ADULTING

AAdulting feels terrifying. The thought of leaving behind the comfort of home, the warmth of loved ones, and stepping into the unknown is overwhelming. The realization that meeting your friends will now be limited to holidays, catching up on life rather than living it together, hits differently. The fear of failing a test you worked so hard for lingers like a shadow. The worry of not being good enough, of not meeting expectations, weighs heavy. But above all, the thought of being alone—truly alone—is the scariest of all.

Adulting is a phase of major transitions. It is when we start to see the world through a different lens, where responsibilities replace carefree days, and self-discovery becomes an ongoing journey. It is the time we start to understand not just ourselves but also those around us. It is the moment when we begin shaping our future, deciding who we want to be and what path we want to take. And yet, amidst all this change, we often forget something important—we are still a child at heart.

This transition happens so suddenly that we barely have time to process it. One day, we are kids with endless dreams, and the next, we are expected to have everything figured out. There is no gradual shift, no manual to guide us through the storm of changes. We go from being asked what we want to be when we grow up to being thrown into a world that demands answers. The weight of expectations presses down, making us question our choices and our abilities. But no matter how old we grow, the child in us never truly disappears. It still peeks through in moments of joy, in bursts of laughter, in the small things that bring us comfort.

Please, don’t leave that child behind. That younger version of you once dreamed of the person you would become. That child looked forward to the future with bright eyes and endless hope. That child imagined a life filled with happiness, adventure, and fulfillment. No matter how much the world changes around you, hold on to that innocence, that wonder, that unshakable belief in happiness.

As we grow, we often let go of the things that once brought us joy. The hobbies we once loved become distractions from productivity. The dreams we held so close seem too unrealistic. The simple pleasures that made us smile feel childish. But why should growing up mean letting go of what makes us happy? Why should adulting mean silencing the parts of us that once made life so magical?

Being an adult does not mean you have to have everything figured out. It does not mean you have to be serious all the time, nor does it mean you should stop dreaming. Responsibilities will always be there, and challenges will come and go, but amidst the chaos, don’t forget to nurture the child within you. That child is the one who believed in you before you knew the struggles of the world. That child had faith in your ability to succeed. And that child, even now, is rooting for you.

Even when others move forward, take a moment to pause, to breathe, and to appreciate how far you’ve come. Life isn’t just about rushing ahead—it’s about cherishing each step of the journey. You are allowed to take detours, to stumble, and to start over. You are allowed to feel lost, to question, to wonder. And most importantly, you are allowed to hold on to the things that make you happy.

The world will try to shape you into what it wants you to be. It will tell you to let go of dreams that don’t seem practical, to prioritize success over joy, to be someone who fits a mold rather than someone who embraces their uniqueness. But you don’t have to listen. You don’t have to let go of what makes you, you.

Keep that child in you alive. Keep dreaming, keep hoping, and most importantly, keep living. Chase the things that set your soul on fire, hold onto the dreams that make your heart race, and never stop believing in the magic of life. Because at the end of the day, growing up isn’t about losing yourself—it’s about discovering who you were meant to be while staying true to who you’ve always been.