THE GIRL WHO WILL GROW UP

Sarah and I recently visited the statute of Peter Pan one foggy afternoon in London. Peter Pan represents so much more than every little boys first Walt Disney movie and my favorite ride at Disneyland. There is so much depth that can be found within the story of this little boy. I decided to reflect and attempt to find the similarities between myself and the boy who chose to never grow up.

Unfortunately, I don’t have much in common with Peter. 

First of all, I hate to fly. The kid lives for it. ‘You can fly, you can fly, you can fly.’ Nah, I’ll pass.

Secondly, and most obviously, he doesn’t want to grow up. He won’t grow up. He stays in Neverland with the lost boys forever. I know my previous post discussed being lost in the right direction, but Neverland is miles away from my current route.

Lastly, he is extremely stubborn.

Okay, well I guess we do have this in common… Depending on who you ask.

Peter finds the idea of growing up daunting. Most of us can relate to this on some level. Bills, taxes, careers, relationships, pressure from family, friends, and social media to have your shit together. It can all be overwhelming. So far, my 20’s have been everything that everyone has prepared me for. Chaotic, confusing, fantastic, exhilarating, painful, educational, and wonderful.

I’ve found myself spending Friday nights in with a glass of wine and a great movie instead of a dark, loud bar. I cherish the mornings I sleep in past 8 AM. My style has completely changed. I no longer fear missing out on a social event. I am content with those around me and just spending quality time with my parents on weekends. I thought I had become quite boring. It got me down. Where did that social, outgoing, up-for-any-invite girl go? And more importantly, who was replacing her?

But after some thought, I realized this is what growing up entails.

Your interests change. You find yourself pinning more home decor pins on Pinterest, and less hangover remedies {though, we all know those get worse the older we get}. Maybe keep a few. Your style changes. The neckline gets higher and the hemline gets longer. Your circle gets smaller. With your cats occasionally the center of it. Things are just different.

I still find myself at many social events. Just now, most are during an afternoon and include wine instead of vodka shots.  I love my new style. I feel more Audrey and less Marilyn. And the people in my life are the good ones. Plus, you can’t consider yourself a cat lady with only two, right?

Regardless of the variety of emotions that come along with growing up and surviving your twenties, it is a privilege not granted to everyone. After losing two very close friends before the age of 24 to the very same disease, my perspective changed.

There are some people who don’t get to choose whether or not they want to grow up. Some would sympathize with Peter and find it an attractive option to never grow up and never face the responsibilities that come along with it. But Peter is a lucky boy to have the opportunity to grow up and shouldn’t waste it.

With 25 on the horizon, I am fully embracing the task of becoming another year older. I am excited for this chapter of my life.  Anything can change at any moment. I should be content with it being my wardrobe rather than my health or any other serious matter.

In the end, I realized I have much more in common with Wendy.

“You need not be sorry for her. She was one of the kind that likes to grow up. In the end she grew up of her own free will a day quicker than the other girls.”