Take a second and remember the time you went through puberty. If you are smiling when remembering this time, then give yourself a pat on the back because you are in the .0001 percent of the human race. I don’t need to remind the rest of you how awful puberty was. On top of the all the physical changes you had to endure (i.e. growing in width before in height or having the body of a string bean, watching your cute nose turn into a giant block in the middle of your face, having a friend give you a pep talk explaining that it is time for you to start wearing a bra full-time, etc.), you had to learn how to communicate with the opposite sex and learn how to apply makeup. Ah, the golden days when girls with blushed cheeks and full-circle eyeliner would talk to a boy. Don’t you just miss it? No, you don’t because you’re human. And to the person who never needed braces, never blushed in the presence of the opposite sex and whose limbs grew proportionally… good for you, if you even exist.
The mention of puberty evokes the same response from almost all people. Adolescence is pretty much universally accepted as the most awkward period of a person’s time on this earth. However, there is a giant misconception that once you grow into your body, you are done with awkwardness for the rest of your life. That is WRONG.
I believe that the early 20s rival adolescence for the most confusing and trying time in a person’s life. No, you no longer look like the worst version of yourself or have braces with the added flair of rubber bands. Instead, as an early 20-something, you are having to finally answer the dreaded question, “what are you doing with your life?” Answer me this: is there anything more awkward than not knowing the answer to that question when society expects you to have it figured out? I believe that there are many reasons why a person’s early 20s can be considered their second most awkward stage of life.
#1 You are an adult but have no money: Congrats! You are officially in your twenties. Take a second to remember how old 20 seemed when you were young. Now take a look at your bank account and realize that a true adult has more than $15 in their checking account. Your 20s are an awkward time because, while you feel old, you are still a student who gets your jollies from returning bottles at the grocery store. Even if the end of your schooling is near, your first grown-up paycheck feels like a million light years away. Instead of dwelling on your current financial status and dreaming of a better tomorrow, look on the bright side and remember that you currently live in a college town that offers $2 doubles and $5 burgers. THAT DOESN’T HAPPEN IN THE REAL WORLD! Thank you, universe, for drink specials and cheap food, or else bank statements all around town would be doused in tears and regret.
#2 Relationship pressure: Remember in high school when you’d see a new couple holding hands in the hallway? The last thought on anyone’s minds was ‘hmmm, I wonder if those two are in it for the long haul?’ As a 20-something, relationships are always being analyzed and questioned all around you. Gone are the days when you can mention that you are in a relationship and no one thinks anything of it. Now, you must answer questions like, “can you see a future with this person?” or, “when are you going to bring him around to meet the family!” Sometimes, you don’t even know the answer to these questions, which makes for very uncomfortable moments at family get-togethers.
#3 Being an adult while still living at home: If you go away to college, you are able to dictate every second of your day while at school. Because you are living on your own (figuratively, as most college students have roommates) you can stay out as late as you want, sleep through certain classes, and do pretty much whatever you want whenever you want to. However, once you fill in that last Scantron bubble on that final exam in May, you are headed back home to live with the 'rents. Despite being in your 20s, you are still under your parents’ roof and must live by their rules. Suddenly, you are forced to attend events with your family, return to going to church weekly, and have to ensure that there is at least a walking path in your messy bedroom. If you take summer courses, the hardest part of living at home is explaining to your parents that skipping an occasional class isn’t that big a deal. I cannot count the times I shouted to my parents, “But it’s just a lecture!!!”
#4 People your age are at all different stages in life: People in their early 20s are all progressing at different rates. Some people choose to get married at 21, while others decide to start raising a family at 20. In contrast, some people, like myself, are still in college and eat Taco Bell eight times a week (they serve breakfast now, ya know). It's confusing seeing one of your high school peers cradle a baby while you have to ask your parents to gift you with a few dollars for a Big Gulp.
#5 Uncertainty of the future: Whether you are nearing the end of college or have already graduated, the future seems more frightening than ever. Instead of daydreaming about the future, the future is now! Yet another question is posed to you: “So what’s your plan?” While knowing the gravity of the question, you are still trying to figure out who you are, let alone what your five-year plan is.
Like the days of puberty, these awkward early 20s shall pass. However, unlike puberty, most people look back fondly on their early 20s. This is the time in our lives when we will land our first jobs, fall in love, fall out of love, meet new people, move to new places, and, most importantly, learn more about ourselves than ever before.
