Where Do I Belong?

Grow Up

I've recently realized, that society wants us to grow up. They are constantly shoving new concepts at kids, so fast they can't fully grasp it. They are teaching us about college, which isn't a bad thing. Except that they're telling 7th graders, that they need to start to plan for college. Plan for their future.

My parents always tell me to never wish to grow up sooner, absorb everything around you, because you are only a kid for a little while. Being a kid is for making mistakes. Getting into trouble every once and awhile. Even though I'm in 7th grade, I still remember when I didn't care what brand of clothes I was wearing to school that day. I didn't think I needed makeup or dyed hair to make myself feel beautiful. I was taught that makeup was for all of the moms. Not for kids in school. Now, when I walk into the bathroom, I see 6th graders putting on blush, mascara, lipstick, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and even more beauty products.

"Makeup is for the older ladies."

Apparently not anymore. Kids are now stressed about everything. Homework, how they look, after-school things, chores, an upcoming test. All of this is stressing us out. We barely have time to go outside and enjoy being outside of a building because we have to study for the constant tests, or we have homework in every subject.

One day I was sitting in my 1st grade class, and I was complaining to my friend about how the homework was too hard and there was too much of it. Shortly after I finished my whining, my teacher walked over to me and tapped me on the shoulder. I looked up at and her and she simply said, "It may seem hard now, but just wait until middle school. It's going to be so much worse."

I never really realized how true that statement was until now. A few minutes ago I was completely surrounded by things from school. My binder, homework sheets, and notebooks. I realized how easy I had it back in 1st grade. I'm super stressed about all the wrong things.

When did people start believing that growing up was the most important thing in the world? When did we start putting homework and studying before a friend with a problem? When did every kids start being an adult, instead of a kid. I miss being more like a kid. Carefree. Able to run around without worrying if someone was staring at you. Able to get muddy and scraped up. Not being on devices 24/7. Being popular didn't matter, as long as you had someone to play with on the playground. Having a crush or a boyfriend didn't define how people see you, because the opposite sex had cooties. Kissing wasn't talked about like it was needed to live, cause kissing was only for moms and dads.

I've lately realized, that everyone wants to grow up as fast as they can. That having good hair, makeup, and clothes needs to be a priority. That testing comes before actually understanding the topic. Having a boyfriend or girlfriend is a need, in order to be cool. Why can't everyone take a step back, breathe, and realize that you only have a set amount of time to be a kid?

"Don't grow up too fast."