Shrek

“Layers. Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. Onions have layers. You get it?”

I, too, have layers, like an Ogre or an onion.

• Child layer: plays, explodes, doesn’t care
• Adolescent layer: rages, rejects, resists
• Adult layer: chooses all of it with full understanding

That’s an extreme over-simplification, but whatever, fuck you.

Psychologists calls this being “multifaceted,” but I am not like a diamond. I am like an onion. Stinky and delicious.

Childhood innocence is also not a thing. Whoever made that bullshit up is disqualified from the honor of onion status.

Cultural Expectations and Scripts

The expectation is that as we develop, we let go (reject/repress) the qualities of the previous self.

“Childish” is an insult to an adult. “Teenaged” is a synonym for immature.

We take this to the extreme. Fun is seen as frivolous. Banality is the standard. If you’re smiling, you’re an idiot.

“You have too much time on your hands” sends me into a murderous rage.

Am I supposed to be productive during every waking hour? Shut the absolute fuck up. No.

The adult gets to do their own risk-assessments. And reap their own rewards.

Loosen the reigns

Let some impulses rip.

Be childish.

Throw away your desk treadmill.

Wear all-black outfits.

Ignore a mess.

Never buy a decorative pillow.

Enjoy something ugly.

Set up autopay.

Lie to your therapist.

Hang out with your friends.

Build a slide in your house.

Spill cranberry juice on your beige sofa.

Break a stupid rule.

What matters? Nothing matters.

Let loose.

Be an onion. Tell the donkey he sucks.