Many say your first year a part of the twenties club is, well...sort of lame, but I disagree. No, you aren't legally allowed to drink yet (only one more year, baby and then it'll be happy hour for life), but 20 is indeed a landmark age. You can no longer allow your mistakes to be blamed simply on the fact that you're a teenager. UGH! Now, THAT is scary. Leaving teenager-dom a few short days ago has made me feel a little over the hill. I am a whole two decades old and just entered my third. I'm just as close to being thirty as I am to being ten. Talk about frightening...
Your teens shape you into who you are as a person. Being a teenager is probably one of the longest and most emotional roller-coaster rides of anyone's life, and then BAM! All of a sudden those years are gone. Treasure those years. Cherish them, learn from them, take away from them. All of the good and the bad because all of that made you, you, but be happy you're leaving it behind. You finally get a chance to kiss that ugly blue eye shadow, braces, and countless hours of unnecessary drama goodbye.
As you enter your twenties, you're entering your "selfish" years. Not selfish in the sense of caring about yourself and only about yourself, but selfish in the sense that you have to start making decisions based upon what's best for you, your life and your future career. You say goodbye to planning things around when your friends are going to be off of work or when drinks will be cheapest (a harsh reality, yes I know). Summer vacations turn into summer internships. Your first thought in the morning goes from being the once innocent, "I wonder what I should wear today?" to "how in the world will I ever get everything accomplished that I need to today?" So, I guess what I'm saying, is that you're forced to grow up a little more in your twenties. You're setting the stage for all of your future endeavors.
In these next ten years, you will most likely launch your career, fall in love, get married, travel, have children, buy your first house and many other new and exciting things. This next chapter is the most exciting and intimidating one yet. All of that can be undoubtedly overwhelming, but I'm here to remind you that making mistakes is still okay. You are still human. However, you have to grow up a little. Have fun. Embrace life, but don't be reckless. The decisions you've made and are making now will affect you in the months and years to come.
But all of that aside, these are the best years of your life. This is your prime; celebrate it. Before you know it you'll be changing the diapers of your second child. Your twenties are some of the most thrilling years of your life. Travel.
All in all, your these years are what you make of them. Have those wild nights out with your friends, and spend hours in the library on others. Balance is key. Enjoy these years on a college campus surrounded by your peers who are all trying to do the same thing you are; figure themselves out. Don't stress the small stuff. Work hard, love yourself, love your life, and appreciate your surroundings.
Be adventurous, explore the minds of others and take chances. Sometimes you're going to fail; keep moving. Don't be discouraged by failure. It only means you're one step closer to success. The world is literally at your fingertips. Do everything you possibly can, drive to random places just because.
Immerse yourself in everything life has to offer. Go after everything you want. Chase your dreams.
