Just like that, you realize you're at the end of the first quarter of your life... and you spent most of it in school! Still, 20 years of life is a big milestone! Here's a few realizations I've had since turning the big 2-0.
1. You’re getting old…
There's a moment of panic when you realize you've reached your 20's. When did you suddenly become a grandma??
2. But you’re still too young
You may be "old" now, but you still can't legally drink or gamble for another year... Not that I'm counting or anything.
3. Your age starts to hold leverage against your parents
"But Mom, I'm 20 years old!" sounds a lot more convincing than "But Mom, I'm 19 years old!"
4. Your body won’t stay the same forever
You start to realize that you won't have that teenage metabolism for much longer. Eating Taco Bell at 2 in the morning is probably not a wise choice any more (though you will still do it).
5. You understand that your childhood is truly over...
Never again can we watch Rugrats while drinking out of a sippy cup... without being judged, at least.
6. Which means you become nostalgic easily
The years of your youth suddenly seem like a magical, rosy time. At least we have Pokemon GO now to keep the nostalgia alive!
7. You realize you took your family for granted
More than likely you may never live with your complete family again. That realization alone is enough to make you miss your dad's embarrassing jokes.
8. If you don’t make an effort, you’ll lose contact with old friends
If you move away from home, it's especially hard to stay close with your high school friends. Unless you make a conscious effort, those friendships can fade.
9. You don’t have to be perfect…
At some point you will fail, and that's okay! If you never made mistakes you would never learn anything.
10. And your true friends will love you regardless
Because everyone fails! It doesn't make you any less lovable.
11. High School was not the “best time of your life”
Who in their right minds really ever thought high school was as good as it was gonna get?? Having to wake up every day at 6:00 was enough to convince me I could only go up from there.
12. The future comes fast
It's coming either way. The only thing you can control is whether you'll be ready for it or not.
13. In less than ten years you could have a family of your own
This is probably one of the scariest revelations you could have. Here's to hoping we'll have our lives together by then.
14. Groceries are expensive
It was a whole lot simpler when groceries just kind of appeared in your fridge. Grocery shopping is hard! You can feel like you buy enough for a month, and then two days later you're already out of stock.
15. You learn to let go of toxic relationships
You're in your 20's now, and you don't have any more time for unhealthy relationships that will hold you back.
16. You need to take chances
As scary as it can be, taking chances is one of the most necessary things in life. Once you hit 20, you realize that you're going to have to leave your comfort zone if you want to make something of yourself.
17. You become more comfortable with yourself
You've been in your body for 20 years now, which means you're no longer the self-conscious 13 year old you used to be.
18. Your next birthday is the last one to really be excited for
Every birthday means that you made it through another year on this planet, which is always something to be excited for! But other birthdays just can't hold a candle to your 21st.
19. The “youth” of today scares you
Four year olds have iPads now... and if that doesn't scare you, I don't know what does.
20. High school starts to seem like a lifetime ago
Just two years ago you were walking the halls of your high school, and yet it seems impossibly long ago. Cracking open your old yearbook is practically like reading an ancient history book.
