Just keep calm.
I felt like all of my friends were eager to turn 18 and to finally, in the eyes of the law, become an adult. Meanwhile, I was scared out of my mind. I had the impression that 18 signified the end of my childhood. In reality, turning 18 was the complete opposite of my constant fears. Becoming 18 signifies a new chapter in your life, and comes with a great deal of responsibilities and opportunities that the world has to offer. Since my 18th birthday, I have reached the conclusion that there are indeed reasons to be excited, not to just dwell on getting another year older.
1. You can finally participate and vote!
Turning 18 means that you can now participate in elections and vote. This is an important milestone in not only your life but for the United States as well. You get the opportunity to express your opinion on which candidates you think are best suited to become leaders of America.
2. You can get a tattoo!
I remember I was so excited about getting a tattoo once I turned 18. For the longest time, I planned on getting an elephant. A month after I turned 18, I deduced that I would get my very first tattoo. Recently, my grandma passed away and I decided to dedicate my first tattoo to her. I am a strong believer that tattoos hold great significance. To some, getting a tattoo is their way of initiating themselves into adulthood.
3. You can play the lottery!
Now you can purchase those addicting dollar scratch tickets or play the Powerball for the grand jackpot. While I am scratching lottery tickets, I feel like I am at the edge of my seat waiting to see if I won a dollar or something. Just a tip: Stop while you are ahead. Sometimes just pocketing the dollar is much better than gambling it away to find out you are not a dollar richer (I have been there, done that). However, if you keep scratching away, "May the odds be ever in your favor."
4. You can qualify for a credit card!
Finally, you can qualify and get approved for a credit card. While this seems like the best thing ever for your shopping addiction, it is quite dangerous. Credit cards are super important for emergency usage or occasionally using it to help build credit for your future. I plan on applying for one really soon, which is something to be excited about. Building credit will help with future purchases such as a house or a car.
5. You can sign a lease to an apartment or house!
While this does not entirely apply to me quite yet, it is such a bittersweet moment to be able to sign a lease to your own place. I am sure it is very overwhelming but rewarding at the same time. My mom had me when she was 16 and she has told me in the past before that she was so excited to turn 18 and be able to sign a lease to an apartment for me, my grandma, and herself. In a way, I am signing a contract for the dorm I plan on staying at during my freshman year of college. It is most definitely a new process but a very rewarding one at that!
6. You can legally sign your own papers!
I recently experienced legally signing my own papers when I had to go to the ER when I had a bad cold. When you turn 18, you can legally sign documents without having a parental signature. It was a rather strange feeling but it just goes to show that you are becoming an adult and you are responsible for yourself.
7. You can apply for a loan!
You can legally sign for a loan whether it is for college or other expenses that you may need to take care of (i.e. down payment on a car or a house). Loans are extremely important when you need to borrow money in order to make a large purchase that will benefit you in your future endeavors.
8. You can get into a club!
If the club atmosphere is your scene, you can now enter the club legally once you turn 18. You could meet new people, get accustomed to a unique environment, dance the night away, and so much more. It may be something that you might look forward to when you are an adult.
9. You can donate blood without approval from your parents!
I donated blood the first time in my junior year of high school. Since I was not 18 at the time, I had to get approval from my parents to be eligible to donate my blood. Once you turn 18, you get to sign those papers (a lot of signatures once you turn 18). You can donate blood whenever you want to, which is pretty awesome considering you are helping save lives of people who need blood.
10. You can rent a hotel room!
You are able to rent a hotel room in your name. If you want to go to the beach for the night with your friends, you can! You could take your own vacations now and be responsible for the planning involved (i.e. expenses, renting a hotel room, etc.) This is just one more advantage to turning 18!
If you are about to celebrate your 18th birthday or have already turned 18, just know that you are not alone if you are scared. You may feel like you are the only one who is nervous about becoming an adult, because I initially felt the same way. Also, if you feel as if your childhood is coming to a stop, you are always a child at heart no matter what age you are! At times, I am still nervous about aging but I have realized that there are many new responsibilities and things to look forward to. Life may not be picture-perfect at times, but it is important to note that other people do understand. Instead of being nervous about becoming another year older, I challenge you to embrace it.
