Thoughts On Adulthood
“Is the age of eighteen a new beginning,
or is it an era or responsibility?”
As one ages it becomes difficult to imagine oneself as a child; an innocent child - not yet exposed to the harsh reality of the outside world. Concepts become more abstract, more challenging to grasp and debate amongst peers, free thinking and the right of free speech adapts to one’s new found coming of age.
Stresses mount, pressures increase, conformity is praised over individualism, friendship more important than self fulfillment. Along with the additional aspects to life only a legally recognised adult has to worry about, mostly encompassing the responsibility that parents are quick to bestow on their newly discovered adult son. Free time erodes away due to commitments we are expected to keep, commitments that never crossed our minds as children.
As I read back over this, I realise part of this post could fit very well as a verse on an 18th Birthday card - or a rant to the left hand side. But the time has passed, it is too late, the birthdays have come and gone, the cards delivered into the eager recipient’s hands. So life continues to steadily progress…
