It's strange to think that it's been a whole year since I turned 21. A whole 365 days, here and gone. This year has been trying for me--I left a job, bought a car, got into a serious relationship, watched a whole other year pass me by. Weddings, birthdays, lost friends, gained some friends. So here are some things they don't tell you about turning 21 and what comes after.
You will use your ID a handful of times.
Getting your first taste of legal freedom and going out to bars is cool for about a month. Getting carded is also cool for about a month. If you had a fake I.D. in the past, you probably aren't worried about getting discovered as underage anymore. If you're like me and never had a fake I.D, you're probably wondering what all the hype is about.
Drinking gets old. And expensive.
You'll learn rather quickly that spending your night sitting on an uncomfortable bar stool and watching your money fly out of your wallet, isn't the most practical way to spend a Saturday night. Drinks are expensive, I've literally witnessed people run up 200 dollar bar tabs in a matter of an hour or two. Think of all the better things you could be doing with that money.
Hangovers are also impractical.
Going to work hungover isn't cool, it's trashy. And you may not think your boss knows, but trust me, your boss knows. Just don't do it. Who wants to work with a grouchy person who probably still smells like stale alcohol? Definitely not me. And calling out of work is unprofessional. Nobody likes a sloppy 21 year old.
Nobody takes you seriously.
Seriously, all everyone thinks you do is go out and party every night. Because, well, you can. So you lose some of your credibility as a hard worker. I can't tell you how many nights I spent at home in pajamas only to go into work the next day and get asked what bar I went to. I partied with my penguin pajamas at Club Bed last night, what did you do?
It's time to grow up.
If you didn't do it before, you'll do it now. 21 isn't all about partying--especially if you want a career. You spend this time pounding pavement and getting your name out there so maybe, just maybe, you'll feel like you accomplished something by 22.
Focus on yourself.
Make yourself a better person in general. As you get older, friends are so much harder to come by and you'll want to have some people supporting you and backing you up as you continue the journey through your 20's.
You will find out who your friends are.
You'll start to put your friends in categories, even if you don't realize you're doing it. Drinking friends, couple friends, married friends, parent friends, etc. and you'll respond to all of your friends differently. Some of the friends you thought were your best friends turn into friends you text when you feel like drinking or going out. Some friends you'll only hang out with if you both bring your significant others. Your friends will start getting engaged or married and those friends get their own groups too.
You start thinking about the future.
Maybe a spouse and kids aren't your cup of tea. But as you watch your friends fall in love and make big life changes, you'll think about where you are in your own life too. Maybe you're more career oriented and that's great too. Regardless, it will become a nagging thought in your head--"What's next?"
Learn to manage your time.
Learn to manage your time now before life gets too hectic. Pretty soon, you'll have more bills to pay and way more responsibility for things so you should probably get used to planning now.
And lastly,
Have fun.
Life is too short to sit on the couch all day and watch Netflix. But life is also too short to spend your weekends sitting on a bar stool in some bar somewhere. Travel, take up a hobby, etc. Focus on treating yourself. You'll be so glad you did.