Adulthood

What does adulthood mean to you?

We hear the words "time waits for no one" and "life is short" as often as we hear our names being called by our mother to send us on errands. When that pregnant woman gives birth to a bouncing baby boy, we'll hear them say "ahnahn, life is short oooo. Is that not the same girl that got married last year". When that baba of 100 years die - life is short- . Abeg, life is short, how? 100 years?

Took this btw, and it looked like adulthood to me.

But then, you sit down and think about it. Time actually doesn't sit and wait for anybody and life truly is short. Life and time doesn't give a reminder. They don't give warnings. There are no rehearsals. There are no do overs if you miss an opportunity. There are no time outs. Life takes us on a ride in a running wheel without stopping to look back if there are casualties but we just have to stand up, brave ourselves and enjoy the spin. This is me straying from the actual reason why I'm here, which is....

What does adulthood seem like to you?

I asked a friend this question, and she said, "Adulthood is confusing, and you'll lose yourself, you'll be more frustrated. I felt if I turned 20, I would be more independent but I'm more frustrated than independent"

Her answer left me more confused. I turned 18 today, and honestly, I feel completely normal. Same body, same everything – no magical increments or decrements. My eyes, nose, even my butt still look the same! I guess I feel normal because I was forced to grow up before I was ready, and now the whole adult label doesn't fit right. Even though I wouldn't exactly call myself an adult.

My dad sent me this and I have a few comments, because I've always been a babe!

I thought I'd have a lot to say about adulthood, but everything I write just feels off. I start, delete, and stare at the blinking cursor. I compared it to a noose, this supposed freedom of adulthood feeling more like suffocation under the weight of responsibility. I even likened it to awareness, a sudden, uncomfortable consciousness of a world that's transformed from a playground to a Hunger Games arena. I also compared it to a sunset. But none of it feels quite right. Maybe because those aren't my exact feelings, or maybe because I still don't entirely consider myself an adult. It's a strange in-between space, this transition, and I'm still figuring it out.

But one thing's for sure, I'm still going to be guzzling Capri Suns, dancing in the rain, and giggling at cute cartoons. I'm still going to throw my feet back and laugh like I did when I was a kid. Because those are the moments that make life worth living.

And a big shoutout to TinkerBell 🖤 for the amazing surprise today! She got me a cake! You guys, I haven't had cake on my birthday since maybe primary school! It was such a sweet gesture, and I was so happy I almost cried. You know what you can do to make her happy…. Subscribe to her newsletter and I assure you that you'd get loads of fun contents!💕

Look at the note😭❤️

Well, I'm 18 now. Time to adopt some 17 year olds!!!

Your anonymous bestie

Ree🤍