In the world that we live in today, everyone glorifies the twentysomethings. However, there is one age in particular that is very different from the rest. The real start of your twenties begins when you turn 23. When you’re 20, you spend most of that time in college underage drinking and going downtown with a fake ID to a sketchy club that smells like hot dog water. “Damn, I can’t wait to be 21”, yeah we all said this until we realized a lot of those same drinks we’ve been drinking since 19 are no longer free and Four Loko is just not a viable option anymore. When you turn 22, it is more of a disappointment than anything, like what are you even supposed to do? Look at pictures of yourself from your 21st birthday and your Summer 2011 album on Facebook, and if you’re lucky you have graduated college all while stuck at a job you’re overqualified for (Starbucks). Then we have the beautiful, confusing, still on my parent’s healthcare for a few years, the age of 23. Unlike the previous ages, you start to realize a lot when you turn 23.
1. Mental Level Has Changed
Hanging out with people under 21 really just isn’t an option for you anymore. I came to this realization when I found myself in an apartment surrounded by 18 and 19-year-old girls who were talking about which guy they just slept with and the fact that, “Amanda is, like, such a bitch, like, I just don’t like her, I can’t even!” I suddenly found myself looking at the ceiling trying to retrace my steps to how I got to this particular point in my life. The fact of the matter is that you just can’t really relate your adulting to their 18-year-old mindset anymore, and that’s a good thing. You are growing up. Moreover, keep your company within the same mental level you’re at unless you will constantly have to deal with conversation that does not stimulate your mind, but rather gives you a brain tumor. In addition to the same mental level, you should keep company that is in the same part of life you’re at; then you can avoid this response after suggesting going to the bar for drinks, “Did you forget I’m not 21, can we drink at the house?” How about no, there’s a Smirnoff Ice in the fridge, go get white girl wasted.
2. Dating
Dating when you’re 23 is insanely different from dating in high school or your late teens. Back then you dated because the person was attractive, had “swag” and it was nice to cuddle and wake up to a good morning text. When you turn 23, it can be a bit tricky because you’re at an age where you are trying to figure out who you are, you’re too young for marriage, too young for kids, broke, but at the same time, you feel as though you should have found that special somebody by now. Instead of that special someone, you may experience being in the friend zone, watching Pornhub like daytime television, and praying to the Tinder gods—until you actually go on a Tinder date and get Catfished, and the cheerleader in the profile picture turns out to be a girl that looks like Lindsey Lohan 4 years after Mean Girls.
Bye Felicia. Furthermore, dating at 23 is beyond awkward and difficult; now before we give ourselves the title of being a “Hopeless Romantic”, we have to realize that we are at the perfect age to be alone and enjoy life instead of rushing into a relationship you know won’t even last six months. Do yourself a favor, get a puppy.
3. You’re not supposed to have your life together
You’re 23 and really starting to feel the pressure of the world. After reading about an innumerable amount of success stories and self- help books, you come to realize that you’re not supposed to have everything together at this age, the next age, or the one after that. You’re a work in progress and it’s going to take some time to reach your goals and find the most important things in life. Whenever you feel worthless or that you are not adulting well enough, remember that everyone you look up too has made it through being 23. Enjoy your life the best way that you know how, don’t second guess yourself, and don’t settle for less than what you deserve. It will all work out in the end.
It’s funny how in high school we said “I can’t wait to be older”, and now that has quickly turned into “Damn, I’m about to be 24 already? I just turned 23 a couple days ago… or so it feels.” You began to realize that time waits for nobody and that you just have to enjoy it. So mess up, get confused, feel lost, download Tinder, and binge watch Netflix. You’re just simply being 23.
