Age seems straightforward

You grow up, little by little you get more mature. You learn, you become a person that is different than who you were before

Right?

In a sense, sure. There are physical changes that one undergoes as they age and mature. There are physical structures that change

Our culture puts different assumptions on different ages. As you hit certain milestones, the expectations of what you're allowed to do changes

The kind of person you're allowed to be, the kind of weaknesses and desires you're allowed to have...

But... these are all different things, are they not?

Age seems straightforward, but it isn't.

I have lived for 24 years, by most definitions, I am an adult

And yet, at times, my age feels almost like a joke compared to how I act, how I perceive myself, how I wish to be treated

What I'm describing is a feeling far more intense than simple passing immaturity

My mind regresses into forgotten fears, joys, and modes of thought

Things I was forced to leave behind define me once again

Sometimes, I'm not an adult

And yet of course, I am 24

But does that make me an adult?

Adulthood by definition of experience, definition of years lived, sure.

But adulthood by definition of maturity, by ways of thinking, by how I wish to be perceived and treated?

Sometimes yes. But sometimes, no.