Becoming an Adult

Philippines
September 16, 2012 10:48pm CST
When I graduated fresh out of college, I was faced with the fear of becoming an adult. I felt like Peter Pan who doesn't want to grow up. I was so afraid of the new responsibilities that I had to face. Little by little, I learned to handle these responsibilities at my own pace. I went to work, earned money, saved money, and helped my family maintain our home. However, there would still be some moments when this fear would haunt me again. My age keeps on increasing each year, and sometimes, I don't feel that I could catch up anymore. It seems that as my age increases, the amount of my responsibilities also increases. Have you ever felt like this? About not wanting to grow up/grow old? How did you handle it?
2 people like this
10 responses
@Juliyan23 (600)
• Indonesia
17 Sep 12
I'm the eldest daughter in my family , we have no brother. And yes,I've been haunting by the fear of becoming an adult . I have to care my young sisters ,and someday my parents will give the responsibility to me completely (I know it will happen sooner or later). And yeah - I'm in a big fear of it right now. I don't know what's my future - I don't know what I will be , or how I will do to cope with this things. All I know is -TODAY - I am trying to be a better person and taking my responsibility. I don't know what will happen , I am not even sure if what I have been doing will give a good or a bad result. But all I know is the God always knows what am I doing for the goodness. Just try to make today is the best day you would have been trough , and see what will happen next day
2 people like this
• Philippines
17 Sep 12
I have the same type of fear myself. I am afraid for the fact that my parents are getting older, and that someday I would be required to take charge of everything and be the parent to my sibling. It's really a big and serious responsibility. But you are right, what's important is that we should make today the best day. We don't know about the future, and it is the unknown that is the scariest. But at the same time, acknowledging that we are afraid could also be a humbling experience. And that we can do only so little if not for God's grace. Thanks for the response, and knowing that other people have the same fear with me made me a little bit braver. Wish you all the best in your future. Happy mylotting!
1 person likes this
• Indonesia
17 Sep 12
first, Thanks a lot for giving a comment in my response. I do appreciate it Well, I must say that it is an advantage of myLot , we could share and meet with the people out there who have the same experiences with us. It is a nice feeling when we meet person that we could talk to comfortably and without a fear of our trouble will become bigger since the people here aren't our neighbors, lectrers, or our boss, you know what I mean right ?
1 person likes this
• Philippines
17 Sep 12
Yes, indeed. I just don't feel comfortable telling other people I know personally about my fears and worries. It feels like I'm being stripped of with my pride and dignity each time I become transparent with them. Mylot is different, and it is indeed beneficial for people like me.
1 person likes this
@Raine38 (12257)
• United States
17 Sep 12
When I was young, I can't wait to be the in charge adult. Whenever anyone asks me, I always say, "5 but I'm turning 6 soon" (even though I just turned 5 lol!). Now that I am the adult, how I wish I can go back to the time when all I care about is what to dress up my Barbie doll next. Now whenever someone asks me how old I am, I can no longer answer in a loud voice (but I don't lie about it). I think it is the fear of falling short of our responsibilities and being a failure that makes us worry over all of these stuff.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
17 Sep 12
Hi Raine, when I was a little child, I loved the idea of getting older. In fact, I would be very mad when other adults guessed my age wrong (usually younger). Now that I'm an adult, I get very happy whenever other people would think that I am younger than my real age LoL. Being young is a bliss. Sometimes, I wish to go back to my childhood days when I have fewer problems. You are right, it's the fear of failure that makes us worry. It requires a lot of courage to face our responsibilities.
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
24 Sep 12
Um... Afraid not. I would assume you greatly enjoyed your youth? I did not. I've always wanted to be older, and the faster the better. This is because I generally don't like life in general, and the quicker it's over, the better I think.
• Philippines
24 Sep 12
Oh.. that's a sad thing to say, andy. But I do get this feeling sometimes. I didn't really enjoy my youth greatly. I was a shy child and many people neglected me. Also, our financial situation was very difficult at that time. I think life still gets better as you get older. But there is an overwhelming amount of responsibilities that awaits you.
