If you’ve already turned 21, then you’ll know what I’m talking about. If you’re approaching the legal drinking age, you will soon find the power of no longer lingering in age purgatory. But beware: "With great power comes great responsibility.” And that responsibility might just be enough to scare you away from the oh-so-common phrase (which is usually accompanied by some type of adult-tantrum whine and stomp combo): “UGHHHHHH Why can’t I be 21 already??!"
Now I'll admit that there are some sweet points of never being able to call yourself a kid anymore. The common perks of being 21 include:
1. being able to legally consume alcohol
2. being able to legally buy alcohol
3. absolutely nothing else
The most common mistake every 20-year-old can make is allow the ability to legally make the same bad decisions you were already making cloud you from enjoying your final year of real freedom. I am here to give you some advice on the important truths about turning the big 2-1.
4. Half of you probably won’t even get ID’ed on your birthday anyway.
5. The reality of the situation is that after your 21st birthday, there's nothing to look forward to. That is, of course, unless you enjoy the impending future of a mid-life crisis and gray hair.
6. Each year forward, you will panic that you aren’t where you thought you’d be in life.
7. The excitement that came with getting drunk on the weekdays is no longer there.
8. You’ll probably gain weight from casually drinking alone.
9. The anxiety to memorize the address on your fake ID while in line for the bar is no longer an issue.
10. And you secretly miss how much of a bad.ass you felt like when it worked.
11. You can no longer get away with being a sloppy drunk in public.
12. And the house parties you attended to escape the bouncer who kicks you out for being too drunk are now turning to housewarming parties.
13. Pre-gaming drinks with your coworkers is frowned upon.
14. Now you’re wishing Four Loko or Natty Lite in the park was still everyone’s idea of a great night out.
15. Because you’re basically broke.
16. And you are expected to have a real job to pay for that $12 Jack & Coke.
17. The hangovers will only get worse.
18. It’s harder to have your shit together.
19. But on the bright side, you realize no one actually knows what they're doing.
20. And adults don’t always have the answer to everything.
