Aging, according to the Oxford dictionary, is the process of becoming older or more mature.
It is the process that sees us transition from being a baby to a toddler, down to our teenage years before clocking 18, which marks the beginning of adulthood in our society. Adulthood can be described as the time of life when one is expected to take responsibility for one’s actions and well-being.
Living as children, there was always the desire to grow up and experience the things we envy adults for, like being free from beatings and punishment by older ones, having the freedom to eat, wear, move around and behave as one pleases.
However, one thing we were not prepared for was the tasks that come with this phase; being responsible for ourselves, our actions, and the consequences that come with it. In other words, the ability to think for oneself and figure things out without prior experience, knowing fully well that you would be at the receiving end of your decision. As much as we looked forward to growing up, we never really had the wisdom to think about the freedom, advantages, challenges, achievements, pressures, and obstacles that adulthood embodies.
Adulthood is learning on the job while appearing like you have it figured out; it is dealing with disappointments and setbacks and is expected to show up like you are fine; it is forging ahead to take a risk while holding your breath for the results; it is watching with a smile your efforts bloom into an achievement for you; it is getting to live those childhood dreams you envisioned; it is watching loved one’s drift away from you while you try to form new bonds; it is dealing with different emotions at the same time; it makes you understand why your mother sometimes stared into the space like she was looking at something and explains why you used to hear your father sigh so deeply from his room.
Adulthood is reminiscing about your childhood experiences and smiling at the foolish things you did. It is you constantly doubting your dreams. It makes you wonder why you envy that sleeping baby. It comes with a lot of learning, unlearning, and relearning, so many things. It is suddenly realizing you are on your own.
It teaches one the art of forgiving, letting go, and accepting. You have to plan for another person’s life (your children) while yours is not fully figured out. Adulthood is all that and more. Above all, it is a beautiful phase to be grateful for.
As young adults that are gradually transcending into this phase, it’s always a roller coaster of emotions that will often leave you confused, but here are a few things to note;
● You are enough: There will be times when you have to doubt your worth, but you should know that you’re worthy and you don’t have to seek validation from people.
● Learn: Always be willing to learn. You will have to rediscover yourself at some point, find your strength, and leverage it.
● Trust the process: It is acknowledging your efforts and hoping it will yield positive results. Always hope for the best.
● Never compare: It is your journey, not theirs, so you have to move at your own pace. Therefore, be patient.
● Gratitude is recognizing and acknowledging the blessings around you, even the tiniest things you take for granted. It will make you appreciate your life more.
● Always try: So many things would look impossible to achieve. Not until you attempt would you realize that it is not as hard as you think.
● Pray: You don’t own your life. There are certain things you don’t have control over. Only your Creator can fix it.
● Be kind: Be kind to everyone regardless. It would surely come back to you and would go a long way in making the world a better place.
