Is it normal that i'm 22 but still feel like a child?

I just want to know if I'm the only one that feels this way... hope I don't sound like a b*tch... But this is something that has truly been eating me alive for years && is driving me insane... I'm 22 years old, but I don't at all feel like a man... I still feel like a young boy... When I look at myself in the mirror and I still see the same kid from when I was still in highschool.... But I look at all my gradmates and they all look older and more mature, like they're in their older 30's... When I go to bars, sometimes I get carded, but sometimes when I'm at a bar, I feel like I don't belong, like I'm trying to be something I'm not... I try to dress & carry myself like my age... But I still feel like I'm a kid trying to be an adult... When I look at pictures of myself with groups of people I always look like I'm the youngest person in the picture, even if I'm the oldest... I spoke to my mother about it once, and she said it was because my father was never here, I was raised by my mother & grandmother... And woman can't teach you to be a man... so I believe its from growing up for 22 years without any kind of father figure in my life... I guess its just the self feeling of validation I'm longing for.... But it's seriously tearing me apart inside everyday... Why do I feel this way? Is it Normal?;?

Voting Results
83% Normal
Based on 142 votes (118 yes)
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Comments ( 13 )
  • shuggy-chan

    hey man i will forever be a kid, im 25 and i believe your as old and you feel.

    you can learn to be an "adult" and mature when you need to (work, etc) then be a Kid (yourself) on your down time

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  • green_boogers

    Most of us get 80 years, and 22 of yours are past. You can still have the kind of enriching life that you want. Better get moving.

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  • thegypsysailor

    What 22 year old male thinks of himself as a bitch? How strange; I was positive that this post was from a girl, at that point.
    Anyway, how do you think I feel? I look in the mirror and see exactly the same face I saw at 30, except the hair color has changed. I do many of the same things, I'm actually back sailing in the same places and most days I feel almost the same.
    So where did the last 38 years go? All just to turn my hair white? Of course not. I've had experiences, learned things, gone places and done things. I've loved and lost, been happy, sad and in between. That's life, right?
    Same for you. High school is behind you. You're meeting new folks. Perhaps you've moved out of mommy's house and are learning to stand on your own two feet. At any rate, you are changing, whether you can see it or not, and perhaps one day you too will look in the mirror and wonder where the last 38 years have gone.

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    • Arcangel419

      I'm not necessarily saying I myself am a bitch, because I'm sure as hell not lol... I was just hoping that what I was saying didn't make me sound like one lol... But I get what you're saying && appreciate the honesty

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  • callowlotus

    I have the same thoughts. I think the biggest problem is that genetics gave you a very young appearance in addition to not having a male figure. I asked my mom the same question but she told me that now that I am an adult, I can go out the experience new things that she couldn't teach me without a male figure around. Think of it as a late start, but if you hang around with other guys, you will find that appearance isn't a problem. Especially if you are asian lol, so many asians are so thin and small.

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  • Nokiot9

    I'm 25 and look really young. There hasn't ever been a time where I've gone uncarded at a bar or buying smokes. Everyone says I look just like I looked I'm highschool except for being a bit less skinny. It's annoying when I approach people usually,especially in bars lol, they look at me like; "are you supposed to be in here?" But I am more than confident I allay any concerns after 2 or 3 min of conversation. You can tell when someone is younger. Im really good at it anyway. I don't get how people get into 'jail bait' situations.

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  • totat.alrawi

    being old is not a matter of how old r you but it is a matter of what you have faced in life what is your accomplishment

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  • starbug

    Its normal for everyone. Guys and girls. It's possible you have other things going on that make you feel insecure, but its a general feeling for everyone. Life is hard for everyone at times and feeling out of your depth is not unusual.

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  • DangerousPotatoGuy

    The death of adulthood in America, I mean look around you (assuming that you're American). I coincidentally bumped into this piece a little over a few days ago, happy reading :)
    http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/09/14/magazine/the-death-of-adulthood-in-american-culture.html?referrer=

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  • nakyanjabel

    Hmmmmm.
    guess your just young,never mind,time will grow u up

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    • thegypsysailor

      We all must grow older, but the secret is to live life without growing up. Staying young in heart and spirit and finding a profession that's "play" instead of work; that IS the secret to a grand life.

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      • Arcangel419

        THAT was deep... Thankyou

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  • nakyanjabel

    Am sorry you feel this way.
    just go listen to beautiful pple by chris brown,u might feel better .
    am serious

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