I was flipping through the diaries I wrote as a teenager before bed tonight, and I realized how full of energy I used to be. Back then, even though I was under a lot of pressure, I was always hopeful about the future. Now, life feels pretty dull—just the same repetitive routines day after day. Then it hit me: maybe this is what growing up looks like?
I know the way I realized this feels a bit on the negative side, but I’m curious how others see growth. Has there ever been a moment when you suddenly felt like you weren’t the same person anymore? I use diaries to track my changes—what about you?
There’s a long period in between when you’re not wishing for either.
The “mid-life crisis”, whenever it happens, starts the wishing-you-were-younger phase. At first, it’s noticing that younger people are rejecting you for being “old”, but you don’t feel any older. Then you start to feel older, and, hopefully, you gracefully accept that you are. In spite of that, though, you are still yourself–the difference seems to be in everyone else.
That is why old people yell at clouds. No one else will listen.