Some days, it’s all about jumping into puddles, grinning like I’ve just solved a riddle meant only for me. If you catch me at the right moment, I might even have a lollipop in hand, savoring every sugary swirl like it’s a new experience. Gummy bears? Don’t even get me started. Those little chewy nuggets are like tiny, bear-shaped joy dispensers, and yes, I still believe each color has its own “mood.” (Red, obviously, is sass.)

People say it’s “childish,” and maybe it is. But if being an adult means forgetting how to giggle at rom-com clichés or losing the art of the well-timed practical joke, well, sign me up for the kids’ table. Life’s too short not to laugh a little longer, splash a little higher, and indulge in a candy drawer or two. And while the world around me is certainly no Disney movie (spoiler alert: it’s way too jaded for that), I’ve found my own secret to staying young: balancing a light heart with a heavy dose of authenticity.

It’s funny; people expect someone who loves gummy bears and Netflix teen romances to be naive. But just because I can find pure joy in tiny things doesn’t mean I’m not wise to the world. If anything, keeping that little spark alive—the lollipop cravings, the joke-sharing, the deep dives into puddles—is my shield. I’m not ignoring life’s sharp edges; I’m just choosing to face them with sticky fingers and a knowing grin. Because maybe, just maybe, laughing at the absurdity of it all is the most grown-up thing of all.