Dying Young as Late as Possible

Some people tell me that I am trying to be older than I am...I like to wear trousers and shirts, I listen to Jazz, I take care of my body and diet as if a single coca-cola is going to give me arthritis, and I read philosophy. They tell me that I shouldn't be trying to "be" old, since at the end of the day, I'm only 21, and soon I won't be able to enjoy eating crappy food, all-nighters, the free time to do random things, and being able to dress like a clown and still be respected by people working with me.

I think about what they say for a moment, and I get quite convinced -and worried. Am I wasting my youth trying to be old? and why the hell am I even doing that?! Won't I be desperately trying to be 21 once I am 40?

Does that mean that I wasted the only time in my life when I could be 19, 20, or 21?! I shiver, I feel uncomfortable in my chest, and start to feel like I'm getting warm and I wonder whether I am feeling sweat on my forehead or if that is just my imagination messing with me.

However, I hear people complain about how young adulthood nowadays is just extended childhood, how people my age are less responsible, weaker, entitled, and protected.

It seems like we, young adults, expect that companies will rush to us and employ us just because we exist, that people around us should treat us with respect (respect is different from general decency which is perhaps to be expected), and that we can afford to be foolish with no consequences.

"Grow up," they say "quit acting like a child! Be responsible."

It seems to me that there is a correlation between how much I think about death and how responsible I am. The more I think about it, the better care I take care of my health, the harder I work on my career, and the more fun I have when I play. When people say "work hard, play hard" I take that seriously, I am going to die soon (or be physically incapable) and I choose to live while I am here.

I have seen a video of Warren Buffett giving a lecture to college students a while back, I don't completely recall the details, but the lesson stayed with me ever since I've seen the video and it goes something like this:

If your father gives you a car and says that this is the only car that you can ever own in your life, you can't upgrade it or buy another one, how would you treat it?

With complete respect and care since it has to last me a lifetime.

This car is like your body, you get one and it has to last you a lifetime so you should take care of it.

Although Warren Buffett is not known for being the healthiest person in the world (I think that he's known for eating a lot of junk food, especially hamburgers), he made a point that was eye-opening for me when I watched it as a kid. It was a great early warning.  

I don't know whether I am over-doing it or not, I treat my work with utmost seriousness and respect, and I play like an absolute fool or an unleashed dog on his first run after a long snowy winter (although I don't play as often as I would like).

I think that time will show me the answer, and perhaps the wisdom of friends, family, and books.