Today's Forecast: In the Teens
I heard some bad news recently. One of our Behavioral Sciences lecturers was teaching us about the psychosocial development of teenagers. He said that some of the latest studies show certain areas of brain development continue until the about the age of 25. Particularly, the areas involved in problem-solving and judgment are still maturing. Then he dropped the bomb. “I interpret these results to mean that we are all still adolescents up until about age 25.”
My immediate reaction to this disturbing piece of information went something like, “Whatever, dude. I’m a mature adult. You don’t know me! I hate you, I hate you, I hate YOUUUUUUU!”
After slamming the door to my room and pounding my pillow a few times, I started to feel better. It’s just that, I thought I was done, you know? I mean, not physically of course. Puberty has only just begun releasing me from its awkward grasp. (However, there are some advantages to being a late bloomer. My fingers are still crossed for that growth spurt. Any day now.) But mentally, I thought I had moved past teenaged immaturity.
I associate my teen years most with high school. I fondly think of my days at North Stafford High as the best of times, and the worst of times. Except, subtract the “best of times.” There was the crushing shyness, the unrelenting acne, the fear of being an outcast and isolated, and worst of all (my blood runs cold just thinking about it) four years of high school band.
Alright, I suppose it wasn’t that bad. I managed to never get shoved into a locker or experience a “swirlie.” And I never got arrested for doing anything stupid; a record which I’m proud to say continues to this day. And, to be serious for a moment, I had two wonderful parents whose unconditional love made even the worst days not seem so bad.
You know, I suppose this still being a teenager thing might not be so bad after all. It means I’m still changing, still growing. Only now, I have the gift of perspective.
Or whatever.