Chapter 1: The Rollercoaster of Growing Up

Why isn't there a course dedicated to the intricacies of growing up? It seems rare to hear someone claim that the transition to adulthood was the highlight of their life.

During my teenage years, frustration was an unwelcome companion. Mood swings felt like a constant, and I found myself surrounded by insincere individuals. I often felt caught in a limbo—too young for certain experiences, such as dating or shopping alone, yet too old to indulge in childish behaviors like dancing aimlessly in malls or binge-watching cartoons.

The shift into adulthood occurs rapidly, and discovering individuals who genuinely comprehend your journey can be a daunting task. While I often miss my family, I've learned to adopt a more mature demeanor and cultivate emotional resilience. Once indifferent to financial matters, I now find myself crafting financial plans bi-weekly. Where I once craved solitude, I now eagerly anticipate connecting with positive influences.

It’s astonishing how a single comment can fracture friendships, overshadowing countless hours spent nurturing those connections. There are moments when being surrounded by others can feel lonelier than solitude. Conversations with close friends have transformed from daily chats to sporadic messages once a month.

Choosing to read books instead of going out can lead to being labeled as dull, while spending extravagantly on unnecessary items can mistakenly grant one a "cool" persona. Time slips away, and suddenly, bills for rent, groceries, insurance, and utilities appear, seemingly out of nowhere.

My days of enjoying 10-hour play sessions with friends and TV have morphed into 10-hour workdays dedicated to self-sufficiency. Nowadays, I find more satisfaction in sleeping or watching a film than in attending social gatherings.

Approximately 70% of the individuals I encounter struggle to embrace the reality of adulthood. Some squander their entire day's earnings on flashy shoes to impress others, while others abandon their lifelong aspirations upon realizing that the path to becoming a lawyer is far more complex than simply dreaming of its prestige.

Navigating through this phase, I often reflect on how my parents managed. My father has shared stories of selling newspapers and doing door-to-door sales during his school and college years just to make ends meet. I take pride in their relentless work ethic, which has provided me a comfortable life. While I lounged around at 14, my dad was hustling to sell newspapers for a meager meal.

Despite the steep learning curve of growing up, there's undeniable beauty in the process. You gain mastery over your life, finances, and happiness. Discovering what resonates with you fosters a profound sense of tranquility. I still prefer curling up with a book in peace over attending social events where my presence may go unnoticed.

I've derived happiness from investing, aiding those in need, giving back to my parents, and, most crucially, understanding my true self.

Adulting resembles a quest to determine what you dislike the least. It offers the freedom to pursue anything but often results in moments of inactivity. It’s akin to looking both ways before crossing a street and still getting hit by an unexpected curveball.

How has your experience with growing up been? Do you have any advice for navigating this journey or regrets about things you wish you'd embarked on sooner?

Keep growing,

Sejal

Section 1.1: The Reality of Growing Up

Chapter 2: The Lessons Learned

In the first video titled "Ruel - GROWING UP IS _____ (Official Live Video)," the artist captures the essence of the challenges and surprises that come with growing up, resonating with the feelings many of us experience during this transformative phase.

The second video, "Ruel - GROWING UP IS _____ (Lyric Video)," delves into the emotions tied to growing up, beautifully articulating the journey and the lessons learned along the way.