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Pony Talk => Off Topic => Topic started by: Duenia on October 15, 2016, 08:39:54 PM

Title: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: Duenia on October 15, 2016, 08:39:54 PM

So I've been thinking about what I thought being a grown up would be when I was a kid and how some of it turned out. I figured it might be fun to hear some others as well!

Here are some of mine:

Child: I can eat whatever I want (even cake for breakfast)
Adult: Mostly true, since I can do my own grocery shopping (and yes I have had cake for breakfast)

Child: My mom will never be able to tell me I can't have a toy
Adult: Now I have to say it to myself...

Child: I'll have a house full of toys and my own closet!
Adult: I do have a closet, and lots of toys - house to put them in still pending though.

Child: I can do whatever I want to my own room.
Adult: Sort of true, I'm renting right now but I have a lot more options that I did as a kid. I even get to do my kitchen and bathroom too. Not something I even considered but ups the fun.

Child: I'll never have to worry about anyone but myself.
Adult: This one is definitely way more complicated than I thought it would be...

I feel like I didn't dream big enough as a kid.

What were some of yours?

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: True on October 15, 2016, 08:57:31 PM

Child me: I was obsessed with learning to fly planes, "I'm going to be a commercial pilot!"
Adult me: did some introductory flying.. ok pilot's license alone is WAY TOO EXPENSIVE! xD Would still love to do that someday though, as well as own a cessna 152 just for hobby flying. u.u

Besides that, I was that kid that was kinda already thinking like a grown up. >.< I always worried about things like learning how to drive, and how difficult bills would be, and how impossible it seemed to find houses. xD I guess I started overhearing my parents financial struggles at a young age.

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: Beldarna on October 15, 2016, 11:34:43 PM

Child me: When I'm grown up, I will be a responsible adult with the answer for everything. I will never be insecure or need anyone again.

Adult me: I don't know anything and I still need mommy.

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: mopthebunny on October 16, 2016, 02:06:43 AM

Quote from: Beldarna on October 15, 2016, 11:34:43 PM

Child me: When I'm grown up, I will be a responsible adult with the answer for everything. I will never be insecure or need anyone again.

Adult me: I don't know anything and I still need mommy.

Welp, that makes two of us  :P :blush:

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: aluke on October 16, 2016, 02:35:10 AM

I'm in the same situation as True in that I thought more like an adult. I can't think of any childhood fantasies about growing up, I was more the type to question how life would be as an adult...I apparently used to ask things like "how will I know who to marry?" "how will I remember what side to drive on on every single street (conveniently that's not as complicated as I expected)?" etc.

The closest I have is my 'teenage fantasies' where I would finally be done school, decide on a career, and have that perfect life until I die. Too bad teenage me couldn't predict I'd still be directionless in what I want to do with my life. -_- I can't even say I'm out of the woods with school yet at this point.

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: Honeycomb on October 16, 2016, 06:16:13 AM

Quote from: mopthebunny on October 16, 2016, 02:06:43 AM

Quote from: Beldarna on October 15, 2016, 11:34:43 PM

Child me: When I'm grown up, I will be a responsible adult with the answer for everything. I will never be insecure or need anyone again.

Adult me: I don't know anything and I still need mommy.

Welp, that makes two of us  :P :blush:
[/

Quote from: mopthebunny on October 16, 2016, 02:06:43 AM

Quote from: Beldarna on October 15, 2016, 11:34:43 PM

Child me: When I'm grown up, I will be a responsible adult with the answer for everything. I will never be insecure or need anyone again.

Adult me: I don't know anything and I still need mommy.

Three.

Welp, that makes two of us  :P :blush:

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: tulagirl on October 16, 2016, 08:10:17 AM

Oh goodness I had my life all planned out by the age of 6.  I was going to be a doctor, live in a big house, have two children and nice career and a great husband.  I wasn't really thinking about toys because for me as a child I learned very early about responsibility and survival due to mom and I being alone after a nasty divorce.  So, I was thinking ahead.  I also went through a phase of wanting to be a nurse.  When I got into high school I tested on my career testing that I should be a doctor, "a Psychiatrist" or a Teacher.
Then I got sick.
Then I was disabled.
Then I worked no more.
I ended up being a teacher though and did get to teach for a while. I am glad I am not a Psychiatrist though.  The life trauma I have gone through would certainly help me understand others, but my patience level is low now due to pain and stuff. :huh:  I tend to get overwhelmed very easily now. Medical careers run in my family.  Teaching does also.
I have a small house, no children and a difficult but meaningful life.  Nothing like I expected ROFLOL.

