Self Soothing or Just Prolonging the Misery

Since when does growing up mean checking out of life? I feel like there are so many children running around in adult bodies anymore. I'm starting to wonder if it's a good thing that when we are adults we are allowed to legally self soothe. Sometimes I feel like people actually dealt with a lot more of their issues when they were younger and didn't have the choice to ignore them. We spend so much time soothing ourselves that we forget entirely that adulthood means actually growing up, taking responsibility for things, having no excuses, making the tough choices. Is there anyone that stares their problems in the face and sits down and solves things or figures out how to make things or be better anymore? Why are we so afraid of change and new chapters in life and of failing? Fear is crippling. And truth will set you free. Own it. Live it. I'll end my rant here.