OPINION: Never grow up

I have a confession that will surprise no one - I have no qualms in enjoying things that aren’t necessarily aimed at my age range. I’ve never cared if someone said something wasn’t cool or trendy, I’m just going to enjoy what I enjoy.

The most obvious way that is seen is my love of Disney. One of the number one complaints people have about Disney adults is that we are “afraid to grow up.” I’m not really sure why we have to.

Sure, responsibility is important. You can’t spend all your money on Disney trips and not be able to pay rent, the same way you can’t spend so much time obsessing about a movie or character that you leave all chores and relationships by the wayside. However, that’s true for any passion or hobby.

We need to be OK going back to the joys of our childhood, even if it’s only occasional.

The other night, I was watching a livestream for a YouTuber, Joe Scott, whose content mostly focuses on random science facts and mysteries. This man is 50 years old, makes educational content and, at least seemingly, has his life pretty put together.

However, he mentioned that a few years ago he attempted to throw a birthday party for himself at a trampoline park. Yes, a grown man is allowed to do supposedly childish things like go to a trampoline park because it’s fun. Unfortunately, none of his grown adult friends felt that way, because no one showed up. Scott made a comment about how that’s what he gets for throwing a birthday party meant for children. I, however, agree with commenter JustShelby888.

“You need new friends. I’m 45 years old and I love the trampoline park. I don’t hang out with adults who take themselves too seriously. You won’t get old if you embrace your inner child.”

A person’s age doesn’t mean things you found enjoyable as a child can’t still be enjoyable. Though I’m only halfway to Scott’s age, I know the friends I have now are willing to do fun things not necessarily meant for us. For example, I went to the Blue Zoo in Des Moines Saturday with Cheyenne and our friend Mia. We also brought along little Eliza, though since a 4-month-old doesn’t care much about an aquarium, it was mostly for us.

We got to pet starfish and stingrays, feed birds and get nibbled on by pedicure fish. We just missed a mermaid show they have in one of the tanks, but I know we would have been right alongside the tiny children watching the mermaids perform.

I think the only difference there should be between adults and children enjoying the same thing is the levels of responsibility, as mentioned before. A child doesn’t understand or doesn’t have the self-control to only have cake on a special occasion, to only go to an ethical zoo, to only go to Disney once every couple of years.

Just because I’m an adult doesn’t mean I can’t have a slice of cake every once in a while. I can still go to the zoo, but I pay attention to what they care about. (I am now aware that maybe Blue Zoo wasn’t the best place to go, despite how much fun we had. Something to remember for the future.) I haven’t been to a Disney park since 2021 despite my love for it because I’m responsible with my money and know I can’t afford to go every year. That doesn’t mean I can’t still be excited to go and appreciate it when I’m there.

People seem to think loving a supposedly childish activity means the person is childish too. I’m a Disney adult, yes, but I also love attending museums and cooking. I do my own taxes and am up-to-date on all my appointments.

The YouTuber from before, Joe Scott, is married, owns a home and an expensive car. He has a successful YouTube channel with employees and just wrote his own book. He’s a Certified Adult, but he should still be able to do silly things like have a birthday party at a trampoline park.

Human beings are allowed to be more than one thing in life. We are allowed to embrace our inner child while still being respectable adults. Really, to survive in the stresses of adult world, we need to hold onto that younger voice and enjoy those passions. We need to never grow up or we’ll never be able to get through this world.

So go out there and have fun. Take your friends laser tagging or put on the newest children’s movie. Find your joy, no matter what age it’s aimed for.