TAKING PEOPLE BY SURPRISE
Yesterday I had a woman come up to me and ask if I was in high school, stating that I indeed appeared to be of about sixteen or seventeen. After explaining to her that I had graduated from university two-years ago (has it really been two-years?) and that I was approaching 23, she declared that I 'must be doing something right'. We had a good ole' laugh about it and she went on her merry way. Unbeknown to her just a fortnight ago an elderly man had said the exact same thing, no doubt worried that I was wagging class. In fact, this is not a rare occurrence in the life of me, with people often mistaking me for being at least a decade younger.
I continually ask myself, is this a compliment? In ten-years or so I'll definitely welcome such a statement, but at just 22, are they wiping the last half-a-decade of experience and achievements off my list? After all, how incredibly much do we change post-school? I think they would have a fit if they knew I was settled down in a de facto relationship, pursuing my own business and a mother to a beautiful ragdoll kitten (tehehe).
And then as I edited the above photographs late last night, I realised that I actually do just look young. There are two ways I can look at this: 1) that yes, people may disregard me as a naive teen; or, 2) that I will continually take people by surprise, so long as I keep up my skincare routine. Perhaps I am just an over-achieving teen with a degree under my belt and the world at my feet.
Next time somebody declares me as a young student, I think I'll simply reply with 'thank you'.
