I suck at this whole “responsible adult” thing.
Sure, I can be (convincingly) courteous and (relatively) charming when the situation demands it, but it’s difficult for me to really adapt to being a fully-formed, contributing member of society. I know the code of conduct and how I should act, but it’s not completely in my character to do so.
When I’m driving in my car with the windows up, I’ll have my music on loud and sing into my closed cell phone as if it were a microphone. I sing to the other drivers at stop lights. I make my passengers sing backup vocals. I do this all the time.
Last week, my dog woke me up by farting in my face. I got my revenge two days later when I woke her up by farting in her face. I see this as acceptable behavior.
During a debate with a friend over the merits of the potential health care bill, things got particularly heated. I called him a poopy-head. I accept this as a valid point in an argument.
I’m at an age where my friends are getting married and starting families, and I still watch SpongeBob SquarePants. I can carry myself well enough in meetings and office environments, but one of the highlights of this past week was when I ran out the door to my house and bought a bomb pop from the ice cream man.
There’s the old adage, “you’re only as old as you feel.” In that case, I’m somewhere around the age of 10. So is this a detriment to my personal and professional development? It doesn’t seem that likely.
The success of places like Hot Topic, vintage clothing retailers, used video game shops and vinyl record stores is predicated on a love of nostalgia, a desire to enjoy things “ironically,” and the urge to regress to childhood. Everyone looks back on it as a more innocent time in their lives, when they were free to be creative and enjoy life. The most important thing in a child’s day might have been getting a new GI Joe. And as adults, these people look to retro items to remind themselves of those feelings.
But why do you have to give all of that up in the first place?
Remember when you were a kid, and you couldn’t wait to grow up? I’m gonna be able to do whatever I want! You’d think. I can stay up late, have ice cream for breakfast, buy myself all the toys I want…it’ll be great! Did you ever follow through on those thoughts?
Lemme tell ya, if you’ve never experienced the pure joy that is dessert for breakfast, and I’m not talking pancakes with whipped cream or donuts or that awful “Cookie Crisp” garbage, you are missing out. Forget the calories, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, monounsaturated fat, sodium, sugars and carbohydrates. Just realize that you’re accomplishing something that you always wanted to do, and give your seven-year-old self a high-five through the space-time continuum. And if you’re vehemently against cake, pie, ice cream or other amazingly delicious confectionery delights, buy a box of cereal with a cartoon character mascot on it. And Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, Honey Nut Cheerios and Cookie Crisp don’t count.
A while back, I wrote a post on maintaining creativity. The other part of that equation is that you need to be inspired by what’s around you. Think back to when you were amazed by a refrigerator box. Or some old clothes. Or the grass in the park. Kids can have more fun in one hour than adults can have in a week.
What are you waiting for? You can suit up and be prim and proper at the office from 9 to 5, but there’s no reason to keep the chains of being a grown-up on all day every day. Do what you always wanted to do when you were younger, but never did. Think about what little You would say if they could see you now.
So if you’ll excuse me, I have to see about an ice cream.
