Photo by: Miad Khan
Life is a journey, and it is a journey full of ups and downs. Every person’s journey through life is none like the other, and despite people’s expectations, life is not a smooth ride. Growing up and being an adult is no exception, with life being far from what childhood is or was.
When the days are full of uncertainties, it is important to find comfort in such times. Comfort can be found in many areas, depending on a person’s preferences. Christina Trezevant McGriff’s book entitled “From Small to Tall” is a book of poems with practical, inspirational, educational, and spiritual tips on navigating one’s most significant journey of transitioning from a child to a responsible adult.
Compared to everyone’s expectations, growing up is never a linear journey. Life will bring many challenges, and it is up to the person to deal with its complexities in ways that they know how. Reality can sometimes slap us in the face, which is why we must help one another in a world full of confusion and heavy responsibilities. On the bright side, whatever adversities may come a person’s way, it is best to see it as an opportunity for learning and self-discovery so that they will bloom into the best version of themselves. For that to become possible, acceptance is the key. With that, here are a few things to keep in mind if you find it hard to grasp the concept of growing up:
Focus on the positive parts of being an adult.
Nothing in the world comes easy, and growing up and getting older is no exception. A person’s mindset can change the whole course of their life, so try to focus on the good parts! Do what you love or what makes you feel better every day, whether it be going on a spontaneous midnight ice cream run with a friend, treating yourself to a concert by your favorite artist, or anything and/or everything that you couldn’t do when you were a kid.
Find beauty in self-improvement.
There is comfort and safety in whatever is familiar, but there is also fulfillment in going out of your shell and seeing yourself bloom in life. Becoming a better version may be the goal of every person, but the matter of fact is that the journey for self-improvement is one that is never-ending, which is why it is important for you to embrace and enjoy the journey of leveling up as an individual.
Look for healthy elements of youthfulness.
Letting go can be hard and that is highly understandable. There is no clear cut rule book that says you have to ultimately give up everything about being young. In fact, many adults nowadays can be seen not dressing like the “typical adult.” – colored hair, artsy tattoos, beautiful multiple piercings, creating art of your favorite characters or even a harmless collection of toys does no harm to anyone!
Learn to manage your time wisely.
One of the most important skills for an adult to have is proper time management. It is easier said than done as you are mostly juggling through multiple responsibilities, but learning how to balance work, personal life, hobbies, and time for yourself is essential for your overall well-being.
Most of all, it is important to be kind to yourself. After all, going through the journey of life is no smooth road. As a person goes through a constant process of growing up, keep in mind that it is normal to not have all the answers. Be gentle with yourself throughout the whole process as you gradually embrace each responsibility that will come your way.
Changes will surely come and maybe even go, as that is just how life goes. Rather than constantly worrying about what is to come, slowly work on accepting whatever that may be, rather than be fully ready, learn to embrace it all as it comes, both the changes and the uncertainties. After all, the only constant thing in this world is change so approach it all with an open mind as much as you can!
Christina Trezevant McGriff’s literary work “From Small to Tall” is a book of poems with practical, is a book of poems with practical, inspirational, educational, and spiritual tips on navigating one’s most significant journey of transitioning from a child to a responsible adult. Find comfort within the book’s pages by grabbing a copy today! Readers should also follow the author’s Instagram account to get to know her more: @for_real_chris.
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