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: Duenia on October 16, 2016, 09:17:38 AM

My mom and I stopped getting along when I was about 6 and pretty much had to emotionally become an adult over night without the tools to do it. So at that point everything pretty much became about getting away from that. I got super mixed messages about financial responsibility from her, and well my toys were my friends so I always figured I could pay the bills and get whatever I wanted lol.

Tulagirl - that totally reminds me. I wanted to be a Veterinarian for about 10 years. Got to my first dissection in school and couldn't do it, got sick.

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: SnorkMaiden on October 17, 2016, 06:57:53 AM

Child me: Living on my own will be really scary, and won't I feel lonely?

Adult me: Living on my own is THE BEST! If I get lonely (rarely), I just invite a friend over or go to their place. Problem solved.  :accomplished:

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: dragonfly on October 17, 2016, 10:35:12 AM

childhood me: when I grow up I am going to have a red car and a personalized license plate that says DUDE

adult me: seriously considering that license plate

child me: when I grow up I can eat the middles out of oreos and throw away the cookie part if I want to

adult me: this is totally the best part of being a grownup

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: ghouldilocks on October 17, 2016, 12:17:22 PM

Child me had grand plans to be a field paleontologist, traveling the world in an RV with my dog. Adult me is nowhere even remotely close to that as a reality, lol.

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: Skeen on October 17, 2016, 01:00:27 PM

Child Skeen: I want to be a starship captain! :D

Adult Skeen: Look, kid, I hate to break it to you, but...

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: Artemesia's Garden on October 17, 2016, 01:36:32 PM

Quote from: ClawleenMeowlen on October 17, 2016, 12:17:22 PM

Child me had grand plans to be a field paleontologist, traveling the world in an RV with my dog. Adult me is nowhere even remotely close to that as a reality, lol.

Aw.  That's a lovely dream.  I thought I might be a field botanist but that didn't pan out for me either.

As a child I was really conflicted.  I'm not currently doing the job I'd like to be doing but at least I'm working in a museum.  I kinda did know that would happen eventually, although not an art museum.  As a kid I loved books about gardens, nature and art.  As a really little kid I built a Natural History Museum in a dog kennel in my parents garden.  It had sea shells, animal bones, feathers, birds eggs and dried flowers.  There was no longer a dog.  Later I found work experience in a nature reserve.  But my family didn't know anything about working in nature reserves or museums.  I was confused about what I would do when I left school, I knew I wanted to go to university but I couldn't really see my role in the word beyond it.  I was put off by competitive people.  I wish I'd had more faith in myself at University, ignored my parents and pushed for the career I wanted when I left.  I wasn't encouraged in my passions by my parents and although it was clear that I had to do well and get a job I had no idea how.  People get into these careers it turns out by taking a taught masters degree, or doing an internship.  But my parents didn't understand paying for professional qualifications or working for free.  So I did a 'sensible' science subject, right up to PhD level.  Then I got bored and found other things at different times along the way, fell into a few pitfalls, like teaching in state schools.  Now hopefully having learned the hard way that there is no easy way I will do better!  I have spent a lot of time volunteering now and investing in my professional development.  So in conclusion I knew what I wanted to do when I was a kid, then I let the world talk me out of it and then I decided to go after it again!

I also loved My Little Pony as a kid and fully intended to buy all the ones I wanted as soon as there was no-one to criticise me.  And here I am.  I will never fulfil that ambition but I'm in great company trying  :lol:

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: Taxel on October 17, 2016, 07:33:42 PM

Quote from: dragonfly on October 17, 2016, 10:35:12 AM

childhood me: when I grow up I am going to have a red car and a personalized license plate that says DUDE

adult me: seriously considering that license plate

I remember sitting on the floor in my room with my pink VW Barbie Bug and counting all the letters in the word "barbie" to figure out how I'd have a license plate with it in the future.

