When I was much younger during my childhood days, one of the few things I looked forward to the most was growing up into an adult, and the reason for this desire isn't far-fetched: I want freedom from all the challenges childhood poses to me. And now that I'm an adult myself, although I'm made to understand that childhood challenges are merely child's play compared to what adulthood has in store and shows me, overall I still can't help but be grateful for life, for growth, for how far I've come, and much more. If I were to be asked if I'd love to escape adulthood challenges just to be a child again, I'd reply with a resounding NO, and below is why.
You see although I wasn't the last born of my parents, where I was brought up I was the youngest, and one thing that comes with being the youngest person in a household in the part of the world where I was raised is that you'll be bombarded with tons and tons of chores and errands to the point where you won't even have time to catch a breath. I dreaded this feeling but had to deal with it almost throughout my childhood. Even till I graduated from high school, I was still the one who had to do everything, from washing plates and clothes to cleaning the environment and running errands, amongst many other things, and to cap it all off, you'll still be beaten for making a slight mistake despite all that you've done perfectly throughout the day.
All of these happenings, amongst many others, just make me want to grow up so bad so I can get the freedom of staying by myself and doing things at my own pace, without anyone having to push me around as though I'm a slave. It's actually kind of annoying the way the youngest person in the house is being treated in this part of the world. And this often takes a toll on their mental health. I had the same issue but was just lucky to finally get my freedom, although I won't say I really got it because when I did get the freedom, I had already crossed the 18-year-old benchmark.
So when I moved back to my parents' house and realized all that I went through staying at a relative's place is the same thing our last born was going through, I made sure to stand up for him because I know what it feels like to have many elders around you who all need a piece of you to help them do everything. I mean, if it were possible, they'd ask you to go take a piss or bath on their behalf. Well, thankfully I was able to initiate a change to the best of my capacity during my time at my parents' place.
Now as an adult, I really actually love my life and how it's going. I get to do things at my own pace, but then I can't help but say a big thank you to all of those uncles and aunties who were using me like a slave then, because indirectly they've instilled a good quality in me, which helps me do things at the right time without waiting for me to be told. In a way they've helped me, even though I'm not happy about how it was cultivated. I prefer my experience now that I'm an adult, even though responsibility wants to choke me. Yet I'd keep being an adult over the childhood experiences.
All photos are mine.
