Post Week 8 - I Took My Childhood For Granted

    I remember being in 5th grade thinking to myself how excited I was to grow up, and be able to go out without my parents. When I was younger, I was so focused on the 'freedom' aspect of growing up. I've always been a super independent person and done things on my own. I never really ask for help unless I seriously need it. As I got older, around middle school, I was so excited to get my license, go to the mall with my friends without my mom, and just be older. Freshmen and sophomore year, getting my license was all I thought about. I couldn't wait to be able to do whatever I want, whenever I want. When I was younger growing up seemed so exciting.

    Well now we're all juniors in high school, and most of us have jobs. Many of us have responsibilities we didn't when we were younger.  Like paying our car insurance, going to work, and paying for our own things. I work 6 days a week while trying to balance the loads of schoolwork I get from all my classes combined. Friends I had when I was just a little girl, I don't talk to anymore. I'm old enough to see all the bad that happens in the world. I'm old enough to do my taxes. I'm old enough to drive myself places. When I think back to when I was little, I thought growing up was going to be fun.  When I was little, I used to ask my mom if i could press the '87' on the gas pump when we had to go to the gas station. Now I do it all on my own. I love having freedom and I love working. I love being almost an 18 year old. I love being older, but nothing will ever compare to my younger years, where all I worried about was whether or not my friends could play that day. I took my elementary and middle school years for granted. I never took the time to sit and enjoy how simple life was at that time. My brothers dad used to always tell me that 'growing up is a trap' and I never really understood him until now. I just wish I would've enjoyed being little while I was.