Young is a relative term. At times, I feel I stopped being young when trick-or-treating and jumping inside bounce houses became unacceptable. Yet, some people view me as a kid. So what’s the deal? Am I young if I still enjoy Disney World (which I do)? Am I young as long as I’m still in school? Or did I really “grow up” the moment I turned 18?
Many say age has nothing to do with it. It’s all about attitude. Others equate youth with naivete. When we’re young (define it as you will), we can’t wait to grow up. We long for self-made privileges and no restrictions. But then we get older, and we miss those care-free days of childhood.
I won’t lie. My heart broke the first Christmas season I wasn’t allowed to ride the train at the mall…
But doesn’t every stage of life offer opportunities to feel young? Throughout college, I’ve experienced incredible moments of both youth and maturity. Amidst the spontaneous road trips and late night adventures, I have also maintained a stellar GPA and gathered PR experience through professional internships. In a few months, I will have my degree and be fully immersed in my career, but I don’t ever want to completely “grow up.”
And I’m willing to bet others, of all ages, feel the same way. So how do we “stay young” forever? Disagree if you will, but I think it all boils down to living out our childhood dreams.
When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a dancer on Broadway. I started Tapping at three years old and didn’t quit until I turned 14. Maybe it was the transition into high school or just a basic rut, but for whatever reason, I grew out of it. I loved Tap, but I had developed another dream…becoming a big-time magazine or newspaper columnist. Not a reporter, but a highly sought after opinion columnist with quirky writing and fresh insight.
Now, my dream is to be a public relations professional, and I’m pretty sure this one will stick. But still, I can’t help smiling when I remember my childhood ambitions. And to this day, I think it is important to live out those passions in some way or another.
I started this blog because it’s my very own column. Except without the deadlines and editors. It is my special place where I can share information, offer opinions and contribute to larger conversations. And call me crazy, but I refuse to spend my last semester at Florida State University only taking communication classes and internships. I’m seizing the opportunity to also take a Tap AND Contemporary dance class. The way I see it, I have my whole life to be a “grown-up,” but there should always be time for fun as well.
What are you doing to stay young?
01/27/10 at 2:39 pm
Absolutely terrific post to hit mid-week and kick off the day! I’m 36 (I know it seems old), but I don’t feel any different than I did 10 years ago. I try to stay young by running around with my kids and my nieces, exercising, and staying involved with things that keep my mind fresh.
Last year, I was hired by the NY Mets Triple A team to be their public address announcer. I get to watch baseball all summer long and there is nothing better to keep you young that baseball, in my opinion.
Best,
Jason
01/27/10 at 3:11 pm
Jason,
I’ll say the same thing to you that I said to Valerie. You do NOT seem old. Wise, yes, but not old! 36 actually seems quite young to accomplish everything you have and I’m glad that you’ve gotten to experience success while still having a fantastic time! I think it’s so important for passion/hobbies to be somewhat included in your professional life…more on that next week
Lauren
01/27/10 at 2:59 pm
I hear you on this one…I used to say that my favorite thing about being a “grown up” is that I can stay up late, jump on the bed and eat ice cream for breakfast if inspiration strikes
Like, Jason, I probably seem old, but hanging out with my 3 year old has helped unleash the kid in me. We don’t go to bed (but we do race to get into his rocket ship each night). He doesn’t eat “granola bars” but creates a “giraffe’s neck”. I’m no longer too embarrassed about my lack of musical talents to burst into song & have been pausing quite a bit more to contemplate the constant question of “Why?”
Growing up does mean taking on new responsibilities, but try not to let that stand in the way of your sense of cretivity, fun, and love for learning. It’s okay to “grow up”… just keep growing and know that it is okay to have some fun doing so!
01/27/10 at 3:08 pm
Valerie,
First, you don’t seem old at all. Wise, yes, but not old! I feel like college is a fantastic limbo period between adolescence and true adulthood. Soon enough, I will get a REAL taste of the real world, big bills and all! But still, there are advantages to every age and I plan to look for those opportunities to be creative and have fun (like you said) regardless. Thanks for commenting!
01/27/10 at 10:39 pm
Lauren,
Isn’t it weird that staying young usually seems to involve being active (dancing, jumping, ect)? Maybe the key to youth is just to keep moving, and don’t let a job slow you down. This is gonna sound crazy, but I’ve been doing a lot of handstands lately – part of my workout program, yes, but entirely fun and reminds me of playing “Ninja” in my front yard. Good thing my office has a door!
