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Happy, Free, Confused, And Lonely At The Same Time: Turning 22

It's miserable and magical, oh yeah

Casey Lofton

Jun 03, 2019

University of Virginia

305

Happy, Free, Confused, And Lonely At The Same Time: Turning 22

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgFeZr5ptV8

When Taylor Swift released the song "22" in 2012, I was 15. At that time, I didn't really understand exactly how accurate some of the lyrics of that song would come to be.

Fast forward seven years, and as of this week, I am feeling 22. And I am simultaneously happy, free, confused, and lonely.

Happy

It's my birthday, I just graduated from college, an I am living with my friends for another year in a city I love. I have a great family, and I am healthy.

Free

I am in charge of myself. I decide where I spend my time, how I spend my money, and who I choose to surround myself with. It's completely up to me to be a good person that I am happy with.

Confused

Oh crap, now I need a job. And probably to figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life. And I need to keep up with my friends who have moved after graduation. Also, is that one person mad at me or am I just overthinking it?

Lonely

Half of my friends have left after graduation and the other half have summer jobs. I'm happily single... until I watch a rom-com. Or see vacation pics. Or just think about it for too long.

That's a lot of emotions to feel at once. It's no wonder why I'm stressed.

Life is truly miserable and magical... but I think it holds true beyond the age of 22. We all have different joys and sorrows. Sure, the ratio differs from person to person, from day to day. But they're there.

Choose to face the sorrows, however that looks for you. Choose to celebrate the joys, however big or small.

Goals for 22: Focus on the magical more than the miserable and eat breakfast at midnight at least once.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Happy, Free, Confused, And Lonely At The Same Time: Turning 22

It's miserable and magical, oh yeah

Happy

Free

Confused

Lonely

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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