As we grow older, we change. It’s inevitable. We mature, and as we mature little things about us change. For instance, when I was younger I wouldn’t touch vegetables – they disgusted me, actually. Now I am slowly starting to realize that I don’t hate them – they don’t disgust me, in fact – I actually LIKE them (some of them anyway).
The changes I’m noticing in myself go beyond just culinary habits, though. I’m finding that my priorities in life are starting to change. Instead of wanting to go out all the time and hang out with my friends I am finding myself wanting to stay at home more and relax. I’m sure part of that is a sheer determination to enjoy this house I’ve worked so hard to get, and so hard to put together. The rest of it, though, is a desire to return to basics, to re-center myself and focus on myself for a while – rather than focus on hanging out with friends.
The other change I’m noticing is that I am settling down. I’ve moved on (finally) from the “college years”, and am starting to settle down in life and grow up. I’m planning more for the future ( with investments, savings, etc) and thinking about things I would have shrugged off in the past as something for “somewhere in the future”. Specifically, I’m thinking about getting married and starting a family. Somewhat surprising (to me, anyways) this thought doesn’t scare the bajesus out of me like it once did – in fact, it’s something I am looking forward to.
One could say that the key to THAT difference is that I’ve found someone who is worth spending the rest of my life with, which is part of it to be sure, but I think there is a level of maturity one needs to reach in order to take that step. Some people don’t wait to reach that maturity, and then end up getting divorced six months later because they couldn’t handle it. I don’t count myself to be in that group – rather I finally feel like I am READY to take that step.
Other areas of my life seem to be falling into place – I’ve got what looks to be a promising career ahead of me, I’ve bought my first house and am living on my own, I’ve got a wonderful girlfriend…. the big three are definitely there. The time is right.
There’s one thing left to do – I’m working on that.
It’s fun to sit back once in a while and try to identify how you’ve changed. You sometimes learn things about yourself, little insights. Totally worthwhile.
