Who wants to be an adult if it means giving up enjoying life?

Have you ever noticed that when old people talk about their lives, many of them talk enthusiastically about their youth? They were so happy then. They wished they could stay young forever. Memories of adulthood are often less enthusiastic. They didn’t enjoy adult life as much. Why not? Can’t we enjoy adulthood as much as childhood?

Many of us knew how to laugh and enjoy life when we were young. Why not now? Do we need to be that serious? Can’t we laugh more? Can’t we laugh at ourselves? Can’t we tolerate mistakes? Can’t we be curious? Can’t we express emotions? Can’t we try something new and express our amazement? Can’t we worry less about the future? Can’t we forget the unpleasant past? Can’t we enjoy the present moment for all it has to offer? Can’t we justify ourselves less and do more? Can’t we do things without worrying about looking ridiculous? Can’t we do what we feel like doing, without the need for a logical reason? Can’t we use our initiative? Can’t we use our intuition? Can’t we accept others as they are? Can’t we feel good without a reason? Can’t we enjoy what we’re doing for its own sake, rather than for the end result?

I’m not saying that we should behave like wild kids, playing with fire to see if we get burnt. We have enough commonsense not to do that. I’m saying that some of these restrictions may bring more harm than benefits. Have you ever noticed that in formal situations, some of us feel so uncomfortable that we don’t do anything? So much energy is devoted to doing things the proper way that there is little energy left to enjoy the day. Isn’t it unfortunate that such things happen at weddings or ceremonies? Maybe looking serious isn’t so essential for our well-being. Maybe we can remove some of these constraints and it would make it easier for us to enjoy life.

Life will never get easier. Problems will always exist. So just take life easy and enjoy it as it comes. Don't be too hard on yourself.