I just got my passport yesterday. I know it's a little late in life compared to other people, but I was happy with the way it turned out. I went through the whole process of applying myself and it made me feel very much like an adult to do that for myself. Now I am officially allowed to travel almost anywhere in the world, and I cannot wait to get started. In honor of my new passport, here are some things to do with yours, or incentives to get one yourself:

1. The fact that owning an American passport allows us to access 172 countries with little to no hassle or charge.

Other nations are required to pay a fee when entering other countries. For others, the process is very difficult and heavy restrictions are put upon the traveler.

2. It's an international form of identification.

In times of trouble, a passport will always have your back. All your credentials are right there with no need for all the extra and sensitive paperwork, like a birth certificate. They surpass driver's licenses for the best form of international identification because each county basically has the same layout for passports, so they are easily understood and accepted.

3. The obvious one: you can freely travel outside of the continental United States.

This is sort of a no-brainer, but it's amazing to think about. Because of this one document, you can go see places around the world that would have never been available to you before. Take a look at some of the places you can visit with a passport:

The immaculate White Cliffs of Dover in the United Kingdom.

The snow-capped Mount Fuji in Japan.

Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

My wanderlust may have just gotten the better of me, but I am a newly passport-wielding person, and I can now travel the world. So you bet I'm gonna be excited about it!