Why do we turn into wimps when we grow up?
By Loen210
@Loen210 (1540)
United States
March 27, 2010 7:16pm CST
Why do we turn into wimps when we grow up? It's only half a joke, as I know we much stronger in some things.
But for example, as a toddler and through childhood I loved wiggly worms! I thought they were so cute, and was so sad whenever they were out on the street dying. I even would end up late for school after it rained, since I'd be bending over, picking up, and trying to save all the worms in my pathway. I used to even keep a big cardboard box filled with soil and dirt, that I kept some as pets in!
But after I grew up, and now, I can't even imagine touching them. Scary, gross, though i feel so bad about it. Eeek!
And rain in general. I LOVED RAIN. My best friend and I through childhood an dteenage years, used to just dance out in the rain any moment it trickled or poured like crazy! We made up dances and made up silly prayers to make it rain, as we loved it. Now I hate when it rains and gets you wet and dampens the place.
What do you guys think? And why does it change in us when we grow up?
3 people like this
9 responses
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
28 Mar 10
I think it's the innocence at the time and curiosity as well as a child that made you enjoy simple things and not mind at things that looked gross to you now. As a child we tend to explore and discover things and then develop a sense of liking to many of it which could be kept as we grow up or just forget about it and change priorities. I don't think we grow up to be wimps, just more aware and knowledgeable of things around us which gives us perspective of everything around us.
1 person likes this
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
28 Mar 10
Thanks for that response.
Yes, I think that when we get older, we do understand more things and have more knowledge.
But for like rain, I loved it, and danced in it, even when a teenager. But now I hate getting wet and grumble when it rains. ;o)
And worms, I have not discovered/learned things about them that should make me think they are more gross, since I know what good and innocent creatures they are. I still feel so bad for them when they drown in the rain, and know that even if I tried I couldn't rescue them burrying into the mud, since they'd just die, but I get all fidgety and nervous when I see them now.
1 person likes this
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
28 Mar 10
Because we have been told to conform to social norms or die. We have to do what "The Man" says or we don't get a job and we don't get ahead in life. We are told to be everything that people like or we are nothing at all. We are told to fit in.
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
28 Mar 10
I don't think that adults are wimps in that area.
When I was a girl, I was afraid of dogs and most animals, but now that I am an adult, I am not afraid of things like that. The only thing that I am afraid of is the unfulfilled life. I am afraid of not having lived my life the way I wanted to live it.
I think that adults who are afraid of childish things need to set priorities straight.
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
28 Mar 10
Huh? I believe I know what you are referring to, but not quite as sure hwo this matches my question.
Having to fit into job/activity groups, we aren't wimps to join them. But my my thoughts were, i.e., "Why am I scared or skittish about worms and not touch them now, when I loved them and played with them all the time as a child?" "Why do I despise rain so much now when it used to be a blessing to go and dance in?"
@goldeneagle (6745)
• United States
1 Apr 10
I am actually the opposite. I have become more adventurous as I have matured. When I was a kid, I would spend time out in the woods with my friends and stuff (I grew up in rural Georgia), but I wouldn't do some of the things that the other kids did. I didn't like bugs and stuff the way most kids do.
Things are totally different now. There are still some things that I don't like. I hate snakes and spiders, but there aren't too many other things that really bother me anymore. There isn't too much that I won't try at least once, and although I do have a physical handicap, I have a lot more confidence in myself than I use to.
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
1 Apr 10
Woohoo!
Go you. That's great. You've gotten braver, stronger, and more ready to do things adn take things. Perhaps if you became handicapped in your later years, that strengthened you mentally much more?
I don't love or hate snakes and spiders, but when they are in the house, I never kill them.I am fittish (sp?) when it comes to that and get nervous is they are near me, and upset if my cat catches and eats it, though i don't scold her. ;o)
Goodnight, friend, and thanks for posting
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
29 Mar 10
I think what happens when we grow up is that we become more and more aware of consequences and therefore we become afraid of things that as a kid we would just jump in and try without a thought. I am a lot more squeamish than I used to be, I remember having snails as pets and letting them walk all over my hands and leave a slimy trail, yuk! I would not be inclined to do that now!
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
30 Mar 10
Hi Paula!
Aww, thanks for posting. How cute, with teh snail story. Yes, I used to touch them too, and now I am a bit squeaky and nervous when I see especially slugs. But at least I would not harm them. Poor things. So many animals, esp. worms and slugs are all drowning now with this repeating rainstorm weather.
I like hearing others' examples of their experience of turnign wimpy too. ;o)
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
11 Apr 10
I think it's because we knew less back then. We didn't know that worms have certain bacterias that goes with them. And as grow, we get a little sophisticated and so when it rains, we get wet and messy therefore we don't wanna get wet anymore.
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
11 Apr 10
Thanks for posting, frontvisions101,
Yes, we are more knowledgeable about the danger of bacteria and realize that we can get sick from colds in the rain too. But I still have to say, we turn into wimps (not terribly I guess). But all bugs I used to love picking up, have them climb all over me, adopt them. But now, I just nervous around them, though I do not kill them. :o)
Thanks again. Happy non-wimpy days to you and all!
@setsuna26 (2751)
• Philippines
28 Mar 10
Well maybe because our body is slowly deteriorating thats why we just cant help it but to become a lil bit weaker physically most of the time.We can do something bout it by regularly exercising and eating healthy food so that the effects will be minimized ;)
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
28 Mar 10
hi loen we grow up thats all and we are all hearing the tapes sent to us from parents dont climb that tree, you'll fall and get hurt, dont stay out in the rain, you will get sick. dontdo this or you end up this way or that , all those negative vibes run through our brains and we lose a lot of that child's interest in every thing and wonder in all things new and magical. we need to let our child out once in awhile and do some of those donts, like a little carefree child. Play once in a while, and let the kid free. 
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
28 Mar 10
Hatley,
Great to hear from you; I see you have changed your avatar too. Yes, isn't it lucky and wonderful how quickly a child can have fun with th elittle things in life? It is good to sometimes release and find that inner child. ;o)
What are some of the things that you loved or used as a child, and now hate or are afraid of?
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
28 Mar 10
Now that you mention it, it has happened to me too with things that I liked when I was a kid and I can't stand now.
Maybe through so many experiences not only our external appeareance changes, but also our internal one, so we turn into completely different people when we grow up.
@lilmishap (14)
•
28 Mar 10
As kids we are at our best. Better immune systems and the opportunity to develop our bodis as we want. As we ade we lose immune strengths we have less need to explore as adult life is geared towards settling down. Also as adults we are likely to have dependents so it is less favourable for us to be reckless. Our ofspring need us to survive and be healthy.
There are exceptions I was scared of the dark until 10 ish. And injections. But now they don't bother me. So its not all one way. It is true that as children you have very few fears. Fears are mostly learnt so it makes sense that the young dont have as many as the old. The young haven't had time to learn them yet!
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
28 Mar 10
Hi Lilmishap,
Thanks for posting. I like your positive (to US as ADULTS) response too. :o) It's true as a child we are carefree, happy, more innocent, and less experienced, but we also do get much more educated and realize certain things.
Your case of the dark and injections are on the "experience" level, as in the more you get used to it, the easier it is.
