I am 22 years old, and I have been living independently from my parents for almost two years. So in the eyes of the world I am an adult. Yet, I still watch movies about mysterious vampires and read YA fiction just like I did when I was 16. I shop at Forever 21 partially because my wallet can’t handle any store that doesn’t have “21” in its name (look for me in Rue 21, if you need me) but mostly because I like the style of clothes in those stores. The style most adults would call — teenage.
I remember when I turned 20 the saddest thing for me was that I couldn’t vote in Teen Choice Awards anymore. The world was telling me that not having that “teen” suffix in my age meant I had to grow up. And I did. I was doing all the things a grown-up is supposed to do, yet I kept identifying myself as a teenager. Then last week I realized that I grew up. How did it happen? Three words — Video Music Awards.
It was August 28, 2016. I was scrolling down my Facebook newsfeed when I saw a bunch of posts from some sort of red carpet. Only couple hours later when I actually bothered to read the headline of one of those articles, I realized I missed VMA — main music event of my teenage years. I missed it and… I didn’t care.
That feeling puzzled me, so I asked my friends how they realized that they… grew up. Spoiler alert they didn’t care much about VMA.
“I realized I was no longer a teenager when I first set foot in an airport by myself. It sounds kind of silly because I was twenty-two, and I had been on a plane before. This time was different, though - I was completely, 100% on my own.” Joshua, 24
“I knew that I grew up when had to go get a job to help support my family.” Chris, 22
“It happened when I first got my license and drove somewhere on my own. I got my license later than most people do.” Ian, 24
“Probably the moment I turned 21. I could drink at a bar and that felt super bizarre to me. I felt so grown up.” Maria, 23
“When I started college I felt like being a teenager was over, now it's time to start being an adult. So I guess it wasn’t as much of a realization for me, just a decision I made.” Zarek, 24
“It happened when I started working and had to deal with
bank accounts.” Noor, 23
“I realized I wasn't a teenager after I had responsibilities I needed to take care of in my life. When I started talking about jobs, relationships and my future, I found that my teenage life was passed.” Maricris, 20
“When I looked at a girl sleeping in my bed one night.” Abdul, 23
“I remember spending some time with people a few years younger than me after I'd entered my 20's. Man, I realized how much difference a few years create. 'Was I really like this?' I asked myself. Now, it's hard not to think of teenagers as "just kids," even though I'm only a few years older than them.”Daniel, 21
