ADULTING: Reflections on Growing Up

As I was starring at my computer at work, on my fourth day of 11 hours shift, running out of gaz… a personal message pops up:

« Veux pu jouer » (I don’t want to play anymore) 

I knew exactly what it meant.

It made me reflect on a question that I was asked before: if you could talk to your younger self, what advice would you give her? Oh boy, would I ever have an earful today!

Dear young Janine,

Don’t rush to adulthood- E N J O Y your youth. Adulting is not as glamorous as it sounds. There’s plenty of adult years to come, and so very few youth’s. You are lucky, you have it SO easy right now.

No-one will care about your grades when you are in a meeting at work in the futur. No-one.

Take every opportunity to hang out with your grandparents. Listen to them. They have stories that one day, you’ll wish to repeat.

Don’t rush to university because it’s « the normal thing to do »: Take your time. Get to know who you are, what you want, your passions.

Live, Laugh, Dance.

Quit worrying about what others think. No matter what it is, it will all be forgotten.

It’s not the end of the world. Your heart heals. Get over it. You’ll find love when your soul is ready.

Seriously, s t o p s t u d y i n g so much. Go out. Your friends won’t be there forever- some will leave sooner than you think. Or, they’ll be too busy when they have a family of their own.

You’re free. Be young. Savour EVERY moment.

And hug your mom damnit! You have no idea the love she has for you. She’s adulting, it’s not easy… a hug from you will mean the world to her.