• United States
17 Sep 12
I remember having those feelings. I was afraid of how I would survive when my parents were no longer around. I went to nursing school and supported myself. Now I'm much older and physically disabled and now I think what would I do without my daughter. It all works out though. I continue to do all I can to feel independent.
• Philippines
18 Sep 12
Yes, I guess that's how I exactly feel. I am afraid I wouldn't survive without my parents. I grew up under their strict supervision and was used to being sheltered by them. I am afraid that I would lose them before I am even ready. I really admire people who can be independent. You have a great daughter, and you seem to have a strong willpower to long for some independence. Hope things will continue to work out for you.
@francesca5 (1344)
17 Sep 12
that's an interesting question. when i was younger i never felt scared of becoming an adult, but now i am older i wake up scared sometimes thinking i am not one really. but i actually think your way round is more healthy.
• Philippines
24 Sep 12
It is ironic how we wanted to grow up faster when we were still young. But now that we're adults, we are afraid to grow older and how we wished that time could slow down.
@deazil (4723)
• United States
17 Sep 12
No, I never wanted to grow up, either. But now I'm 64 and feel old. And wait until you get to my age. It's very strange when your parents are gone, all your aunts & uncles too and you realize that you are the older generation in your family. I bet you never thought of that. Neither did I. Then when my mother passed away, after a little while, I realized I and my brother and sister were the older generation. We are the grandparents, the aunts and uncle, great-aunt/uncle and, for me, great grandmother. My mother was the last of her family and my father's family (of the older generation) to pass away. It's a strange feeling. Even though inside I still feel like me but when I look in the mirror these days I don't look so much like me. My sister is 74, ten years older than me, and I worry that she's getting older and will be gone before me. She doesn't live near me and only comes home once a year to visit. Enjoy your life. Time is very short. It seems like last week I was 40 and now all of a sudden I'm 64 (almost 65 - next month). Cherish and love your family.
• Philippines
18 Sep 12
I'm sorry for your loss, deazil. It's indeed a strange feeling. You used to be young, and before long, you are already part of the older generation. I know that someday I would become part of the older generation as well. I know that someday, my parents would be gone and they would pass their responsibilities to me. It's a difficult feeling, and worrisome. It's a sad fact that time after time you would see one family member leaving you behind. Time is indeed very short. I will try my best to enjoy life and cherish it. Thanks for the response.
@deazil (4723)
• United States
18 Sep 12
Thanks for commenting. It's appreciated.
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
17 Sep 12
lol i do not want to think of my age.. but well i am not that old yet...but responsibilities are getting heavier but i somehow learned to accept it and just live life.
• Philippines
18 Sep 12
You're right. There's nothing we could do but to just accept it. I try my best not to worry about my age because I know life is very precious, and to grow old is a gift from God.
• Indonesia
17 Sep 12
I feel the same. but everyone has to grow and bear the responsibility as what our parents experienced in their youth. Do not force yourself, live it all naturally. As time pass you will realize that you've grown up in many ways.
• Philippines
18 Sep 12
I agree with you. When I look back to my younger years, I could already see how much I have grown. Maybe I am thinking too much about the problems of the far future, so I feel overwhelmed.
@kokomo (1867)
• Philippines
17 Sep 12
Hi, I thought all of us are afraid to grow old but not to grow up. When I also graduated from college, I was frightened also of what will I be in the next 5 to 10 years.If I could or could not reach my parents' expectation.But an excitement also occured. Excited for the new challenges of life.I handled my fear of becoming na adult by having a confidence and believe in myself that I can do it.
• Philippines
18 Sep 12
Maybe it's because I lack confidence in myself that's why I am afraid to grow up. There are some exciting challenges that come in life, but there are also challenges that are very burdensome for me.
@akagami (250)
• Indonesia
17 Sep 12
become adult is something you must accept it.because you must grow up. yeah sometimes i think become adult is not fun,because we have something so much to do.but become adult we can know who ia,m. and also we can understand what is good and bad for me.that,s all i know
• Philippines
18 Sep 12
We gain more problems as we grow old, and more responsibilities. But you are right, we should accept it.