Amanda Greever

I sometimes have to remind myself that I’m a grown-up. I know that sounds silly but as my 30th birthday edges closer — OK, it’s two years away — I’m reminded of all the responsibilities that come with being an adult.

I’m not just talking about paying bills and other responsibilities that come with being an adult, such as cooking, cleaning, et cetera. Being a grown-up is a mind-set rather than just a way of life.

However, the reality we face daily is a harsh one. Money is tight, and we have to cut corners wherever we can. As I type this I’m on my couch, bundled up in a sweater with my cat Mia curled against me, serving as a mini-heater. Each year I try to last as long as possible without turning the heat on to keep my electric bill down for just a little longer. We cut coupons, buy generic, whatever we have to do.

And I look around at my friends and see the majority are getting married, having babies, getting new jobs, etc. My Facebook is flooded with pictures of weddings and babies. I’ve seen folks come and go at The Daily Times in my five-year tenure as they (or their significant others) find a better job just waiting for them in the wild blue yonder. Graphics Editor Anja Smith is the latest to join that group as her last day was Friday.

So yeah, sometimes it’s hard being an adult. I can look at the bills that need to be paid, the apartment that needs to be cleaned, the oil that needs to be changed. It all starts to add up and sometimes I start thinking about that little girl that grew up the baby of the family. I was spoiled, I’ll admit it. Of course, there are those that say I still am, but I’m good with that. I’d be content being spoiled until I’m a little old lady with blue hair.

One thing I think I’ll never grow out of is my geekdom. Laugh if you will but I have Wonder Woman figurines unopened in their original packaging on my bookshelves. I even have comic books from when I was younger. I’m a collector — it’s not that I play with them. And on my desk at work, I have a Wonder Woman action figure next to my computer. She was a gift from my guy in college when I received the head job at the school’s newspaper so she had to come to The Times with me. A glance at the desks of coworkers shows I’m not the only one holding on to my childhood as various toys adorn them.

And sometimes it’s easier to think that responsibilities are few and far between. Sometimes I don’t want to think about the bills piling up, the mortality of those I love or the stagnancy of life.

I realized the other day that I was just 22 when I moved to Maryville and came to work at The Times. I was a fresh-faced kid full of dreams and ambition and a brand-new college degree burning my young fingers. I worked night shift and hung out with co-workers after we got off, often sleeping till noon or so the next day. I’ve never been much of a morning person, so it was the perfect life.

Well, my shift is different these days and that fresh-faced kid isn’t so fresh and dreamy anymore, but she’s still in here. And sometimes she busts out, making me feel as young and care-free as the day I started work here. But slowly reality sets in, and I realize that 30 is just around the corner, and Mom still doesn’t have grandkids. And I start thinking about the future, and where I see myself in five years. It might be in Maryville or it could be a newspaper across the country. Only time will tell. It’s something I think about when I actually remind myself of my age — which is only part of the time.