being young is horrible. it's like: here, have a firm, healthy body, an enquiring mind and limitless potential; but temper it with the fact that nobody thinks your emotions are real, you have no authority whatsoever, and you have no voice of any consequence to the "grown-ups".

you can have that.

i hated being young and i've never for a second wanted to turn back the clock. the paradox of youth was the worst i ever encountered, and i'm glad it's over. even from the vast distance of 34, i have no cache of fond memories of my youth. i instead recall a space of ten years during which my chief occupation was trying to survive until i was past all this shit.

i am a grown-up now. i have grown up things. such as a very important sounding "mrs" after my name; a mortgage; and some wrinkles. i am still as stupid as i ever was. but it no longer matters. i still want a treehouse. only difference is now the bank manager will approve a home loan redraw for it.(well, who is to define what "pergola" may mean to the individual ???).

suffering youth of the world, i give you this: do not listen to your nana. she can't be expected to remember clearly back that far. listen to your aunty mig. being young is gross. you are not the only one who thinks so. but remember kiddies, as any supermodel can tell you ... no matter how hard everyone else tries, being young eventually goes away. for good.

before you know it, you'll be looking back on this time saying ... "why was i such an idiot when i was young?".

promise