Since the beginning of time, people have been turning 21. It's nothing new, but over the last few decades, a 21st birthday has become a monumental occasion. As a teenager, I couldn't wait until the magical day my license went horizontal and I could legally purchase alcohol. My 20th birthday kicked off the 365 day count down until my 21st. Now that I am finally of age, it's not all that it's cracked up to be. With great power comes small struggles.
1. Your License
Before any of the birthday fun can begin, you have to get a new drivers license. Though going horizontal is exciting and makes everything seem "real," no one takes a good DMV head-shot. No amount of makeup or hair styling can prevent a terrible picture.
2. The BirthDay
Whether you start celebrating at the stroke of midnight or as soon as classes get out, you still have to be a responsible human being. You can't go to class or work with a drink in your hand and tiara on your head.
3. Time to Party
You might have a weekend in Vegas or a night at the local watering whole, but it never lives up to everything you dreamed your 21st would be. You have a great time, but it's nothing worth making a Dave Franco movie about.
4. The free drinks don't last forever.
No one would ever buy the Three Wisemen shot for themselves, but when it's free, there's no complaining. You milk it for a few weeks, but after a while, it's time to buy your own drinks -- and drinks are expensive.
5. Your dinner bills suddenly double.
Cocktails cost the same, if not more than, entrees. Getting a little buzz with your meal is an awesome feeling, but crazy expensive. Beware of menus that don't list drink prices.
7. There's a solid line between casual and binge drinking.
And when you're finally able to drink at family Christmas parties and other grown up events, any more than a glass or two of wine is a problem.
8. So. Many. Wines.
You can't get boxed wine forever. With hundreds of bottles to choose from, learning the differences and finding your favorite is an immediate need. At the very least, be able to tell Pinot Grigio from Pinot Noir.
9. Craft Beers
Natty Light has a special place at BBQs, but expanding your taste in beers will help you look like you know what you're doing at rooftop bars. It's okay to hate IPAs.
10. Bars are a different world.
Drinks are overpriced, lines are long, music is loud, and bathrooms are disgusting. If you want to actually be able to see and hear your friends when you go out, stay away from clubs. Also, cover charges are so real. And bouncers are mean.
11. Not all of your friends are 21.
You never want to leave out that one friend who's way younger than the rest. Waiting to go out with everyone sometimes takes years. It's even worse when they ask you to procure, but saying no to a friend means saying no to a hefty fine and serious jail time.
12. Hangovers
The struggle is so real. After a day of Netflix and fast food recovering, somehow we still choose to go out again.
Despite the struggles of legal adulthood, it's not all that bad. You get to have fun with your friends, treat yo'self to wine nights whenever you want, and get drinks with coworkers after a long day. You might even grow to have a favorite craft beer and find a new restaurant with amazing happy hour specials (and happy hours make up for every struggle). So take the struggles in stride and embrace this next level of adulthood. I can drink to that.
