I'm not sure about you, but I grew up watching the nautical sponge, better known as Spongebob Squarepants. Recently, I was re-watching some old episodes (no shame, cartoons are for all ages). Now that I'm "all grown up," I was able to catch some subtle jokes that went entirely over my head as a child. Here are some super relatable Spongebob moments we can appreciate now as *cough* adults.
1. Missing The Bus
When I first started using public transportation, I missed my fair share of buses. Sometimes, I would think bus drivers got a kick out of closing the doors and maniacally driving off. (Okay, that's a little dramatic.) But, still to this day, I get anxiety when I hear the warning beeps of a stopping bus.
2. Procrastination
One of my favorite episodes is one of the most relatable, especially as a college student. As we get older, just like Spongebob realizes, there are different breeds of procrastination. There's the "productive procrastination" where we end up cleaning, organizing.. basically anything but the project that's probably due tomorrow. We can't have dirty garbage right? There's the procrastination where we end up calling our friends to distract us.. (and they kindly remind us we have an essay to do.) My personal vice is getting sucked into You-Tube. Hey.. it was break time!
3. Valentines Day Blues 
Okay, is it just me, or is it that the older we get, the more Squidward becomes our spirit animal? Well in this particular episode, I felt his pain. Valentine's day can be an annoying reminder about being single, and you just get sick of looking at all the sappy couple stuff. At the same time, it can be annoying when you're in a relationship too. It's not everyone's cup of tea to be super mushy, and V-Day puts a weird pressure on you. Either way, I feel ya Squidward.
4. Finals
With all the late nights procrastinating, we are all scrambling to get everything done and the grades that we want. It's like trying to put out a fire. (Hey.. C's get degrees.)
5. Holiday Stress
With Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, I feel like we all have moments where we're all kind of over it. Personally, I'm spiritually ready for the holidays, but not financially. Once the radios over play Mariah Carey's Christmas album, I'll be ready to vomit those weird frosted sugar cookies. (We all know what those are.)
6. Not Wanting To Grow Up
This episode hit me a little too hard. Leaving home to go to college was really hard and trying to "adult" at the same time can be pretty overwhelming sometimes. I think we all had moments where we wish we could go back to the time where all we had to worry about was the post-stomach ache after visiting grandma's house.
7. Bad Pick Up Lines
I'm sure we've all come to face the really awkward pick up lines. I downloaded Tinder over summer and.. well the cringe was all too real with pick up lines such as:
"You look sick.. you must be lacking Vitamin ME" (This was one of the more family-friendly ones)
8. Loner
Alright, this is for all my fellow introverts. I have a really hard time making new friends and I spent a lot of time on my own my freshman year. It's okay.. I mean I've got Chip, Penny, and Used Napkin... Take it away Penny! *Sings INDOOORS*
9. Failing For The First Time
We were all warned that college would be a lot more difficult than high school. I shrugged it off until I failed my very first Biology exam. It was pretty devastating at first, but just some advice... it's really not the end of the world. The professors at App State are super helpful and they are more than willing to help you out.
10. Existential Crisis
At some point we all have had moments where we question the very foundations of our lives; whether it has meaning, purpose or value. The twenties can be a very confusing time because we will face many crossroads. Don't get too down in the dumps though, it happens to the best of us, even our upbeat spongy hero.
11. Heart Break
Recently, I was dumped. Pretty hard. For the first time, I finally understood what people meant when they said their heart hurts. It was weird to have that tight feeling in your chest like you're constantly on the verge of tears. It sucks and at times it pisses you off that a person could do this to you. I feel you Patrick. But just as cliche as the sayings about heartbreak were true, the cliche solutions were true too. It just takes time baby.
12. Money Doesn't Grow On Trees
Alright, this one is ending our list because it's something we really couldn't understand as kids. Now that we're out of the house and have bills to pay *gasp* it's something we all, unfortunately, can relate to. I remember when I was little, I would say "I can't wait to grow up and buy all the junk food I want." Now, it seems like I can only afford Ramen noodles. When I finally get paid, I'm just forking over money to various overdue bills. Let's not mention student loans...
It's great to finally get all those sneaky adult jokes in our favorite childhood shows... right? :')
