To “Adult”

Daily writing prompt

When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?

View all responses

Do you “adult” often? I ask because my “inner child” is curious. I guess many people can pin down a date and time when they realize that the adult in them has taken control of things. But not me. Adult and child live in a dynamic balance. I indeed gave up many of the destructive urges and habits that marked my youth, including smoking, drinking, drugs, and irresponsible behavior. But I view those as more adolescent stupidities than actual childlike impulses. Living with those habits was a lot like living in a zoo where all the cages were open. It’s not necessarily the safest place to be.

I didn’t get the pleasure of living a balanced life for years after the traumatic events that made me wake up in the fall of 1970. But if I had to put a date stamp on it that’s where it would be. Almost shot dead, wandering the streets with a long knife in my boot, and sheltering in a demolished squat. You have to admit that that’s a great demarcation point. One night, a child, the next day, hustling as fast as you can towards adulthood.

But many people think you need to abandon the child to become an adult. I’d say they have got it wrong; it’s the adolescent, not the child.

The interplay between a child’s curiosity and wonder and an adult’s abilities and drive is the wellspring of creativity.

“Adult” too much, and you risk cutting yourself off from the wonder and playfulness of creativity.