When you're younger, you've got a million fun answers to that question ... astronaut, geologist, rockstar. When you're older, you'd be happy to settle for 'debt-free'.
As I see it now, 'maturity' is about realising that that's not a bad answer. Contrary to what your younger you might think, you're not selling out ... just growing up.
In a way, that growing up is about discovering that although you cannot necessarily become *anything* you want to be, you CAN be and do a lot more than you'd ever be able to list (including things you're currently not even interested in).
In an environment where you can be anything, it's often easier to just define yourself by what you don't want to be. The older you get, then, the bigger that bag of anti-definitions gets and an identity for 'you' emerges.
I like Coca Cola because I don't like all the other drinks. I watch Rules of Engagement because I don't like Idols. I don't eat peas because ... life's too short for that. Tomorrow, all of this may change: just give me a new softdrink, a new TV show and a potato.
For me, being 28 is also a really weird age: it's like I'm on a rollercoaster, just cruising slowly to a halt while approaching the crest of a steep section. You realise there's still a lot to life (this is going to speed up!), but you're pretty tired about it all and it ... just ... seems so long, and simultaneously way too short.
I mean, wasn't I meant to start saving back when I was 16 if I wanted to retire early? There goes that dream then.
For whatever reason we don't seem to be talking about these things, and I don't know why not. It's not like we don't all go through the same emotions, right?
