Our first major birthday is when we turn one. Our parents managed to keep us alive for 365 days. It doesn’t get that exciting again until we turn 10, AKA Double Digits. We finally feel like big kids. Then there is 13 - which is the beginning of the teenage years. 15 - when we start the lessons of driving. 16 - we get our license, and finally 18 - when we are officially adults and are released into the world of college. The next major birthday is 21 - when we are legally allowed the drink.
What about 19?
In just short of 20 days, I will be entering the abyss of 19: still a teenager, kind of an adult, ready to be 21, yet not wanting to grow up quite so fast. It’s the awkward year between the ending of your childhood and the beginning of you roaring 20's. 19 is always looked over, never really celebrated, and often rushed. But what if we made some lemonade with these lemons? Try to follow along:
Our 19th year means that first of all, we made it 19 freaking years- go us! More importantly, it is the last year of our teens. After this, we are full blown adults on the hunt for careers, mates, and the meaning of life. Why do so many people wish away this year? Why is it never celebrated as another huge life milestone? Why are we not taking advantage of the last glorious year of being a teenager, let alone the last year of our childhood?
We should be taking this year slow and steady, sitting back enjoying the last moments of our teenage life! Watching sunsets, going on adventures, making lifelong friends, not having a care in the world, and just purely enjoying every moment.
Rules for being 19:
1. We are only allowed 5 minutes a day complaining or being dramatic
2. Let’s take care of our body- it is going to go downhill from here on out
3. Stop fretting about that boy, he is so not worth it!
4. Go out, party, get wild! Soon we will be working 9 to 5, so live it up now
5. Take the days one moment at a time. Enjoy the small things and be grateful for everything in between.
Most importantly, reflect on the past 19 years and realize how much we have grown, changed, and learned. We have been through really tough times and really great times, yet we made it 19 years. I think that’s crazy.
And there is no reason we cannot make it another 19 years (piece of cake if you ask me)