age ain't nothin' but a number...
Ever since I can remember, people have told me I am "mature for my age." I am not sure exactly what that means, whether it is a compliment or insult or just an observation. My boyfriend accuses me of being in a huge hurry to grow up (which sounds distinctly negative the way he delivers this comment, in a "stop and smell the roses" patient kind of voice the Type B's use with the Type A's). Another friend recently seriously confided that I am the most well-adjusted person he knows (which sounds like glowing praise). I do feel more comfortable around people my age or older. Maybe because I am the eldest child and if you believe those birth order theories that means I have respect for authority. I never minded being around adults when I was younger. I think it is because I feel those who are in my peer group or an earlier generation can offer their wisdom and I learn more from their input because they are more experienced and savvy about the world. The weird thing is, I usually feel ancient nowadays, even if I'm with people who have lived more moons than I.
The majority of the people that I associate with are at least one year older than me. A handful of my friends are significantly older (10+ years). One of my boyfriend's friends (who is 5 years older than me) started dating someone significantly younger than he (and me). I feel like a grandma around this girl, which is probably ridiculous, but it seems like eons ago that I was going through that phase. Sometimes I even feel elderly compared to my friends 3 years older than me, because certain aspects of my life are more settled than theirs. It is disconcerting that they call ME for advice, expecting me to share what I know and welcoming my opinion. Then I see people slightly older than me or my age who have reached milestones I am nowhere near (engaged, married, parenting, homeownership, established career, traveled extensively, etc.) and feel childish. I like the path I am on, but sometimes I do wish certain things would happen faster, so I could enjoy the memory longer rather than looking forward to it. On the other hand, there are a few inevitables I would like to postpone or prevent so I don't want things to pass too speedily.
I suppose it is the journey, not the destination, that counts.
PS - I'm getting a little tired of this deep introspection, too. I'm going to blame my moodiness on the lunar eclipse. I should have some nice, light material by this time next week. Ok?
The majority of the people that I associate with are at least one year older than me. A handful of my friends are significantly older (10+ years). One of my boyfriend's friends (who is 5 years older than me) started dating someone significantly younger than he (and me). I feel like a grandma around this girl, which is probably ridiculous, but it seems like eons ago that I was going through that phase. Sometimes I even feel elderly compared to my friends 3 years older than me, because certain aspects of my life are more settled than theirs. It is disconcerting that they call ME for advice, expecting me to share what I know and welcoming my opinion. Then I see people slightly older than me or my age who have reached milestones I am nowhere near (engaged, married, parenting, homeownership, established career, traveled extensively, etc.) and feel childish. I like the path I am on, but sometimes I do wish certain things would happen faster, so I could enjoy the memory longer rather than looking forward to it. On the other hand, there are a few inevitables I would like to postpone or prevent so I don't want things to pass too speedily.
I suppose it is the journey, not the destination, that counts.
PS - I'm getting a little tired of this deep introspection, too. I'm going to blame my moodiness on the lunar eclipse. I should have some nice, light material by this time next week. Ok?
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