If you thought growing up was still the rage, you’re only partially right. Age, being the kind of thing it is, shares one aspect with the second law of thermodynamics – it goes ‘downhill’ – from a state of order to chaos down the irreversible arrow of time. So, whether we like it or not, we are, indeed, fated to grow up – and sideways, for many people – no matter how immature one may strike in a gathering. But human agency, along with modern behavioural practices, have made ‘growing down’ – behaving as if one is younger than one is when alone or even among other people – not just acceptable but downright preferable.
This is not just 50-plus men and women getting surgically enhanced or picking up the latest gab from the internet (and using it badly). This is about caring less about coming across as a person endowed with gravitas, wisdom, maturity. So, no longer cabined, cribbed confined to ‘acting one’s age’ – itself a strange concept, since when did we start resembling processed food? Growing down means to take it easy, letting responsibilities keep your feet on the ground without holding you down. And guess what’s the best thing about growing down? It’s the fact that you are old enough now to act ‘not one’s age’, rather than not having any choice in the matter. Growing down is what you do after you’re done growing up.
