"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." - Marilyn Monroe
I hope the new year is off to a good start for you. For me it is, for sure - I got to spend the weekend with some of my FG cousins. L is 5 - at the stage of playdates and kindergarten. R is 12, in her first year of middle school and a full set of braces. G just started high school, is shopping for her first big dance and texts even more than me. And being the oldest by just a bit, I love watching them at each of their ages, because it makes me realize how awesome every stage of life really is.
Seriously. I mean we always want to be older - at least I always have. When I was 8 I wanted to be 10 and when I was 10 I wanted to be 13. I always wanted to be more mature, cooler, more independent. And that in itself isn't so bad. But the trouble happens when girls start doing "mature" things to seem older - wearing revealing clothes, drinking, dating guys way older than them. And it always makes me sad to see that, see them missing out on being young. It makes me wish I could tell them what I wish I knew when I was that age - that you are exactly where you need to be. Even when you feel a little insecure or awkward or unsure of yourself. Believe me, acting older or adding on years doesn't change that. Coming into your own isn't really about age at all.
So I guess what I'm saying is this - feel free to act your age! I know you're thinking, Act my age? Some advice. What does that even mean? Well, I guess I'm still figuring that out too. But I think it's about enjoying the process. You can't be a butterfly without putting in your time in the cocoon. You'll be all grown up and fabulous soon enough. But you can't get there without being young and silly first.