As an adult I don't drive and don't even collect Barbie xD

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: Haruna on October 17, 2016, 08:05:52 PM

Quote from: Artemesia Floc on October 17, 2016, 01:36:32 PM

I also loved My Little Pony as a kid and fully intended to buy all the ones I wanted as soon as there was no-one to criticise me.  And here I am.  I will never fulfil that ambition but I'm in great company trying  :lol:

Ha ha! That's awesome. We're living the dream!

I love everyone's responses. I don't really remember what I thought about adulthood when I was younger; I do remember thinking 16 seemed really old (that was when my parents would allow me to date and when I'd be able to drive, all of which seemed mysterious and grown-up to me) I don't think I thought about growing up much, come to think of it. It just happened, heh.

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: Griffin on October 18, 2016, 02:46:22 AM

Quote from: Beldarna on October 15, 2016, 11:34:43 PM

Child me: When I'm grown up, I will be a responsible adult with the answer for everything. I will never be insecure or need anyone again.

Adult me: I don't know anything and I still need mommy.

This sums it up for me too, pretty much! My mum is the kind of person who's not afraid to deal with stuff - when something needs to be taken care of, she grabs the phone or makes an appointment and gets things done. She is also not afraid to confront people when she feels it's needed. Sometimes I still wonder why all that is so difficult for me... I thought it would be different when I grew up.

On a lighter note, as a child I always dreamt of a horse of my own. I did realise they cost a lot of money but what I thought less about was the amount of time you had to devote if you were a horse owner. My dream pretty much came true when I was about fifteen (through joint ownership) so I now have some experience. What I really couldn't imagine as a child was that there would be one day I didn't want a horse of my own anymore. :P I still love them but I'm happy without owning one myself.

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: ghouldilocks on October 18, 2016, 07:37:02 AM

Quote from: Skeen on October 17, 2016, 01:00:27 PM

Child Skeen: I want to be a starship captain! :D

Adult Skeen: Look, kid, I hate to break it to you, but...

lol! When I was a kid, I used to desperately wish that Starfleet were real. I still wish Starfleet were real, though.  :drunk:

Quote from: Artemesia Floc on October 17, 2016, 01:36:32 PM

Quote from: ClawleenMeowlen on October 17, 2016, 12:17:22 PM

Child me had grand plans to be a field paleontologist, traveling the world in an RV with my dog. Adult me is nowhere even remotely close to that as a reality, lol.

Aw.  That's a lovely dream.  I thought I might be a field botanist but that didn't pan out for me either.

As a child I was really conflicted.  I'm not currently doing the job I'd like to be doing but at least I'm working in a museum.  I kinda did know that would happen eventually, although not an art museum.  As a kid I loved books about gardens, nature and art.  As a really little kid I built a Natural History Museum in a dog kennel in my parents garden.  It had sea shells, animal bones, feathers, birds eggs and dried flowers.  There was no longer a dog.  Later I found work experience in a nature reserve.  But my family didn't know anything about working in nature reserves or museums.  I was confused about what I would do when I left school, I knew I wanted to go to university but I couldn't really see my role in the word beyond it.  I was put off by competitive people.  I wish I'd had more faith in myself at University, ignored my parents and pushed for the career I wanted when I left.  I wasn't encouraged in my passions by my parents and although it was clear that I had to do well and get a job I had no idea how.  People get into these careers it turns out by taking a taught masters degree, or doing an internship.  But my parents didn't understand paying for professional qualifications or working for free.  So I did a 'sensible' science subject, right up to PhD level.  Then I got bored and found other things at different times along the way, fell into a few pitfalls, like teaching in state schools.  Now hopefully having learned the hard way that there is no easy way I will do better!  I have spent a lot of time volunteering now and investing in my professional development.  So in conclusion I knew what I wanted to do when I was a kid, then I let the world talk me out of it and then I decided to go after it again!

