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A quarter of a century. The atomic number for Manganese. The average lifespan of a polar bear.

What do all of these have in common? The big 2-5.

As a kid, I thought of any 25 year-old as an older adult. To me it was the age for marriage, business suits, high heels, and glasses.

Well, my eyesight is still 20/20, I own a business suit that hasn’t been worn in over a year, I almost never wear high heels, and I’m yet to find my future life partner.

It’s amazing how I can feel both 16 and 50 at 25.

Some mornings I drink chocolate milk instead of a cup o` joe or cuppa tea to get ready for the work week.

I now have a fondness for red wine, and white wine is growing on me, too.

I watched Wall-E alone the other night and cried into my pink Snuggie.

The next morning, I got up for work to attend my weekly team meeting via Zoom in rubber ducky pajama pants.

I don’t live at home, but I miss my mom frequently and would trade my roommates for her again.

I use a moisturizer for dry skin, yet I still occasionally get a pimple.

I play Animal Crossing and Death Stranding. I also play Black Jack, Checkers, and some 70s hits on an FM radio.

I have a car, but I often use it to drive to theme parks or to get ice cream.

I pay my taxes and I get hangovers, albeit from spiked strawberry lemonade with a rainbow unicorn on the can.

I watch viral videos. I also watch birds.

Finally, I do my own grocery shopping. I do my best to buy local and well-sourced proteins, grains, and greens… But I still ride the shopping carts like a scooter.

The one constant that I’ve held onto after all these years is that no matter how old I get, I will never take the world seriously… and I’m proud of that.

I am both a child and a woman, and I believe I have found peace through this balance.

Sydney Walters

Copywriter, fiction author and PR professional from D.C. who scribbles in answers on trivia night and shouts at her Playstation. Sips hot tea or coffee from a Studio Ghibli mug. Paces while brainstorming. Conquers hot sauce.

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