I guess this is growing up…

I pray to whatever deity chooses to listen that I never fully grow up.

I know, I know, Peter Pan complex and all that (although in my case it might be more of a Wendy Bird complex…), but honestly? I have seen the best minds of my generation brought down by the social standards of “maturity” (sorry about that Ginsberg!). And it really scares me that I might end up the same way some day.

This was brought up by recent issues with a friend of mine. She’s getting her first real person job soon, getting married in about a year, and is about to turn 25. And so she has decided that her goal in life is to be the pinnacle of maturity. Because getting married is an adult thing.

The problems started when I was lamenting being at a job that wouldn’t let me put pink streaks in my hair. I have for awhile wanted to do hot pink streaks in my hair, just BECAUSE. And this friend made a comment about “Don’t you think we’re getting a little OLD for that sort of thing?”

…okay, that I kind of let slide because, hey, she’s more J. Crew than Hot Topic ANYWAY.

But then, about a week ago, we were discussing plans for her bachelorette party and she mentions not wanting to get drunk because “We’re getting too OLD for that sort of thing!”

Wait, wait, wait. BACK THE FUCK UP.

I am 24…will be 25 in less than a month. I refuse to believe that is “too old” to go out and get drunk with my friends. Or to dye my hair strange colors. Or to listen to bands that supposedly only “teenies” like. I’m sorry I can’t subscribe to a policy on life that has me sitting at home on Friday nights working on my trousseau and laughing gently at those foolish 21 year olds and their wacky plans for the weekend.

I am a firm believer that age is not a number, it is a state of mind. And I sort of pity anyone my age who’s state of mind is that they are too OLD to have fun. That they have to hurry up and grow up because that’s what you’re expected to do. I’m not saying you have to want to go out and get drunk and party all the time, but I am saying that if you’re physically 25 and mentally somewhere in your 60’s? You’re missing out on a lot that life has to offer.

Or maybe I’m wrong. Maybe she’s doing things right and I’m completely off my mark. All I know is that I’m happy with my life and I really hope she can say the same.