I'm 21 and going on 22-years-old in November and I can tell you I don't even have the time nor the patience to wait the recommended five minutes before eating my microwaved pizza bagels, let alone start planning a wedding before I've even so much as graduated college.
Now, I'm not bashing anyone that chooses to get engaged at a young age, but hear me out. I've spent the last three years working and studying my butt off, doing internship after internship, spending hundreds of my own money on books and fees (and even more of my parents'), and dug myself into thousands of dollars of debt even with scholarships to help. I've got my eye on the prize and by that I mean my diploma in May 2016. I have neither the time or energy to even so much as worry about walking down the aisle.
With that said, when I am finally done with school, I have no intention of slowing down. I'm not interested in getting engaged and planning a wedding. I'm not interested in buying a house. I'm not interested in beginning a family.
I'm 21-years-old. You know what interests me?
Buying cute stuff for my apartment.
Buying my first new car--with my own, hard-earned money from my first real job.
Traveling, whether it's with my friends, family, boyfriend or alone.
Francesca's new arrivals.
Going to Walnut Wednesdays on my lunch break in downtown Cleveland.
Buying that crazy-expensive beer at the Indians game because I don't need to worry about saving for a wedding or a home just yet.
After having worked so hard the last three years and entering my last year as an undergrad, the biggest thing I have learned is that there is no rush to grow up faster than I need to.
I'm 21-years-old and I can tell you I care way more about what will happen to Frank and Claire Underwood' marriage on "House of Cards" than what my own future marriage will be like (Sorry, not sorry). That's not to say that I don't gush over Monica and Chandler's relationship on "Friends," either.
And I like it this way. I like not worrying about weddings and babies, but even more than that, I like knowing I have all those things to look forward to--later in my life, when I have my sh*t together, really together. I'm looking forward to being truly, 100 percent independent, in everything I do.
I'm 21-years-old and I don't need, or particularly want anyone else's help or consultation when making decisions.
After graduating college, my life is still taking off.
"Your 20's are your 'selfish' years. It's a decade to immerse yourself in every single thing possible. Be selfish with your time, and all the aspects of you. Tinker with shit, travel, explore, love a lot, love a little, and never touch the ground." -Kyoko Escamilla
I'm 21-years-old and I am choosing to be selfish.
