Many of us are approaching or have lived through this time sandwiched between the youthful, vibrant age of 21 and the approaching adulthood age of 22 and wonder, how did this happen?
No one can deny that the time between wanting to be 21 and actually turning 21 feels relatively the same as the amount of time it took Ross and Rachel to get together, or the amount of time it took Tom Hanks to get off his little island, or the time before Beyoncé will become anything but perfect.
Basically, it is forever. And when it seems like it is just so close, your friends will go out to the bar and you will sit at home with a bottle of Prosecco and count the days.
But everyone puts in their time (except for you cheaters who have really good fakes that you can count on) and when you get to that glorious night, it will be a mess you will never forget. Actually, you will most definitely forget it, but your friends will never let you.
And for the next couple of months, life will seem blissful. You can go to the bars whenever you want. You can go into the liquor store and browse for hours; you’ll still end up buying the vodka found on the lowest shelf, but you will be able to go up to that counter and valiantly wave your ID at the salesperson with no shame. And you can drink at any and all family parties without having to ask. Brilliant!
But when the time comes when your next birthday comes rolling along, things change a little bit. You may wonder what the proper etiquette is at the bar on your 22nd birthday. Has the TSwift song passed its time? Can I dust off this tiara because I have really been waiting for this opportunity again? And will my friends still take care of me like last time, or no?
Those questions you will find the answers to in time I’m sure, but what about what comes after this 21st year? 21 has been so long awaited that I feel like things might just start to crumble after!
Okay, not crumble, but probably get a little more real and adultish.
I can only think that graduation is approaching which means a job and then paying for a lot of things. Like, should I have a retirement plan started? Maybe I should try and figure out what that stocks app does on my phone. Not sure, but it’s a whole new world out there in “feelin’ 22.”
Hey, but let’s be excited. Each new year has something to offer. And though the year 22 has yet to be determined, it will be stocked piled with changes, exciting endeavors, and challenges.
There are lots of things to consider, but one thing is for sure: it’s going to be different.
