Bringing boyhood back to manhood
Since graduating university, life feels like it has slowly become more serious. Anybody else feeling similar? Or is that what being an adult is?
My mental attention has become increasingly more concerned with career, 'making an impact,' becoming my best-self, drinking moderately, my savings account, etc. etc. Yes - there is still fun, but there is also an overwhelming focus on what was deemed 'important.' The shift has gone from wondering how to maximize fun on a Wednesday night, to making sure I'm in bed early to start work.
My decision making goes something like this:
No, I shouldn't play video games, yes I should read a non-fiction. No, I shouldn't get drunk with my friends, yes, I should be working on a side project. No, I shouldn't order take-out, yes I should make my own lunches. Not to say that all the 'responsible' choices are regretful, in fact, many are really positive. However, the sense is that the pendulum has swung a little too far towards making too much 'importance' of life.
What happened to being a boy and swinging around a broom? Or taking the time to say hi to the sheep?
What I've come to discover is that (like most people) I do not want to look back on my 20's with regret. I want to look back when I'm in my 70s, still making things, and remember that I made a great choice in taking life a little lighter. That all the feelings of "I should be somewhere by now" or worrying about how I'm going 'make an impact' or "find a purpose" would eventually figure itself out over the next 40 years.
Yes, being responsible is very important. Yes, doing the work is vital. But life is meant to be lived, not used as a means of productivity. I'm committed to honouring the inner boy and break out of routine, make time for fun, create for the sake of it, and run around with broomsticks outside.
Here's to reclaiming our leisure, our youth, and taking things a little less seriously. Here's to bringing the childhood back into the adult hood.
Photo and video credit: John Chiang Sr.