Most people think that being 18 officially makes you an adult, and legally, it does. You can now vote, buy cigarettes, serve on a jury, get tatted up and pierced without parental permission, and you are most likely off getting some sort of college education. But as for your social life in college, being an adult doesn’t truly begin until the beautiful age of 21.
Being 21 is great for countless reasons, but when you’re the youngest one in your friend group and everyone is 21 except for you, there are some true struggles that you can relate to.
1. Not being able to go out to bars/clubs.
Hands down, one of the worst parts about being the youngest in your friend group is not being able to go out to the bars with your friends after a long week of writing papers and studying. Sure, you can watch their Snapchat stories and make it seem like you’re there, but that just seems to lead to…
2. FOMO, or the Fear of Missing Out.
If you’ve never experienced FOMO, then bless your heart. The fear of missing out on new inside jokes or moments that you “just had to be there to understand" is the absolute worst.
3. Having to say, “Just water, thanks,” when you’re at a restaurant and your friends order drinks.
Don’t you just love when your friends are ordering fun, colorful mixed drinks and craft beers at your favorite restaurants while you’re stuck ordering water and soda? Me, too.
4. The remnants of black X's staining your hands for days after a party.
No matter how hard you scrub or how much soap and water you use, those pesky marks will stay on your hands for days after a party. Life hack: Try using nail polish remover or hand sanitizer when you get home. The alcohol in them helps lift the Sharpie out of your skin.
5. Always being the go-to designated driver when your friends need a ride.
As much as I love my friends, getting drunk calls at 3 or 4 a.m. to come pick them up from a bar or random street corner isn’t too exciting. Especially when it happens every weekend.
So my fellow under 21-ers, stay strong. We can do this. We will persevere. Our time will soon come.
