Turning 20 may not seem as big of a deal as turning 21, but it holds more importance than you think. It marks the starting point for the rest of your adult life. The decisions you make and experiences you have throughout your twenties will have a significant impact on you. Here are some reasons why it's such a defining age.
1. Sadly, you are no longer a teenager.
Say sayonara to your youthful, carefree years. You have officially lived for two entire decades. Before you know it, it will be time to get a real job, pursue a career, and little things that actually hold a lot of importance like paying bills and finding a potential spouse.
2. You have to suffer through one more year of not being able to drink alcoholic beverages... legally.
That's right. You are oh-so-close to reaching that age where you can enjoy an ice cold beer at the bar, but wait... an entire year is preventing you from doing just that. How exciting!
3. You need to consider whether or not your major is right for you.
At twenty, you're in the middle of your college career. Your major will determine what career path you will follow and that scares you. A lot. Now is the time to decide if you want to pursue it or change it, pursue it or change, pursue it or change it…. Good luck!
4. You also need to consider whether or not you want to go to Graduate School.
Do you want to go to school for another four or some odd years? Or are you okay with a Bachelor's Degree? At twenty, it's time to start considering these things because it could have an impact on your yearly salary for the rest of your life.
5. You are no longer at risk for teen pregnancy.
Teen Mom might be your favorite reality TV Show on MTV, but at least you were never featured on it.
6. Are your twenties going to be your selfish years?
Your twenties are the time to explore the world, find out what you believe in, fall in and out of love, and be crazy and free. Squeeze in everything you've ever wanted to do now because you might not ever have the freedom to do so later on.
7. You might technically be an adult age-wise but you still feel like a little kid.
When you are in your twenties, you will be held accountable for a lot things. Like being a successful working citizen and supporting yourself. However, sometimes you still feel like a carefree child trapped in an adult's body.
8. Will you try to enjoy the single life before you have to settle down and start a family?
There is a lot of pressure in your early twenties for you to try out different relationships and see who your soulmate could possibly be. But more importantly, it's a time to enjoy being alone and enjoying your independence.
9. You have never been so scared in your entire life.
Not like, horror movie scared, but trying new things and stepping outside of your comfort zone scared. This is the only time you can try out different careers and know you will be okay in the end no matter the end results. This is not a time to settle and simply be comfortable.
10. You fail at a lot of things.
You are going to experience so many failures on your path to success, and you are going to want to give up on everything that doesn’t come easily to you. Yet, you will learn how to fall forward and become wiser from your experiences. You'll be thankful for everything you have endured when you come across similar situations later on in your life.
11. There are so many things you want to do but you have no money to do any of it.
You want to travel the world, go to music festivals, buy an apartment, go to the grocery...but your sad excuse for an income is kind of preventing you from doing all of that.
12. Will these crappy jobs and internships get me to where I want to be or am I just wasting my time?
You are probably interning for a company to feel out a career choice and are stuck restocking paper clips and making coffee. On top of that you are probably working two other jobs to pay for rent and stay out of college debt. Is it all worth it? Yes, because it is motivating you to not settle for a crappy job when you are in your forties and fifties.
This is the beginning of your adult life. Are you going to live in fear or chase your dreams? Remember no matter what happens now, you can learn from it and apply it to a later experience. You will figure everything out -- it might just take a full decade to do it.
