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?