The Struggles of Looking Younger Than You Actually Are

For the most part, it's fairly easy to guess a person's age based off their appearance , but there's those handful of individuals like myself who still resemble that of a high school student. I'm 20 years-old, but sometimes I fall victim to the wrong and somewhat offensive estimates of my age. I usually get 17 years-old (even 16 once). There's no doubt it'll work in your favor when you're older, but its slightly annoying when you're just entering adulthood. The struggle can be so real sometimes.

1. Getting mistaken for a high-schooler

Like I stated above, if complete strangers guessed my age it usually was roughly 17 years-old and even 16. I realize that's somewhat a good ball-park estimate, but I'd much rather appear as a college student since, ya know, I am? Usually, when I tell them I'm in college they only believe it if I said I were a freshman. *sighs*

2. Getting hit on by high-schoolers

I think the only thing worse than getting mistaken for a high-schooler is having one flirt with you. It may not be as creepy as someone who is extremely older and its even laughable, but sometimes it makes you wonder how you appear to guys your own age.

3. You can look 'cute' but never 'sexy'

You can look 'cute' in your Forever 21 outfit but me being not as..er..developed as my friends, that hot lace-up shirt for going out just looks like I'm trying too hard. Looking 'hot' or even a adult may not be an option all the time.

4. Getting carded consistently

Whether it be for R-rated movies or buying cigarettes for my parents, I make sure I have my drivers license on hand before walking in because I know damn sure the clerk is going to ask me for it. I was even accused of it being a fake once at a gas station when it wouldn't scan even though it would make more sense for it to say I'm 21 and not 18 as most people get fakes for bars?

5. It's harder to be taken seriously

This plays in with working with the public. I'm in retail and I try to engage customers with more adult conversations and they usually wouldn't acknowledge the topics as something I would understand so they usually try to dumb down the conversation with things like "So, where do you go to high school?" *slams head off counter multiple times*

6. Being reminded that it'll work in my favor when I'm older

"Oh, honey, you'll love it when you're 40 and look 25!" YEAH BUT WHAT ABOUT RIGHT NOW? Damn it, Mary, I'm trying to establish myself. Just a side note: if you have oily skin, you won't develop wrinkles in the future as much as your normal/dry-skinned counterparts. Fountain of youth, am I right?