornings running my wanderings and pampering myself with a manicure. It’s the perfect way to feel productive and have a little me time.
7. You take fewer photos.
When I was younger, I felt compelled to document every moment by taking photos of what I was doing. Now 26 years old, I can’t even remember taking out my phone or have the patience to take a photo. I try to live in the moment and understand that the memories will always be in my head.
8. You realize that being an adult also means having fun and never losing touch with the child in you.
This is perhaps Peter Pan’s message to his readers. It’s all about balance and navigation!
Being an adult is not so bad; it is a time of self-realization and self-enlightenment, if done correctly. I wonder if Peter Pan feels like he’s missing something now…