I also loved My Little Pony as a kid and fully intended to buy all the ones I wanted as soon as there was no-one to criticise me.  And here I am.  I will never fulfil that ambition but I'm in great company trying  :lol:

That's a shame that you didn't really go for your passion initially. I certainly understand not being given sufficient guidance or support early on, though - I have always had too many areas of interest, so in high school, I never had any idea what I wanted to do. If I could do it over again, I would go to community college right out of high school, and get certified for radiography or something, so I could have been earning a decent wage while continuing my education; my high school never really discussed all realistic options for students, they kind of just pushed either military enlistment or university. I also wish I'd done dual credit in high school, too, but again...never really had any guidance as far as being made aware that was an option.  -_-

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: zombienixon on October 18, 2016, 06:17:45 PM

I can't really remember much what I expected adulthood to be like when I was little, but I do remember that when I was around 7 or so I wanted to be a cartoonist.  I think I also wanted to be like my Dad, which is kind of ironic since now I use him as an example of what not to do. That said, I am working in the same area he did.

I do draw things for a living, but instead of cartoons, it's production prints for cutting tools.

I think I also wanted to have a sports car, most likely a C4 Corvette.  I'm kind of halfway there since I have a hot hatch, and want to eventually sell it and get a Miata.

I can tell you one thing- having a large collection of My Little Pony toys, I did not see that one coming.
 

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: Harmonie on October 19, 2016, 03:28:39 PM

Childhood me had not just dreams, but expectations that I would go to college, graduate, find the love of my life, and go live out a fairly normal life.

...I hit 'adulthood' pretty hard at 18, when I suddenly came to recognize that none of that was guaranteed, and, in fact, it wouldn't be happening for me.

I wish more than anything I could have a second go at handling that realization properly...

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: Tulips on October 19, 2016, 07:15:49 PM

I don't really remember my childhood, but I reckon I probably wanted to be a vet when I grew up. I did a week of work experience in a vet as a teen and spent five years working in a grooming salon attached to a vet, I very quickly decided I never wanted to be a vet.

Other than that I don't recall thinking about what life would be like as an adult, I don't recall much. I'm 24 now and still have no idea what I want to do or what to expect from life.

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: scarletjul on October 19, 2016, 09:47:51 PM

I went through a lot of phases of wanting to be different things, from a teacher, to an archaeologist to a published author.  Child me wanted to a published writer for a very long period, where I would write books, have a husband and children and a big house with a pool.  At one point, I also wanted to be a stage actress, but that was more during middle school.  :)

Adult me still isn't published but she still plans to be published.  I just don't plan to make a career of it anymore.

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: SnorkMaiden on October 20, 2016, 07:22:08 AM

Quote from: scarletjul on October 19, 2016, 09:47:51 PM

I went through a lot of phases of wanting to be different things, from a teacher, to an archaeologist to a published author.  Child me wanted to a published writer for a very long period, where I would write books, have a husband and children and a big house with a pool.  At one point, I also wanted to be a stage actress, but that was more during middle school.  :)

Adult me still isn't published but she still plans to be published.  I just don't plan to make a career of it anymore.

Good point. I think it's very common for children to think that a hobby (may it be writing, singing, painting, sports etc) will become their profession one day, and then when they grow up, they realise that very few people make their living out of those things and just keep them as a hobby.

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: ringwraith10 on October 27, 2016, 02:17:43 PM

Child: I can eat whatever I want (even cake for breakfast)
Adult: I'm hypoglycemic and have PCOS and if I eat the wrong foods bad things will happen to my body, so I better just stick to vegetables. :(

Also, when I was a little kid I couldn't wait till I got to read textbooks in school that were all words with no pictures.

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: shelvesofwhimsy on October 27, 2016, 02:30:59 PM

Child: I'm going to be married by the time I'm 22, and have 4 kids by the time I'm in my late 20's.
Adult: *has small panic attack going into babies r us at age 23 (27 now)

Child: I can't wait to grow up
Adult: There is no such thing as "growing up"

Child: I'm going to build a house next to my parents and live there!
Adult: *moved to opposite side of country*

Title: Re: Childhood Dreams of Adulthood vs Real Adulthood
Post by: Kittywhiskers on October 27, 2016, 02:37:10 PM

Quote from: Beldarna on October 15, 2016, 11:34:43 PM

Child me: When I'm grown up, I will be a responsible adult with the answer for everything. I will never be insecure or need anyone again.

Adult me: I don't know anything and I still need mommy.

This. Plus I wanted to be an astronaut. ...Leaving my house is enough of an adventure. I don't think I'll ever be ready to leave the planet.