The Reality of Adulthood: Freedom vs. Loneliness

Most times, I can’t help but think about the popular saying, “Adulthood na scam.” While I sometimes agree with this saying, other times, I don’t, and I just realize my perspective is a result of how I feel at the moment when I think about this popular phrase.

This week we want to know if you also were in a hurry to be on your own when you were a kid. What about now? How is it going?

The answer to this question is YES! Yes, I was in a hurry to leave my parents' house and yes I counted how many days, months, and years were left before I could finally be on my own. I waited and waited to a point my dreams of becoming independent began to seem far-fetched and it bothered me.

With every fight that occurred in parent’s house, I wanted to opt and leave, I wanted to leave so bad that when I got admission into the university, one of the major reasons for my excitement was being finally free.

When I was finally free I was so excited, and I could count the number of times I went back home for weekends or holidays in my first year. My excitement was something else and my parents had to beg me to visit frequently.

My excitement began to wane as adulthood began to show me another part of it that I wasn’t ready for. I began to understand why my parents had continuously advised me to calm down, as I had all the time in the world.

As much as I was in a hurry to grow and leave my parents' house, I still miss the good old days, and whenever I have the time, I rush back home to the people who wouldn’t reject me no matter what.

Living alone has been good and bad at the same time. Good because I have to do everything I want and I can afford everything I want without anyone scolding me or dismissing my needs. Bad because it gets pretty lonely sometimes. As much as we want to stay alone, we can’t disregard the feeling of walking into an empty house after work or eating meals alone without having anyone to share it with.

As much as I enjoy my own space, I still crave for the love and care I can get only at home, and I am happy to get that whenever I go home.

Above all, staying alone and being independent has been good so far, once you learn how to navigate it you are good.

This is my entry to the weekly prompt of the Hiveghana community, don’t forget to check out the prompt and obey the rules too.