Translated by AI

Not Growing Up Is Not an Escape, But a Rethink of the Definition of Growth

"Peter Pan" is often used to symbolize those who refuse to grow up. While psychology has coined this state as "Peter Pan Syndrome," it carries an overly medicalized tone. Within the context of a life intern, we don't see it as an illness, but as a common phenomenon: contemporary definitions of "growth" have become complex and multifaceted. The reason why we "refuse to grow up" is not due to rejection but because we have yet to fully comprehend that the grown-up version of ourselves is just a new form.

The Peter Pan Phenomenon Is Not Stagnation, But a Yearning for Freedom

Peter Pan flew to Neverland, taking children away from rules, expectations, and reality. This story transcends generations because everyone harbors the same desire—to preserve dreams, exploration, playfulness, and freedom.

Modern definitions of being an "adult" starkly contrast this: we must be mature, rational, stable, responsible, and efficient... When these expectations become burdensome, our inner child, reluctant to grow up, emerges as a psychological resilience response.

"I'm not ready to become the kind of adult you define yet."

This shouldn't be classified as immaturity, but rather as an insight into problems in the definition of growth itself.

Life Intern Perspective: There Are No Absolute Adults; We Are Integrated Multiversions

This is the core insight of a life intern—humans do not grow in a linear fashion, but exist as four-dimensional integrals. Each age layer of "me" still resides within the body:

• 5 years old: The curiosity of childhood.
• 17 years old: The boundaries and rebellion of adolescence.
• 30 years old: The pursuits and contradictions of young adulthood.
• 55 years old: The insights and reflections of older age.

At 30, you're not "becoming an adult," but rather an integration of child, adolescent, and young adult. At 55, you're not totally mature, but a coexistence of multiversions.

Thus, "adults" are merely social facades, convenient skins for communication. Our true selves are multilayered players built from memories, experiences, and emotions.

"Releasing Childlike Innocence" Is Not Regression, But Acknowledgment That There Is Still a Child Within

People often say "to find our inner child" as if it's been lost. From a life intern's perspective, childlike innocence hasn't vanished—it has only quieted down. Life gets loud; responsibilities pile on, so it waits quietly by the side, ready to join us in living whenever we're willing. As long as you can be touched by small things, moved by creativity, or suffocated by a lack of freedom, the child version of you lives on.

Therefore, "releasing childlike innocence" is not returning to the past nor regressing, but allowing the inner child to take center stage and present a more diverse self-integration, inviting all these versions to participate in current decisions.

Growing Up Is Not Just Grinding Through Levels—It's Continuous Practice

If life's a game, then "growth" is a process of continuous updates. We don't suddenly become "adults" one day; each day involves "coordinating, integrating, updating" different stages of ourselves.

So, refusing to grow up isn't a flaw; it's a reminder, urging us that "true growth is not becoming a particular form; more importantly, it's understanding that we're composed of many versions."

Growth Is Continuous Self-Update

Viewing life as a game, growth is more like "continuous version updates," as we fine-tune ourselves daily—learning new skills, accumulating experiences, and integrating habits and emotions from different stages.

The so-called "refusal to grow up" acts more as a notification, reminding us to pause and question if any version of ourselves is being ignored or if life is gearing up for a new mission.

True growth often involves realizing, "I have so many different versions from various times, and they're all still involved in my current life." Such self-awareness transforms us into more complete players.