With it being my first quarter away from home, though I am a Junior, the question of what it means to grow up has been circulating. Is it defined by a certain age? A locale change? Or just an inner feeling?
Lost on the 'tube,' except not really ;)
Some people go and seize the day in an effort to prove independence. My dad, not knowing a direction, joined the Marine Corps. My sister chose a school she felt was an appropriate distance from home. A cousin got married.
Hey there Paddington!
My family has always loved to travel. Because I did not get the opportunity to go away to college straight away and lived at home while going to community college, another opportunity presented itself. I worked, I went to school, and I saved. With this money, I decided to go backpacking... however...
Hanging with cows...
I went alone. Why? Well, I suppose it was a way to assert my independence; but really it came about more organically than that. I wanted to use my own money and had seen more than enough of my parents the past two years that I knew I wouldn't be homesick for five weeks. My friends, though ambitious, prefer a more high-maintenance aspect of traveling than I do (focusing on spas and nightclubs as opposed to hostels and museums). It also bears mentioning that not a lot of people had funds available for a trip, nor the right timing.
Right before they attacked- the bike survived, but with copious amounts of slobber
So I had an amazing 5 week hostel experience through the United Kingdom. It was amazing and, while inadvertent, became a really important tool in learning infinitely more about myself. Because of this trip (as well as various other amazing experiences and/or traumatic events too numerous for this post, haha) I became a more confident person which helps me assert my independence each day.
Was there an event that (intentionally or not) helped you learn about yourself? Did you have any show of independence? How do you define being grown?
(p.s. thanks so much for your guys' patience with the change of pace/posting the past week or so- I cannot wait till midterms are over. I have a few pictures of some yummy eats which bear mentioning.... all in due time!)
11 comments:
What jumps out at me when I think of an event that helped me realize I was growing up and acting as an adult- is what I am going through now. Admitting I need help and going through recovery. Calling a doctor and asking for help, asking my parents and boyfriend, and friends for support. Realizing I am ready to live my life and tackle this. That makes me feel like an adult.
Otherwise- I am pretty dependent on others :( But hopefully, what I am going through now will help me to learn to rely on myself a little more.
Happy Sunday jess!
I love the picture of the cows with the bike!
I have a twin sister and I always talked for both of us growing up so in my mind I've always been independent. Didn't work out well for her though, because as adults she had a hard time doing things on her own - I'd always made decisions for both of us!
love the cow and bike picture..i have one kinda like that, but it's me on the ground LOL.
I've had two eye opening/international trips to proclaim my independence. The first was when I went to Australia to study abroad for 4 months in the middle of the rainforest, surrounded by nothing but trees, birds, bugs and rain. haha. It really helped me see the kinds of things I had hte potential of doing, and just being in life!
the second trip was even better. After I graduated college I went back to Australia for a month and traveled by myself. It was amazing not to have to worry about anyone else and being able to decide to do anything i want. it helped me see that i was capable of doing things I never thought i could do and to bring out the side of me that had been boxed up for quite some time.
great question! have a great day babe!!!
Love the London photos! You are adorable.
Graduating from college was my big Grown Up moment, but it is a gradual thing I guess. In many ways I still don't feel like I've proven myself.
Can't wait to see the food :)
that picture with the cows is too funny!
Fun photos! :)
thanks for sharing your story Jess. It makes me remember my-independent moment. unfortunately I couldn't remember any specific moment because I've been very independent since I can remember. My parents always let me to take care of myself and sometimes made me wonder if they loved me...hahah..but at the end, it was good to learn to be independent and make own decision from early ages.
Love the photos!! :-)
Good luck with those midterms!!
good question. I can't think of one defining moment or anything, but I definitely DO feel that I have grown mature. Moments where I find myself THINK before I react to things, moments where I start thinking about the well being of others around me (including strangers) not just myself, and moments where I don't blow all my money on shoes are when I think I have grown up! I think it comes with experiencing life, and meeting new people, and learning new things. I have also discovered though, that some people grow up but don't mature...... but that's a different story
woah those cows are so cute! i love the pics. thats great, and so fun.
independence...well (semi)-surviving college so far! does that count?
Awww, the cows with the bike are so cute. I think it's awesome that you went to the UK by yourself. That's something I want to do (but go to Italy) and I know my family or boyfriend would not be pleased with me.
As for independence, my moment was when the guy I living with moved out suddenly. It forced me to look at things differently, of course I had some help from family, but it definitely made me independent. That happened three years ago last week actually, and it's honestly the best thing that's ever happened to me. I wouldn't have done the stuff I have without that.
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