living with peter pan syndrome

Aug 30, 2012

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Peter Pan Syndrome is a real thing, and it afflicts more people than you probably realize. Know a girl who has to set an alarm for 10:30 am? PPS. A guy who calls his mom every time he does laundry? PPS. That twenty-something-year-old who dresses like a twelve-year-old? PPS.

Peter Pan Syndrome is the inability to grow up and act one’s age. It is not to be confused with immaturity, laziness or a lack of good judgment. Although sometimes those are contributing factors, PPS usually results in much funnier (rather than serious) consequences. I personally know the challenges of living with PPS, because I have PPS. And it’s getting ridiculous.

My first trip to the laundromat a few weeks ago can be summed up in one embarrassing word – flood. I lost all but one of my forks in my last move. I recently discovered what happens when you don’t wash new towels before you use them. And before you ask, no I am not an eighteen year old who just moved out on her own – I have been out of my parents’ house – in a different state, nonetheless – for six years. See? It’s just silly.

I dunno, maybe it’s me. I’m not a Dumb Bunny so maybe it’s luck or fate or the energy I’m putting out into the world or something – whatever the cause, it has culminated as Peter Pan Syndrome. I just can’t do anything adult-y right the first time around. This has given me some good stories, but it makes it hard to be taken seriously. Now that I’ve planned to document them, perhaps they’ll stop – or I’ll just become even more forgetful every time I sit down to write. At the very least, others can be as entertained by my life as I am. At the most, I learn to appreciate the ridiculousness.

growing up

Comments

4 responses to “living with peter pan syndrome”

Mike Rister

September 5, 2012

I have been thinking a lot about my childhood lately. It is a time of innocence, but also blissful ignorance. I think that is what I loved most about being a kid; not knowing that there is danger out there, and not knowing that you have responsibilities. Who can blame someone if they want to prolong this peaceful bliss?

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ellebassetti

September 5, 2012

Ive never heard of PPS til now, but you have me convinced that is it a real thing! I too have lived out of my parents house for a few years now and constantly find myself thinking I’m all grown up; then I put foil in the microwave. Glad to know I’m not alone! For now, I encourage you to embrace, “not being able to anything adult-y right the first time”. Thanks for sharing.

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lindsayyybrown

October 2, 2012

I have maybe heard of PPS once possibly- but who knows if my mind isn’t just making it up that I have heard of it before. Anyway, so in a really long drawn out way your reference to the flood during laundry brought me to a solid realization. My friends all call me Mother Goose.. I don’t get the goose part but I am the friend that pack sandwiches for everyone when we go to Estes for the day or has sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and lotion neatly organized in my purse (the sunscreen not for me- but for everyone else.) However, no matter how “Mother Goose like” I am my biggest PPS similarity is that I literally can’t hold a drink without dropping it, spilling it, sloshing it all over the place while I talk with my hands. As a child I spilled lots of milk… Anyways. I hate that childish little factor of myself. But I do have to admit that I give all of my friends lots and lots of laughs and it reminds me that being a kid will be over all too soon. SO enjoy it!! :)

Reply
1. meredithallen
  
  October 4, 2012
  
  Glad to know I’m not the only person who thinks that more responsible friends are handy, but all of my ‘mother goose’ friends are married now. (and there had been quite the learning curve!)
  
  PS – you just marked yourself as the girl who has it all so don’t be surprised if i forget something in class I come a-calling!
  
  Reply