8 Ways How to Masquerade as a Grown-Up

Last updated on May 20th, 2013 at 12:10 pm

Do you ever feel like your “reality” is out of sync with your dream?

I do.

I feel like I’m masquerading as a grown-up.

First:  My dream.  My dream is to become an accomplished equestrian.  To do that, logically, I would have to ride. But my horse is hurt. I’m still working on a trailer ride for him to the clinic down in Oakdale.  Rain or work has gotten in the way of my lessons.

All the other dreamers here are busily working away on their dreams.

I feel like I’m masquerading as a dreamer.

Now, the rest of my life:

I feel like when I had kids and further, when I passed the bar exam and became an attorney, one night, the “grown-up fairy” sneak into my room while I was sleeping and slapped a “grown-up” sticker on my forehead.

I’ve been trying to peel it off ever since.

How would you answer the question:

“If you didn’t know how old you were, how old would you be?” My answer generally is 22. I’m actually 37 (soon to be 38).

Hmmmm . . .

If you feel like I do, here are 8 ways how to masquerade as a grown-up:

1.  Get a “grown-up” job.
Attorney fits this category well.  But don’t work too much.  And try to make sure that your job is interesting, amusing, or at least results in good stories to tell.

2.  Wear “grown-up” clothes.
I wear suits to court.  But don’t wear your grown-up clothes too much.  Often, when I’m done at court, as soon as I’m at my car, I frantically take off my suit coat and say to myself, “Enough of this grown-up stuff!!”  Slightly silly shoes paired with your grown-up clothes will help you to not feel too grown-up.

3.  Have kids.
If you have kids at an age and stage of life that our society generally recognizes as “appropriate”, this is sure to label you a “grown-up”.  But, for goodness sake, be silly!

4.  Socialize appropriately with real “grown-ups” – but don’t have them as super good friends.
This shouldn’t be too much of a problem – if a real “grown-up” sees your slightly silly shoes, they’ll know you’re just pretending and leave you alone.

5.  Run. But I don’t mean for exercise.
Run just for the fun of running.  Don’t run seriously.  Run and bounce with your dog to the mailbox.  Your dog will love this.

6.  If you go out to a meal with real “grown-ups”, eat “grown-up” food.
But, at home, eat Fruity Pebbles or Fruit Loops for breakfast.  Cookie dough will suffice for dinner.

7.  Have opinions on “grown-up” subjects such as politics, the current push to reform health care, sports, etc.
At home, don’t think too much about these things.  For heaven’s sake, don’t read things such as “The Wall Street Journal” – way, way too grown-up!!

8.  Look “settled” – have a house with some grown-up stuff in it.
But, be restless, wonder “what’s next?”, be amazed just like when you were little.

And please, please, please, don’t forget to dream.

Even if you have to masquerade at that too for awhile.

Danelle

Danelle left 8 Women Dream after a year of dreaming and is still working on her equestrian dream.