At what point in my life did a wire fence become a barrier rather than an obstacle to overcome?

At what point in my life did I trade the efficiency and excitement of running everywhere for the less conspicuous act of walking?

I realized lately that at some point I started to abandon my childhood sense of freedom for the adult security of social acceptance. My behavior feels constantly inhibited and monitored by a certain set of values that I had no part in creating. It's a creeping, gradual sort of process that scares me.

I feel like I am in a struggle to maintain my sense of self. It's a struggle with myself to stop trying to be what others expect me to be.

In short, I need to stop caring about what other people think of me. Easier said than done.

This is what I think about while going to sleep >< Yay for dramatic introspection.