Never Dim Your Light For Anybody
Break free, step out, and shine unapologetically
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“I can’t believe you’re so young, yet you have the charisma of a thirty-year-old,” Dr. Taiwo said, staring intently at my eyeballs.
A part of me took it as a compliment, and it was.
Society today has damaged our thinking. People often expect you to behave in specific ways when you reach a certain age.
They expect you to speak, dress, smile, belch, and eat in a particular way. And that’s the conventional standard.
But why do you think Dr. Taiwo complimented me?
I'm in my early twenties, but being compared to a thirty-year-old feels like receiving my flowers early.
I’m not a vegan, but a beautifully-scented rose is welcomed.
Returning to my point, Dr. Taiwo, like many adults, may find it difficult to recognize that I am just a young, vibrant man. And that’s because I don’t act my age.
If you’re a good observer of trends, you’ll notice people expect you to have a threshold for happiness. They believe when you’re 30, you should stop smiling. In their mind frame, your life should scare you and things should get serious, right?
Why have we decided to fuel discomfort in others? Why do people have to lose their child-like spirit because they’ve clocked a certain age?
Who set these standards? If everyone decided to spread the ‘act your age’ gospel, the agenda might never work, because I have seen adults who don’t act like one.
Not everyone would act their age, and that’s perfectly okay. I have encountered adults who said dumb things, and I was astonished by their reasoning. But they’re adults?
It’s what society does to you. When you allow unnecessary advice in your life, you lose your identity. It feels good to follow the crowd. You don’t want to be the odd one, but it wasn’t written anywhere that you must embrace arrogance at forty.
Is there a guideline that dictates we must stop dreaming, playing, or building at a certain age?
If you find it, please burn it.
I attended a conference last week, and it was such a fun experience. I’m heavy on punctuality, so I got there early. The sessions were value-packed and when it was time for Q&A, I heard a distinct voice across the room say, “I have a question please.”
Think about it: It wasn’t a complex sentence, anybody could utter it, but the difference was the tone. I was tempted to turn my head and saw a grey-haired man raising his hands in agreement with his earlier claim.
I’m sure he’s older than my dad. But the excitement in his voice was admirable. Imagine you were at the conference, don’t you think it’ll be super easy to approach him after the event, compared to someone who frowned his face throughout because the small chops hadn’t arrived?
The man is a part of society, but he chooses not to let anyone restrict his happiness. He did what he felt was right. And it was obvious he was not only soft-spoken but a kind-hearted man.
And that’s what you must understand about life. You need to defy age expectations. You don’t have to agree with everything.
Never dim your light on other people’s expectations. If they tell you to act your age, do what works best for you. Don’t follow society’s mantra by putting yourself under pressure over little things. If you just turned 30, enjoy your life. Go out. Play football. Visit the beach. 70? Enjoy even more. Spend quality time with family.
Age is a number, and only you can show your level of adaptability. Activating your inner child doesn’t make you stupid; it keeps you alive.
So, never slow down to please anyone. Most people don’t understand how the human spirit works. Energy is not just about youth; it’s about purpose, passion, and perspective.
If growing up feels dull, maintain your youthful spirit and keep your laughter alive.
You’re not built by the society. You’re a culmination of everything you’ve experienced and learned.
Why do you want to lower your spirit because of someone else?
What is stopping you?
The society’s opinion or yours?
