21 is one of the most monumental birthdays in America, without a doubt. You have already been awarded the privilege of driving, buying lottery tickets and being out past curfew. Now, you are ready to enter the world you have been dreaming about since your last milestone birthday.
Gone are the days of stocking up on alcohol when you get the chance because you could not buy it yourself. Gone are the days of parting ways with your friends as they head to the bars and you head to the fraternity houses. Memorizing everything about Susan Perry from Virginia and praying that the bouncer won't embarrass you? Yep. Those days are gone too. RIP to your fake ID.
This is the birthday you've been waiting for, but surprisingly it comes with mixed emotions. So here's a list of thoughts you're bound to have when you have just turned 21.
1. Am I actually 21?
You ask yourself this when you hand your ID to bouncers, cashiers and servers. It is a new feeling, and you'll find your rookie self checking your own ID to make sure you're actually 21. The last few years have been spent trying not to get caught, so naturally you still get pretty nervous when they look at your ID, even though it says you can legally do these things.
2. I have no idea what I am doing.
What do you order? How do you order? Approaching a busy bar is intimidating when you are still learning to crawl in this new world. How is everyone ordering drinks when I can't even get the bartender's attention? When it's finally your turn, everyone knows you are a rookie because you know a total of 3 drinks you can order at a bar.
3. Yes.
You find yourself saying "yes" to every offer that involves alcohol, just because you can. Can you make an alcohol run? Yes. Do you want to get $1.99 margs? Yes. Do you want to go to happy hour? Yes. Do you want to get dinner? If they have alcohol, yes. You have to break in that ID somehow.
4. I never thought the gym would be priority.
Everyone knows that alcohol packs on the calories but when it becomes more convenient to have, you can feel the impact it has on your body. Without stepping on a scale you know that you need your eight glasses of water and an elliptical, stat.
5. I need a second job...and a third.
It's no secret that alcohol is expensive. Those "just because" six packs at Acme, ordering a drink with dinner and that "last" drink at the bar that turns into 3 more really takes a toll on your wallet.
6. I will never be excited for a birthday again
At 16 you can work and drive, at 18 you can smoke and play the lotto, at 21 you can drink.... after that, what can you do? Getting a rental car at 25 isn't exactly something you wait up until midnight for. Soak up every second of 21--it's the last one you'll look forward to.
7. Whoever said drinking is boring once you turn 21 is wrong.
Drinking is still fun, if not more fun once you turn 21. You can't get in trouble for holding, buying or drinking alcohol, and you can have as much as you want when you want. Sorry to all you Negative Nellies, but 21 is just as fun as you make it.
Get out there and celebrate 21, even if you don't know what you're doing. Soon enough you'll be 23 and living vicariously through the rookies you once were.
