My 18th birthday is just around the corner and I haven’t been this scared in my entire life. In the eyes of the law, I am supposed to be this responsible adult who should have their entire life mapped out. One day I’m living with my parents eating all day and watching Netflix, and the next I’m this independent 18-year-old who is supposed to go out and do “adult” things, like get a full-time job or pay taxes. Turning 18 is just weird and scary, but extremely exciting at the same time. I can be my own person and do “adult” things, but won’t be judged if I do something childish. Here are a few reasons why turning 18 is weird.
1. TAXES
Paying taxes can be terrifying since you’re technically not a child anymore. Although on the bright side if you’re planning on going to college your parents can still file you under their taxes.
2. VOTING
You can FINALLY vote! You finally have a say in what you want and your opinion. Thank goodness because the upcoming presidential election is coming up and I definitely know I’m voting.
3. TATTOOS
If you’re like me then you have been thinking or planning on a tattoo since you were little and saw your first tattoo. You “might regret it in a few years”, as told by my mom, but if it is of big significance in your life, get it.
4. PIERCINGS
My parents said the same thing about piercings and how I will regret it later, but maybe I like having dangling jewelry from my face.
5. WORKING
Congratulations! You can now work for hours on end without restrictions and get a full-time job where you work all day or all night.
6. APARTMENT
So you can leave the house you have known for your entire life and lease for an apartment. You may have a hard time getting someone to rent out your place since you have literally zero credit, but if you try hard enough you can succeed.
7. BILLS
Bills. You can’t avoid them because you have to pay for something. I know for me it's going to be my cellphone bill, but if you’re getting an apartment then that’s another bill, and don’t even get me started if everything is not included in that apartment.
8. LEAVING HOME
So you’re going to be leaving home and it is pretty much inevitable. Whether you leave for college or go live in an apartment you are never going to have the same bond with your parents and family like you did when you were there every day. Even if you do stay home, you’re not going to be there a whole lot.
9. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
So believe it or not, but people actually start families and get married right when they turn 18. That’s like basically fresh out the 12-year public school womb.
10. ADULTHOOD
So I saved the best for last because turning 18 doesn’t mean you’re an adult. It just means that in the eyes of the government you are solely responsible for yourself and capable of doing adult things. It’s ok to ask for help sometimes even if you don’t want it.
