Thursday, September 19, 2013

the time of your life

Last week Perry was telling me a story about his workday wherein he said to his class of high school juniors that overused platitude "These are the best years of your life." 
10th grade Amy's reaction to said platitude.
"Really?" I asked him. I hated when I was told that by a few of my own high school teachers. High school wasn't exactly that great for me, and if I had honestly believed that it would be my lifetime's highlight, it would have been quite depressing.

I was surprised that he had said this since I know he had some very rough times himself when he was in high school, so I asked him to explain. He followed up with what I expected: "You don't have any responsibilities. No job. No bills."
Not exactly a bad time here.

More people are using the "best years of your life" label on their university years now, but I suppose the reasoning behind it is the same: little to no responsibilities (and the added bonus of no parental supervision.)

I've never agreed with the idea that less responsibilities = more happiness. I would much rather go to work every day and pay my own way than have to follow someone else's rules. I don't think responsibilities have to mean stress or unpleasantness.

If you'd ask me what the best time of my life was, I'd say now. Right now. Since I've graduated from university every year has gotten easier for me, which I almost completely attribute to having the means (money) to do as I please and live my life on my own terms.

I wouldn't say that I had a terribly unpleasant childhood. I was well provided for, healthy, and had some very good friends. However, I couldn't say that my childhood was idyllic either. My father had anger issues, and only when looking back years later, I can see that he had a drinking problem also. My parents both worked full time jobs an hour away, and much of my later childhood years were spent taking care of my three younger siblings: getting them up and ready for school and after school making dinner, packing lunches, and making sure baths were taken and teeth were brushed. So, from the age of 12 on I couldn't say that I had "no responsibilities". 
Faking it.
Oh, and college. Almost all of the time I wasn't in a classroom, I was studying or working. I was broke and sleep deprived all five years.  I have never been so exhausted in my entire life.

Not faking it.

Sure high school and college had their good times. I made some friends. Had some fun experiences. Started figuring myself and the world out a bit. But oh, god. Would I want to do it again? No. No. No.




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