When I was in middle school I remember thinking to myself that I couldn't wait to be 20. I thought that I would have a career, a stable relationship, and tons of money. Well, all these years later and I have none of these -- but that's OK. Twelve-year-old Sierra obviously wasn't too educated on the idea that when you're 20, you're still in college. She wasn't quite aware that this is just the beginning.
The greatest thing about being 20 is the uncertainty -- yes, you heard that right. Being 20 is all about making mistakes and learning from them. It's about taking chances and taking charge. Speaking for myself, being an independent 20-year-old is the most liberating feeling. I've always been independent but living on my own in a different city is a crazy feeling. Two years I had to raise my hand and ask to go to the bathroom, and now I'm paying my own bills and making financial decisions for myself every day. I have responsibilities and although they can be stressful, it's a great feeling.
If I could go back and give my 12-year-old self a piece of advice, it would be to not think you're done growing at 20. It's so important to always want more for yourself. Growing up, I was a very complacent and shy person. I always thought that whatever I had or did was good enough. I never realized my full potential. I would tell myself that you're way more than you think you are.
Sometimes, you'll think at 20 you can take on the world and other times it feels like you're never going to make it through the week. I have days where I'll call my parents because I'm not sure what decision to make. Other days, I feel as though I am completely in control of my life.
It's the time in your life when you border the lines between adult and child -- never really sure where you fall in that line. Being 20 is the beginning of adulthood, the beginning of being young and reckless yet being responsible and career orientated. It's a very weird time, but with the right directions it's possible to go anywhere.
