Back when you were 12, the one thing you couldn’t wait for was to turn 13. Nothing was as exciting as finally making that transition from lame-o pre-teen to an actual teenager. Your teenage years were some of your best; you managed to survive the awkward middle school phase, you learned how to drive and probably got your license and you legally entered adulthood. A lot happened in those 7 years. But all good things must come to an end. Just as you spent most of your time as a 12-year-old anticipating becoming a teenager, you spent your time as a 19-year-old considering what it will be like to be “in your twenties.” The more you think about it, the more emotions you’ll begin to feel: eagerness, fear, curiosity to name a few. The process of coming to terms with the fact that you’re about to enter your third decade on this planet may actually be very similar to that of the stages of grief. They are as follows:
Denial
I refuse to accept the fact that I am no longer a teenager. I don’t feel any different. I’m probably going to accidentally tell people I’m 19 for the next few months anyway so why even bother turning 20. I’m perfectly content with remaining a teen for as long as possible because with being 20 comes being recognized as more of an adult, and with that comes more responsibility. So how about I just stay blissfully ignorant for a little while longer?
Anger
20 is such a pointless age. I’ve been able to vote and buy lottery tickets for 2 years now and that’s old news. My next big milestone isn’t for another year when I turn 21 and can drink. So really what is there to look forward to about turning 20? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Bargaining
Okay, what if I turn 20 but I still act like I’m 19? I’m still in college so nothing will really be that different anyway. Let the 25 and 26-year-olds represent our decade and I’ll continue to identify with all my 19-year-old friends. There’s gotta be some loophole here that gets me out of turning 20; some kind of magic spell that makes every birthday my 19th. Or what if I promise to do it all better? Let me stay 19 for another year and I (probably) won’t make any of the mistakes I made this time around.
Depression
I remember back when I was 6. My biggest worry was what toy I was going to play with next and all I had to do in the way of “work” was a coloring page for kindergarten. Snacks were provided and a late night was considered being up past 9:30. Now everything is so stressful and the looming thought of adulthood has been intensified by the idea of being 20. As I get older the stress will only grow and joy will not come as easily as it did when I was young.
Acceptance
I guess being a “twenty-something” could be fun. This is the beginning of the decade where a lot of great things usually happen. Graduating college, starting your first real job, your first apartment. Heck, some people are even married or have kids by the time they’re out of their twenties....okay that part may actually be kinda scary.
There’s a lot to look forward to in life. Dwelling on the years that have passed will only make it harder to live in the moment and enjoy the years to come. With that said, let us all commemorate the beginning of the next chapter in our lives. For those of us who are not quite yet 20, remember you have so much to look forward to. For those who are past that milestone, there is always another one to be reached and celebrated. Cheers to twenty years!
