Looking Young, Living Older: My Journey in a Small Frame: #265

Sometimes, age is just a number until someone reminds you of it, and you're surprised to realise that you're not getting any younger, but older. Anytime I realise my age once again, I know there should be a form of maturity in me so I don't give people the "I am still a young girl" vibe.

I have a small stature, and my eyes don’t give away that I am not the young girl they presumed me to be. Like, most people get to scream and say, "You don't look your age at all. I really like your stature."

Some would even wish they had my kind of body and for me, I would blush and of course, be proud of my make. This is why I go about sharp, and wouldn't even make people notice, especially because I love to be around little kids.

For me, I feel younger even though, mentally, I know I am getting older because my age will try to tell me, "You are getting old girl. Don't let your body deceive you." But honestly, I feel good with it. No wonder I used to be treated like a teenager until someone closer to me would tell them I am more than how they see me.

I remembered when I was still doing my Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) program some years back. I was in my finals then, and my short stature could easily make me sneak through someone's skirt, and before they'd know, I had escaped far. Lol.

On this day, I went with my friend to meet a lecturer with whom she had issues, and while she was in his office, I stood outside waiting for her. A lecturer who was also of short stature walked past me and then stopped to look at me.

He was smiling when he saw how short I was and he asked what level I was. I said, "300 level," which was the last year for me then. He couldn't believe his eyes. I can't remember if he asked about my age but I remember how surprised he was and the kind of you-are-joking vibe.

I was just there smiling while other students present were also laughing at the scene, but I waved it off and ensured it didn't change my mood. Instead, it made me confident in myself. It was funny back then.

Another time was when someone didn't know I was older but mistook me to be a younger age. I can't remember what happened, but when he realised, he was just begging me not to be offended. I told him not to worry because he didn't know. At least I had my respect back then, even though someone had to defend me.

Most times, some will whisper, "Wow. No one will know this aunty is this age and she looks so small. Very young for her age." I do hear it sometimes when I pass by them and I would just smile, appreciating myself. It used to be like a big thrill for me whenever such a thing happened.

But this doesn't make me see myself younger mentally because yes, I might look younger than my age, but I feel older emotionally because of my experiences. Though, it didn't remove the fact that I act childish sometimes when I just want to feel loved among my people. You know how ladies act, right? We just want to feel loved even if it takes us acting like a child sometimes.

There are times I have experienced how people wouldn't want to involve me in some discussions because they'd assume I am too young to contribute, but it used to surprise them how I would give my opinions and they'd quickly snap out of their assumptions of whatever they had before.

So, anytime there is something to deliberate upon, they would say, "Let's ask Aunty Busayo," because they'd believe even though I look younger than my age, it doesn’t limit the experiences I have had and could possibly know the solution, and I do feel appreciated about that.

With this, it makes me look more gentle, coupled with my introverted and calm nature. I live simply, and I think before I speak, and so, with this, people assume I am more mature even though I look younger.

So, I believe it's a gift from God and I wouldn't want to see myself as less and allow anyone to take advantage of that. I feel younger and want that to continue. 😀

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_{Image is mine}