This year I turned 21 years old, packed up all my stuff, and moved into my first apartment. I also started having these moments where the fact that I’m actually an adult, living on my own, and responsible for myself hits me and leaves me feeling a little…uncomfortable, yet satisfied? So, in lieu of my 21st year of life, here are 21 times I’ve experienced the “adulting” sensation:

1. When my apartment complex replaced my microwave with a brand new one and I couldn't wait to use it.

2. When a friend bought me an iron as a gift out of the kindness of their heart and it made my day.

3. When I got really happy when I realized that I still haven’t run out of the huge package of toilet paper my dad bought me when he moved me into my apartment…four months ago.

4. When I bought myself balcony furniture because I wanted to sit out there and drink tea and enjoy nature while I did my homework.

5. The first time I made and went to a doctor’s appointment all by myself.

6. The time I needed extra money but didn’t have to ask my parents because I had my own.

7. When I bought myself a crockpot and realized I could make almost an entire week’s worth of meals in one afternoon.

8. When I realized that if I didn’t do my laundry, it wasn’t going to get done.

9. When I go grocery shopping and then organize all the food in the fridge afterward.

10. Eating pretty much whatever I want, and not having to tell my parents (even though I still hear their “eat healthy” lectures running through my head).

11. When cleaning my apartment on the weekend is a ritual I actually look forward to.

12. Being able to take a spontaneous road trip without having to ask permission.

13. When I’m trying to make a decision about something and think to myself, “What would my parents do?”

14. When I try to make the decision on my own, but end up calling them to ask anyway.

15. When people refer to me as “ma’am.”

16. Having to remind myself to take my car for its oil changes and tire rotations.

17. When I get paid and my first thought is, “I’ll get to pay my bills off on time this month!”

18. When I figured out how to save money while still having all of my needs, and some of my wants, met.

19. When I realized that if I didn't set enough alarms to get myself out of bed in the morning, I wasn't getting up, because there's no one to yell up the stairs at me anymore.

20. When I open my mouth and my parents come out.

21. When someone tells me I seem to have everything together and asks me how I do it, and I honestly don’t know what they’re talking about.