Did I Give Up or Did I Grow Up?

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There comes a moment in every adult-ish person's life where you're sitting in bed, wearing your ancient college t-shirt that somehow survived 12 monsoons and 56 laundry cycles, staring blankly at a text from a friend asking,

“Wanna hang out?”

And you reply with a swift, confident:

“Nope. I have plans with my weighted blanket and crippling existential dread.”

And that, dear reader, is the moment you ask yourself:

"Wait... did I just give up? Or did I grow up?"

Let’s rewind.

Once upon a time, in the era of no back pain and questionable fashion choices (low-rise capri, I’m looking at you), we said YES to everything.

• Road trip while the college attendance is below 30%? Sure.

• Maggi made in an iron box in the hostel? Obviously.

• Dating someone whose idea of communication is reacting to your Instagram story with fire emojis? Unfortunately, yes.

But somewhere between then and now, we started craving things like sleep, peace, and crockery that matches. Did we lose our spark? Did the thrill of chaos abandon us? Or... did we finally locate our dignity (it was hiding behind the microwave all along)?

Signs You’re Growing Up (and it’s not a trap, I promise):

  • You now Google medication interactions instead of texting your doctor friend at midnight.
  • You say things like “I’m not drinking today” and mean it. (Well... 80% mean it.)
  • You own at least one emergency outfit that says “I pay taxes and know how to fill out a Google Form.”
  • You cry less about people leaving and more about Swiggy removing your favorite paneer wrap.
  • You say “no” without a three-paragraph explanation.

Power move. Elite tier. Welcome to adulthood, baby.

But Wait—What About the Giving Up Part?

Let’s not pretend we didn’t abandon a few things on the way.

  • Like our dream of being the next MasterChef India contestant (turns out making burnt toast with flair is not a skill).
  • Or our fantasy of becoming an Astronaut while struggling to get above 60% in Maths.

But here's the twist:

Giving up on what doesn’t serve you is not failure. It’s feng shui for your life.

The Real Plot Twist:

Some things we label as "giving up" are actually evolution in disguise.

I didn’t "give up" on chaotic friendships—I just prefer people who text back within the same decade.

I didn’t "give up" on partying—I just discovered the joy of silent discos... at home... in my pajamas... with my plants.

I didn’t "give up" on chasing every dream—I just realized some dreams were planted by society, and others by me after a sugar high.

So What’s the Verdict?

Did I give up?

No. I just stopped doing things that made me feel like a raccoon trapped in a disco ball.

Did I grow up?

Yes. Slowly. Dramatically. With at least two identity crises and a playlist called "Existential Indie."

And I’m still growing. Still evolving. Still wondering why socks disappear in the washing machine.

But these days, I do it with a bit more grace, a dash of wisdom, and a solid SPF 50.

Moral of the story?

It’s okay to outgrow the old version of you. She served her purpose, wore neon eyeliner with star tattoos, and made fantastic mistakes. Now it’s time for the newer version—still silly, still hopeful, just with better boundaries and a retirement plan.


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