I believe wisdom can come in three ways: with time, when you stop taking things personally and when you stop following the latest trends.
You can notice the lack of wisdom in some children in elementary, middle school and high school. Elementary children care a lot about having the newest gaming console or phone, or even talking to their friends, and nothing else really bothers them.
Middle schoolers are odd. Maybe it is because they are starting puberty. They care more about what people think about them or the person they are crushing on at the moment.
Another thing about middle schoolers is they believe the friends they have and who they hang out with defines if they’re “chill.”
High school defines a big part of a teenager’s life. During that time, they may experience a combination of all of the above: friends, gadgets, crushes–everything except their education.
That’s how it was my first three years of high school. My priority was being liked by the people I hung out with, which was a waste of time because I don’t even talk to them anymore.
It was not until my senior year in high school that I finally cared about my classes and grades. The college experience is not exactly how they describe it, but it gives more freedom.
This changes your view on social life.
My thinking is that it can go either like it went in high school or change completely to make it fit your personality as an adult.
I went with the second option, making my college life “miserable”–at least that’s how other people see it– but I love it.
I focused on my studies and made friends in my field. Sometimes, however, it takes unexpected turns.
I joined a group of friends and tried going to a party. I had a good time but didn’t see what was so different from going to a normal get-together.
After this, I just focused more on my personal health and school. I stopped caring who was popular or if I had the best clothes.
I stopped taking everything so personally.
Don’t take it wrong, sometimes I do take a thing or two personally and it stays with me. Yet, the ideal thing to do would be to let it go, but no one is perfect.
It is like my grandma always would say, “Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo”.
This doesn’t apply to everyone, of course, but so far, it’s been like that for me.
If you’re not there yet, don’t worry: Expect to be chill by 30.