Like Valarie and Jason, I’d agree that youth is a state of mind. Here’s to living forever young! (bad 80′s reference… ehhhh… long day.)
Micah V.
01/28/10 at 4:27 am
You raise a great point, Micah! Although I alluded to it, I didn’t realize that my “staying young” references did tend to relate to being active. It’s true, though, that kids always keep moving. They have an excitement for life and standing still just doesn’t cut it. Even if we can’t physically keep going all the time, we should strive to keep that childlike excitement at least mentally. How old we feel really is a state of mind and I have to admit that I’d rather feel like a little girl than an old lady! Thanks for commenting!
01/28/10 at 5:21 am
Hey Lauren,
Once again another great post. Like you, the world of college and the early days of a communication career feels like it’s sped-up the process of getting older and more mature–which in itself is a great thing.
However, as Jason, Valerie and Micah have commented, you’ve got to balance that with the little things in life that keep you young outside your professional life. For me, all I need to do is get on one of my bicycles and I’m 5-year-old again– a magical feeling.
As one of my best cycling buddies uses as the title of his blog- “I feel like a little kid when I ride my bike”.
Best wishes from Australia,
Jamie
01/28/10 at 1:52 pm
Hi Jamie,
Thanks for the kind words! It’s always flattering to hear when someone actually follows my blog. I think it’s great that you find that joy from riding bikes. I can imagine I would feel the same, riding in Australia! It sounds like a fun and exciting place. Riding bikes is also a great way to stay healthy and it’s funny that Micah’s point is proven again…that we associate youth with being active! Thanks for taking the time to ready my blog and comment on it
Lauren
01/29/10 at 12:36 pm
Hey Lauren – love this post, and I completely agree – you have to find the time to find that inner “kid” within.
Linked to your post and gave a brief summary in today’s “Friday Quick Hits” over at Life Without Pants! Check it out –>
http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/friday/friday-quick-hits-grow-some-balls-stay-young-and-cheers-to-new-opportunities/
01/29/10 at 5:23 pm
Thank you so much for including my post in your “Friday Quick Hits!” You have no idea how flattered I am. I honestly thought this post would be more for me than anyone else; a post that wouldn’t receive too many comments, RT’s or recognition, but I was so wrong! I guess everyone just related well to it, and I’m glad that there are so many “kids” out there in the professional world. Thanks again, Matt! Your blog truly inspires me.
01/31/10 at 10:49 pm
Great post Lauren! It got me thinking about my life overall and those around me and I’ve come to some conclusions. On a regular basis I find people telling me that I’m growing up too fast and all that nonsense. When in fact, I’m as “young” as they get! Being an entrepreneur I don’t have the time to go out every weekend and party but I do have the time to keep make my 20s a blast.
For me, the best way of staying young is by doing things i enjoy! I think that people who get old – in fact “get old” because they stop doing the things they actually enjoy. I think the best way for people to stay young is to go out and spend time with kids. They are still innocent minded little creatures who truly enjoy living. I volunteer every time I get a chance at a local Boys & girls club and think that its what keeps me not only young but sometimes sane. A few other things I do include…
Refusing to pretend I like vegtables.
Refusing to pretend Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches aren’t amazing.
Refusing to pretend that I think Video Games are for kids.
Refusing to pretend making silly faces in the mirror makes me crazy.
I refuse to let the world make me old. I love this quote and live by it:
We do not quit playing because they grow old; we grow old because we quit playing. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
01/31/10 at 11:01 pm
Ross,
What a thoughtful comment! I completely agree with you that our age is what we make of it. It’s true we can’t live forever, but we can always retain our youth by taking pleasure in the little things! I like your idea to go out and spend time with kids. No kid will ever judge you for being too playful or goofy. And that’s just wonderful. Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting!
Lauren
P.S. I dislike vegetables too
01/31/10 at 11:07 pm
I try to do something fun and young every day. Something adventurous. Last night I went on a full moon hike. Tonight I’ll be going out for donuts. It helps. =)
02/03/10 at 12:42 pm
[...] been contemplating the importance of “staying young” for a couple weeks now and even blogged about it last week. I suggested that by living out our childhood dreams, in one way or another, we can retain those [...]