Why Did No One Tell Me?
Why did no one tell me that being an adult basically means being tired all the time and getting up every day to repeat the exact same work you did yesterday while dreaming of being able to go back to bed?
When I was a child I thought being an adult was a magical world of freedom, specifically no bedtime. Why did no one tell me I would grow up and be desperate to go to bed? Why am I now the person who goes to bed before my children?
Why, now that I have the freedom to stay up all night to finish my book (yes, I dream big) can I not keep my eyes open long enough to finish the chapter?
Naps are now something to be treasured instead of fought against.
I can live with the other disappointments of being a grown-up. I don’t have a secret walled garden like Mary Lennox though I haven’t given up hope. I don’t live by the beach. I am not a famous author. And, sadly, I do not have a stable full of horses in my backyard.
But where is the energy I had when I was ten?
On the plus side of being an adult, there is no one to tell me not to spend my money on more books.
Now, if only I could stay awake long enough to finish them.
10 Comments
Carolann @ Finding Ithaka
Spending money on books is a huge perk to being an adult! I'm with you, though, I wish I could stay up all night reading. I am just too tired. I've learned to embrace it but it does suck sometimes when I want to do so much at night but I am asleep by 9.
jllee656
Exactly, I always have big plans for the evening (my version of big plans) and then I can't stay awake. My younger self would be very disappointed in me.
Peggy
Ah, you've answered your own question. Perhaps once your children are grown you'll have more leisure and energy for reading?
jllee656
One can only hope. Though, I suppose, then I will be complaining about how quiet the house is with no kids around to pester me.
Brona
The teen/YA phase is exhausting & peri-menopause is a bitch! It's not fair they happen at the same time to most women. Don't get me started on the mood swings!!
Like you, I'm sure we will one day look back on this phase with nostalgia, but right now it feels endless.
I've been picking all the easy-to-read books on my TBR lately or rereading favourites – it doesn't matter if i doze off mid-sentence then, it's easy to pick up again later 🙂
jllee656
Yes! I really feel I need more patience for this stage of life. I am doing the same thing with books. I have so many I know I will really enjoy but I just don't always have the mental energy for them and I don't wan't to waste a good book on a tired day. So I reread a lot.
Lyn
Was it for this I uttered prayers,
And sobbed and cursed and kicked the stairs,
That now domestic as a plate,
I should retire at half past eight.
Grownup by Edna St. Vincent Millay
jllee656
Oh, yes! I remember this. It is sadly true.
Katrina
I'm sure that the time will come when you happily sit up in bed reading until 2.30 or so. It's wonderful when you don't have to get up early to get everyone out of the house on time. I sometimes read a book a day but then I get guilty about just sitting and reading!
jllee656
Never feel guilty about just sitting and reading! After all those years of getting people out of the house on time, you deserve it. At least summer break just started and my schedule eases up over the summer as well so I plan to catch up on some of my reading. Now, if only I had a hammock….