Throwback to the eve of your 18th birthday. You anxiously await legally becoming an adult and all of the wonders it brings. You count down hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second until 11:59 PM turns into 12:00 AM. Your whole life was leading up to this moment and...you're officially 18. Time to party like there's no tomorrow.
"How does it feel?", everyone asks. And you want to say that it's a mind-blowing, life-altering, "you suddenly get all of the answers to life"-type of experience.
You just say it feels great, just another year, but you don't realize the train wreck of problems life has to throw your way.
You see, turning 18 was supposed to be the turning point when you would finally be considered a peer among other adults, the more "adulty" adults. You weren't supposed to be considered as a kid anymore. However, being 18 keeps you in that gray area of adult and child. You'll always be a child to your parents. You'll always act like a child among your close friends and siblings. And hotels, car rental places, and a lot of clubs will always think that anyone under the age of 21-25 is still irresponsible and immature. To insurance companies, credit card companies, and other adults that are looking for someone to blame, you're the adult now, time to take responsibility. Then, you just stop and think, "What was even the point of turning 18?" Funny how society works, huh?
Also, can I just point out that 2016 was the absolute worst year to turn 18? Why? Because of the travesty we called an American Presidential Election. The millennials were pitted up against one another (especially since the candidates knew us fresh faces were one of the most important demographics to sway their way). We witnessed the candidates trying to Nae-Nae to our level when all we want is for them to realize that we can raise ourselves to theirs.
To be honest, it's not all bad. Clubs that are actually 18+ are pretty cool. And acting like the wise adult to those who are younger than you feels kind of nice.
But the scariest thing? Seeing the mistakes the human race is making and knowing that we're up next to attempt to fix it.
So I guess my advice is to enjoy the little things before the big things consume you. Eat your favorite foods. Sleep more. Laugh more. Be better. Be happy.
