I got to thinking about growing up. When do we really reach maturity? Should we automatically be mature, having it all figured out by our twenties? Or does it take much longer than that? I’m not really sure when maturity is supposed to sink in, but I’ve always figured it should happen by college. Shouldn’t we be independent (or somewhat independent) by now? So why are many people still completely immature?

This quote from Never Been Kissed always gets me thinking about maturity: “Boys, you know, I’d like to tell you that we grow out of it. But that’s a lie. Some of us will always be rattling cages.” And I think that’s true. Not just men, but women, too. Some of us will always be immature, not really knowing how to be an adult. Why do we do that? Is it out of fear? Is it a defense mechanism? Growing up is scary; I’m about to face the real world and couldn’t be more terrified. But you know what? I’m also excited. Growing up doesn’t have to be a stressful thing. I think that once you accept that you’re an adult, you’ll be liberated from any kind of fear that spurs immaturity. So grow up. Be liberated. You won’t regret it.