Birthday 3.0 "I don't wanna grow up."



I guess It's time I left the Youth of my Adulthood and became a "grown up."

Today I turn 30.

I don't know about the rest of you out there in blogger land but 30 has always been a big "SCARY" milestone age for me.

When you're 18, you are "officially" considered an adult, but you're still very much a child. Think of it as adult with training wheels. You still have limitations on what you can do but you're now 100% responsible for your actions. It's a time of learning how to live on your own and decide what you want to be when you're done "growing up."

When you're 21 the training wheels come off. You've graduated to being a full fledged adult, and as a bonus, you're now trusted with alcohol. LoL. Though you're considered an adult with all rights and privileges, you still have a lot to learn. You're still very much a kid.You're still figuring things out and making lots of mistakes on the way. And that's OK... you're supposed to at this age. It's called life experience.

When you're 25 "they" decide you've learned enough to get some adult type bonuses... Lower car insurance!!! Now people start to look at you a little more seriously. You're supposed to know more and have a little more direction in your life, but hey, you're still 20-something so you get a little bit of slack.

30, on the other hand, at least in my view, is where you're looked at as, "real adult." You've had time to gain some real life experience and direction. The college years are usually behind you, you've made plenty of mistakes and hopefully learned from them. You're not a kid anymore. Welcome to real adulthood. (dun dun dunnnnnn)

So yeah, this year is a big one for me. But even though I'm an adult adult now, I still feel like a little kid. I don't wanna grow up!

Can I still be a kid? Can I... Pretty Please with a cherry on top?

And because no birthday is complete without a trip down memory lane, here are some of my favorite Childish "Adult" Moments from the last 12 years.















9 comments:

Stefanie J Pristavu said...

Wow Katie!
Happy birthday! I know exactly what you mean. I thought I'd get a nervous breakdown when I turned 20. I can't imagine what it would be like when I'll be 30. To me, it's like a milestone to see what I've achieved in my life. (hopefully I'll have a job, 2 kids and be published:p).
But I realized that I'm stuck at 19. I never passed that age. I told this to my mom (she's 47) and she said: And you'll remain stuck at 19. We all are, honey, we all are.
I saw that as an encouragement!
So happy 19th birthday, Katie!

Katie Salidas said...

Thank you Stephanie! I like that thought process. I'd like to be stuck at 21. That was a fun age. So let's just call this my 21+ birthday!

Okie said...

Happy birthday! Don't worry...I think it's entirely possible (and advisable) to "grow older" without "growing up". A certain level of youthfulness and immaturity are what make a more complete adulthood.

Katie Salidas said...

I like the way you think!!

Unknown said...

Wow Happy Birthday! I'll be 29 for the first time in April. I'm so going to copy this post idea and preparing the pictures now. I hope you don't mind. LOL I love the one where you are shooting.

Katie Salidas said...

Thanks Bri! That was the second time I had ever shot a gun, and I got to use a suppressor (notice, no ear protection?). It was so cool!!

I'll have to check with you in April and see what photos you come up with.

Stefanie J Pristavu said...

Lol, okay, Katie - you can stay at 21. But down here in Romania, we're aloud to drink and drive at 18 (not at the same time though). So I'll stick to 19 :)

Katie Salidas said...

I never understood the rule that says you're an adult at 18 but can't drink. Most countries don't do it, but here in America it's an annoyance for many of the in-betweeners. I remember having to find people to buy the alcohol for me back then.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday.... I love what you wrote I felt the same way but take it from me who is now "41" you can still be a kid... That's what I love about it.. I feel young at heart so I am :-)

Unless your at the Dr's office and you start getting the you are older now speech and the added tests and so on and so on... That starts at 35 :-)

My husband use to tease me about getting those speeches until he came home a couple of weeks ago from his Dr's visit and said.... with a frown "I got the you are getting older now speech" He He Oh yes I did the you got the speech dance :-)

He turns the big 40 this December and I'll be 42 but as the years flew by I still wouldn't change a thing other than having more money to put the kids in boarding school. Maybe :-)

Happy Birthday Katie

About The Author

Katie Salidas is a USA Today bestselling author and RONE award winner known for her unique genre-blending style.

Since 2010 she's penned five bestselling book series: the Immortalis, Olde Town Pack, Little Werewolf, Chronicles of the Uprising, and the all-new Agents of A.S.S.E.T. series. As her not-so-secret alter ego, Rozlyn Sparks, she is a USA Today bestselling author of romance with a naughty side.

In her spare time Katie also produces and hosts a YouTube talk show; Spilling Ink. She also has a regular column on First Comics News where she explores writing from a nerdy perspective.