Who knew that being an adult could be this much fun! Although sarcasm oozes from my tone and I sometimes long for those carefree days of my childhood, I am somewhat comforted by the growth that has occurred from childhood to womanhood. Many of the things I used to do as a young girl, I wouldn’t dare do as a woman; but of course that’s a part of growing up.

While each of us go through different growing pains and have different ‘ahh-ahh’ moments that declare our adulthood, I think we can agree that some of these things serve as our ‘girl you know you’re grown’ moments. From having a circle of married friends to learning to save before you spend, check out these sometimes overlooked signs that you’ve come oh so far in age and wisdom.

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You Cringe At New Music and Reminisce When You Hear Some Of The Music You Used To Love

There was a time when I could dance and sing along to any song while paying little attention to the lyrics. Now I can’t bear to hear certain songs, let alone sing along to them because the lyrics are too harsh and disrespectful.

While there are times when I am out socially and it doesn’t bother me,  more times than not I cringe when I hear some of the foul and overly-sexual music others are dropping it low to. So when a ’90s jam comes on, I get excited (and happy on the inside) because most music from the past I would consider my ‘jam’. I’ve decided that this taste in music is easily chalked up to me getting older and wiser.

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If you’ve seen BET in the last five years, you know the network plays “The Wood” every other day. While that fact alone might sway some of you to believe the movie is garbage, I’d suggest you take a second look. This nostalgic flick, while seemingly simplistic, is chalked full of golden nuggets we all could stand to learn or re-learn. Here are just a few examples of what I’m talking about…

Homey D. Clown, Men on Film, and the Fly Girls may be making their way back to your television screen. 20^th Century Fox TV recently announced “In Living Color” will return this spring after a 17-year hiatus, with Keenen Ivory Wayans reprising his role as host and executive producer. Wayans will produce two half-hour specials. If the ratings are good, Fox will have the option to order the show to series for next fall.

Fox isn’t the only media company reaching into its vaults hoping for ratings gold. In late July, children’s channel Nickelodeon devoted its late-night timeslots to the network’s 90’s programming and saw their ratings increase 500% among the coveted 18- to 34- year old demographic.

It seems everyone wants to time travel back just a few decades. Take a look at pop culture – Jennifer Lopez has endorsement deals.  Beavis and Butthead are back on MTV. Newt Gingrich was considered a promising presidential candidate. Didn’t we just go through all of this? Why are the 90’s coming back so soon?

Millennials, the demographic born between born between about 1981 and 1993, are partly to blame. As a new generation enters the workforce and generates income, anyone selling anything is trying to figure out how to attract this newly lucrative audience. Now that this generation has entered adulthood, what’s the first thing they want to do? Be a kid again, of course. Old-school programming on Nickelodeon, and now Fox, plays into this desire perfectly.

When you think about it, the 90’s were a better time for everyone. 2011 is nothing but recessions, bank bailouts, class warfare, and a struggling job market. The 1990’s were about easy credit approval, Kid ‘n Play and Bill Clinton playing the sax. It’s no wonder companies want to associate their brands with the warm and fuzzy feelings of the 90’s.

Businesses that use nostalgia as a source of inspiration for new opportunities flirt with the danger of coming off dated and uncreative. However, resurrecting fan favorites creates the opportunity to right old wrongs and take old brands to a new level. We all remember how “Color” fell off when Keenen left in the middle of the fourth season citing censorship issues with the network. The revival of the show, with a cast of fresh, young talent and musical performances may give it the second chance it deserves.

Playing to nostalgia is a smart strategy. It eliminates the need to sell the audience on the product. The trick is to keep them engaged. Nostalgia alone doesn’t ensure success. The same quality and character that made something a part of pop culture in the first place needs to be continued and elevated. We will see if Fox and Wayans are up to the task this spring.