Growing Up Too Quickly: How Art Helped Me Heal
Reading the recent Forbes article on the signs of growing up too quickly resonated with me in a way that only a well-timed meme about adulting could. Unlike many who may have been thrust into early responsibilities or complicated family dynamics, my experience was a bit different—and unique. As an only child with older parents, I was surrounded by wisdom, maturity, and a patience that comes with age. However, from a very young age, I learned how to navigate adult situations, like engaging in polite conversation with someone 30 years my senior.
Imagine being a kid who was more comfortable at dinner parties than on playgrounds, who knew how to make small talk with adults before even learning to tie their shoes. My parents gave me a great gift by teaching me how to conduct myself in various situations. I learned how to read a room, present myself confidently, and avoid spilling juice on the good tablecloth at fancy events. These are useful skills, no doubt, but they came at the cost of skipping over many of childhood’s carefree, messy, and imaginative parts. It’s like I missed out on the “training wheels” phase of life and went straight to riding a unicycle on a tightrope—great for balance, but not so much for playtime.
The article mentions three signs that you grew up too quickly:
- Becoming Overly Responsible: While I wasn’t exactly handed a briefcase and a mortgage at age 10, I did feel the weight of expectations from those around me. People assumed I was mature enough to handle adult conversations and responsibilities—probably because I looked the part. This led me to take on a more serious role than necessary for my age, which presented a whole new level of problems as I grew older. But that’s a story for another time.
- Having Trouble Trusting Others: Growing up in an environment where you’re expected to be mature can easily lead to trust issues. When everyone around you treats you like an adult, you start to believe that you can’t rely on others for help or support. For me, this manifested in a tendency to take on everything myself, trust only my judgment, and shy away from depending on others. It’s not that I didn’t want to trust—I just never really learned how.
- Struggling with Self-Compassion: Being treated like an adult from a young age also meant that I developed a harsh inner critic early on. I held myself to high standards because that’s what everyone else seemed to expect from me. If I made a mistake, I didn’t just shrug it off like most kids—I dissected it, replayed it in my mind, and made sure it never happened again. This lack of self-compassion made it difficult to accept my own imperfections, and it wasn’t until I found art that I started to let go of this need for
My Creative Refuge
Art became a place where I could finally act my age—or any age—because the paintbrush doesn’t judge. Through painting, I’ve been able to express emotions that were buried under layers of premature maturity. Each piece I create is like a conversation with my younger self, reminding me that it’s okay to have fun, make a mess, and, yes, even color outside the lines.
My work often focuses on themes of solitude and introspection, which, if you think about it, are just fancy ways of saying I spent a lot of time alone thinking about why I was the only kid at the party who knew what a 401(k) was. But jokes aside, these themes are a reflection of my journey.
 Growing up too fast meant that I often felt like the odd one out, the kid who wasn’t really a kid, and art has given me the space to process those feelings. Much of my work also explores identity and labels—the way others saw me versus how I saw myself. Being labeled as “mature” or “responsible” from a young age shaped my identity in ways I’m still unpacking. My painting Solace in Solitude is a testament to the importance of taking time to nurture oneself, even if that means reclaiming the parts of childhood you never fully experienced. Other paintings, such as Trust, The Labyrinth of Self, Her Name Is, and Her Natural Magic, delve into struggles with trust, control, and self-compassion.
Trust
The Labyrinth Of Self
Her Name Is
Art has also taught me to embrace imperfection—something I wish I’d learned earlier, but hey, better late than never. When I was younger, I felt constant pressure to live up to the expectations placed on me because of my appearance and perceived maturity. Now, I find freedom in the creative process, where mistakes are just happy accidents (thanks, Bob Ross!), and self-expression trumps perfection any day of the week.
So, for anyone who grew up too quickly or suffers from these three signs, I encourage you to find your creative outlet. Creativity can be a powerful healing tool, whether it’s painting, writing, or even binge-watching cartoons you missed out on (no judgment here!). It’s a way to finally give yourself the care and compassion you deserve and reconnect with your inner child. If you don’t know where to start, check out our free 6-week art meditation journey—Artful Reflections.
