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Cassandra Di Lalla (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

I suppose, for me, “staying young at heart” is easy, considering my chronological age is only 30 years. But it’s so much more than just that, and I’m happy to share why I feel this way.

I sometimes act like I’m still a young teenager because a big part of me is still holding on to the days when I felt more at ease with certain things. It almost seemed more acceptable to be giddy and immature, to laugh at stupid and silly things, to be nervous about talking to your “crush” or love interest, having slumber parties or staying up until the early hours of the following morning. I reminisce because life as a teenager seemed much easier and more fun . . . for the most part. I didn’t have to pay a mortgage or worry about any bills related to being a homeowner, I wasn’t in charge of buying groceries, I didn’t have to make big decisions or whatever else I now have to deal with as an adult.

Being a teenager wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows, either. I experienced a lot of bullying and harassment in both physical and emotional forms, so having to deal with that was a total nightmare! I struggled a lot in school thanks to my unrelenting anxiety. I was also diagnosed with chronic migraines at a very young age, so that took a toll too. There were many situations that made being a teenager difficult; we weren’t quite mature enough at that age to know how to respond appropriately to challenging situations, nor were we ready to rely on ourselves for everything. It was clear that mom and dad’s expertise was still the best by far!

Anyway, do you remember using MSN? I used it frequently, since it was an instant messaging platform, much faster than email. Although I did have a cellphone, there was something about logging into MSN that was just so exciting.

I also miss the days where I’d get dropped off at the mall so I could use some of the money I had to buy cool things. Your definition and my definition of “cool things” might differ drastically, but nonetheless—it just doesn’t feel the same now that I’m an adult. I say this because I think I’m still processing the fact that I’m not a teenager anymore.

I absolutely hate to say this: however, if you’re constantly getting stuck in the past, wishing you were still there, then that means you’re missing out on the present and not looking forward to the future, with potentially more possibilities than when you were a teenager. It’s a sad reality, so it’s a bitter pill to swallow, but I’m currently in that predicament.

I sometimes wish I could alternate between being a teenager with no responsibilities and being an adult without needing permission to do anything or go anywhere. But, as a teenager, it was comforting to know that you needed parental guidance and/or approval before doing anything or going anywhere. It opened up your eyes to the fact that your parents were steering you in the right direction and making you their number one priority. It may have taken you a while to come to terms with that, but as you get older you realize that your parents may have also been doing that as a way to preserve your youth. It was their way of ensuring that you remained their little boy or little girl . . . their prince or their princess . . . no matter how far into adulthood you were. A parent’s job will always be to protect their children and take care of them, even when they’re old enough to take care of themselves. A mother and/or father’s love is the most powerful of things.

I often feel as though I still need some reassurance or guidance, and I think this might be because I relied so heavily on my parents for everything. They were my safety net and my security blanket.

I try my best to “live in the now,” but it can be challenging because I’m always looking back and comparing my teenage years to my adulthood . . . evaluating where I went wrong, what I could have changed, and how it has impacted me today as a 30-year-old woman.

I stay young at heart by doing the things I’ve always enjoyed doing. I truly believe that a happy and healthy mind means a happy and healthy heart, and vice versa. Nature plays a big role in your overall well-being . . . sunshine for the soul, the moon for the mind, a hike for the heart, planting for positivity and everything in between! We can harvest the healing properties that exist among us.

Allow yourself to dance your way through life, whether it’s rainy or sunny, cloudy or clear, hot or cold, or even a mix of all four seasons in one single 24-hour period. Life is constantly changing. Our spirit can be static and steady despite everything around us being so dynamic and different all the time. The wheel of life keeps turning and our bodies are helplessly following in the footsteps of the inevitable as we age. I believe that our hearts are stuck in a time machine and constantly replaying all of those memories created by the kindred spirits of our youth.

Staying young at heart is pure bliss.

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Cassandra Di Lalla lives life purposefully. She enjoys reading, writing and mental health initiatives. She’s an animal lover for life and an innovative individual always finding new ways to create.