What do you think about the proposition that one should never grow up? This is not to say don’t learn, or don’t age, but just not to lose the youthfulness we have as children.
Hook is a good example of what I’m talking about (sort of. There the emphasis is almost on not aging, but my idea shows in certain points of the movie such as when he returns home and is still the same old, smart guy, but he’s happy and energetic and … being an idiot, by societal standards.)
What does “growing up” mean?
Delving into your work, paying bills, counting your money, etc.
The opposite would be as my friends and I have done recently… we’re all in college and we just built the most awesome tree fort I’ve ever seen. Many grown-ups would tell us that those things are fine when you’re in third grade but we should be focusing on our studies. Does this help?
It seems to me that we all have a core personality that starts in childhood, and stays pretty stable through time. This aspect of ourselves gets struck by different social expectations of what an adult should act like. The “adult” concept is not so much a choice but a job. If one is a major in the army there is a certain set of duties that one agrees to that one didn’t invent and if one doesn’t follow, then they are no longer acting the role of major.
So, acting like an “adult” is not a natural state, because the behaviours didn’t evolve in the person naturally. Those that choose to adopt adult behaviors at the expence of their core personality are living false lives.
My suggestion is to do what you need to do to deal with adult stuff, but never forget who you really are.
Well said, Mr. P.
[quote=“Mr. Predictable”]
So, acting like an “adult” is not a natural state, because the behaviours didn’t evolve in the person naturally. Those that choose to adopt adult behaviors at the expence of their core personality are living false lives.
/quote]
Are there really any “natural states” that one can be in? Even the actions taken by children are due to learned behavior. The only natural state I could think of would be one that is governed by pure instinct. Perhaps I am just not understanding what you mean by a “natural state”. Could you maybe clear that up for me?
You know as we get older responsibility increases. Stress increases, which opens the door for negative emotions. It is handling the responsiblity and stress with positive emotions that keeps one youthful feeling. We tend to forget to take the time to play, and laugh. That is harder than crying and moaning at least at first. But, like anything worthwhile practice makes perfect.
To me, growing up means accepting the fact that you’re just a cog in the machinery we call society, and that you should shut up and perform your function. I try to resist this as much as possible.
Here is a comprehensive study guide for young people that I would highly recommend:
There is perhaps a difference in growing older and accepting the various role we must be responsible to, and growing up. I’ve found that our basic “who we are” really doesn’t change that much over the years, just the way that we act out our societal roles changes.
I have no intention of ever growing up. I like being not grown up, if that means I still get to do the same stuff I did when I was 12 (OK, maybe 10)
Tent, if you are still physically able to do things that a 10 or even 12 year old can, I want your diet and exercise programs. 
I watch these youngsters around here and I wince in pain when they do certain playful activities. Jumping their bikes over ramps, wrestling, climbing trees, etc…
Ow it hurts to watch, but it brings back sweet memories too and that is why I watch. I am going to be a GrandAunt again and soon to be Great GrandAunt. Gahhhhhhhh they need to stop it now. 
