Well, it finally happened almost two weeks ago. What am I referring to here? I mean that after years of (somewhat) waiting, I finally became a 21-year-old.

Wahoo! Finally, 21! At long last, I am out of the age purgatory I call “20 years old” and have more freedom to explore the world. My driver’s license can now be used to help me buy booze and get into bars. Initially, I was so excited about turning 21 and being able to go out with my friends. However, the honeymoon phase of this new chapter is already over, so I decided to look back on what it has been like to be at this age for almost two weeks.

Once it was my birthday, I thought I was going to feel so different about turning 21. Over these last few years, I always felt different and more grown up when I got older. However, I did not feel that way once the clock struck 12:01 on my birthday. I feel the exact same way I felt at 20. What is the difference now? I am the exact same person I was on that birthday, but now I have the ability to legally drink and be a part of most beer companies’ target audience.

When you become 21, going to bars becomes both a fun way to spend time with friends and a social obligation. Right now, some of my friends like to go to this bar right near our workplace. Now that I can get in there, I usually try to make it out whenever I can. I love being able to catch up with my friends over a couple of beers, but there are times when I really do not feel like going.

Are my feelings due to the fact that I am the classic “poor college student who makes bad decisions and has little money?" Well, a little. However, my whole thing now is I want to try and go to different places, yet I feel obligated to honor this tradition with my friends. I don’t mind doing that, but I think a change of scenery could be a good thing.

While the social obligations of the age of legal drinking might be inconvenient sometimes, being 21 does open you up to new places you can go. Just last week, I went to this one bar a little further away with another group of friends. My friends guaranteed this bar (also known as Irish Eyes) would be the one I was going to love. They were right. I love the relaxing atmosphere (and live music is a plus as well).

We all loved the place, yet it is one everyone only occasionally goes to. I’ve been there a couple of times since then, and I think I found a place I enjoy. I think finding a place I enjoy is a part of being 21. You need to find a place you can enjoy, and start a tradition there.

So this is what it has been like thus far with being a new 21-year-old. Sure, you are obligated to go out more and to different places. That is not a bad thing. While you are still young, you should explore and find places you enjoy. You should do this with your friends! Whatever you do, just go out and explore! You’ll never know what you will like if you do not do that.