As my college graduation and this terrible thing known as "the real world" draw closer and closer, I keep having these worries about things like bills and plans and the future and the ever popular student loan repayments. I've been told to get ready for these things, to prepare for and think about the future, where I want to live, what kind of house I want to buy, when I want to get married, and to "hurry up and get the heck off my payroll" as my father affectionately phrases it, but I also get told to enjoy my senior year while it lasts, that I'll never get these days back, and to make every moment count and to savor every memory humanly possible because there is plenty of time to worry about bills and houses and marriage and living as a fully independent adult later on down the road, and that now is the time to be young and wild and free. Which brings us to my reality, being stuck in the middle.

I feel like I'm stuck in a throw back Britney song because I totally feel this whole I'm not a girl, not yet a woman phenomenon to my core.

I'm 22 years old. I work two jobs. I have a full course load. I am extremely active in my sorority. I write for the Odyssey. I pay my light, water, and internet bills, rent, and dues every month on my own. I have a budget. I buy actual groceries and cook actual meals, and none of those descriptors include Ramen. I take care of my people and my puppy. I am known as Memaw by most of my Fam. I keep my people out of trouble. I know how to adult. I've become quite proficient at it in the past several months.

But that doesn't mean I always do it.

I still get drunk on weeknights for no apparent reason. Sometimes I eat a whole tub of Ben and Jerry's just because I can. I tailgate way too hard. I sleep till noon whenever I can. I go way too long without doing laundry at times, even though there is a washer and dryer literally five feet from my bedroom. I stay up way too late when I have to get up way too early. I, occasionally, have no cares in the world except what wine bottle to open next. I put off things I know I need to get done just because I know I can put them off till the last minute and no one will stop me.

So, as you can see, I seem to be trapped in this weird semi-adult phase, and I know I'm not alone. Growing up is a different journey for everyone. Some have to do it very quickly. Others will never actually quite make it. But I think as long as you are where you want to be, that's what truly matters.

So here's to all of us young and young at heart people out there still trying to figure out how to do this thing called life. Know I'm right there figuring it out too, and holler if you need anything!