When I was younger, stickers were my everything. If I ever got my hands on a sheet, every flat surface within a ten-foot radius was fair game. My notebooks, my water bottle, my walls, even my desk – each became a colorful patch of animals, stars, and planets. I did not think twice about peeling off a sticker and sticking it. My mindset was that stickers were made to stick.
Fast forward to now, and my relationship with stickers has drastically changed. Instead of sticking them everywhere, I hoard them like they are a prized possession. My collections span from everything from holographic to anime to k-pop. Everything is neatly stored in my storage containers or my sticker book. I keep telling myself I will find the “perfect” time to use them, but that time never comes.
At first glance, it might seem like a trivial change. But to me, it reflects something deeper. When I was a kid, I lived in the moment. I did not care if the sticker was crooked or I might regret the decision. All that matters was the joy of using them right at the moment. Now, I am more cautious and intentional with the placement. Each sticker represents possibility, and I hesitate to commit to one because I do not want to “waste” it on something unimportant.
This shift feels like I am growing up. As kids, I acted without fear of consequences, embracing imperfections and finding happiness in everything. As I got older, everything I did was measured. I planned, I evaluated, and sometimes, I overthought. In some ways, this maturity was a necessary change. It is how I learned to make decisions and take responsibility. But it also meant I lost some of my carefree spirit that made my childhood so special.
Sometimes, I miss the freedom of my sticker spree days. There’s something so amazing about acting on impulse, about choosing joy over worrying about the consequences. At the same time, I can’t deny the satisfaction of saving something for just the right moment. I am still trying to find a balance between being carefree and holding myself back and savoring the anticipation of it.
In a way, my sticker evolution mirrors me. I am a mix of impulsiveness and cautiousness, a blend of my younger and current self. And that is okay – because whether I am sticking them or saving them, stickers still bring joy into my life. That is what matters the most.
