What’s The Buzz About Being Buzzed On Your 21st Birthday?
Start writing a post
Student Life

What’s The Buzz About Being Buzzed On Your 21st Birthday?

1
What’s The Buzz About Being Buzzed On Your 21st Birthday?
Unsplash: Stephanie McCabe

I think it’s an American notion – to get wasted on your twenty-first birthday. As the month of my birthday rapidly approached the questions came flooding in; what was I going to be doing, where was I going, who was I going to be with, would I need to be off from work the day after? I just kept thinking, why does everyone care? Then I realized, that I didn’t have the traditional plans that a college senior has for my birthday. All of my co-workers kept telling about how I was going to change my mind, I had to get drunk, and yet there I was, insisting that I was just going to run to the Wine and Spirits and get myself a nice bottle of wine. That plan sounded like the most fun in my mind – so what is the buzz about being buzzed on your twenty-first birthday?

In America, we have completely lost the idea of drinking for the taste and the food, and we are all left thinking the only reason we should drink to get drunk. It feels like in modern culture one woman can’t have just one glass of wine, she needs to drink the whole bottle – and I can’t help but wonder why we (collectively as a nation) look at becoming twenty-one as the last big year of partying and being irresponsible. The reality is that becoming twenty-one is not the last year someone has to act like a child; becoming twenty-one is the first year society expects one to act like an adult.

For my birthday, I woke up just like any other day. Got dressed, threw on some makeup, and went to lunch with a friend. It was weird for me to order a drink, and in fact ordering the drink didn’t make my meal any better worse. I was excited to drink my first legal drink, and took a celebratory photo of me with my girly, pink drink because it’s tradition right? Later that day I went to dinner with a few friends and again I ordered one drink. For me, it wasn’t about the drinks. It was about seeing my friends and celebrating life. I had such a good time laughing and talking with them – isn’t that what someone is supposed to do on their birthday?

Later that night, my mom came home. I was sitting on the couch watching Netflix in my jammies, and she wanted to know if I had a good birthday and some good drinks. I told her that the day was fine and that I was just nice to see everyone. She seemed confused by the notion that I hadn’t gone out and partied all night. What was wrong with that? What was so wrong with me wanting to come home a decent hour? I had work the next day, it was a Wednesday night, and I just didn’t want to? Why was everyone making me feel like I was doing something wrong for doing the responsible thing? That’s when I realized that it didn’t matter what she thought, or my co-workers thought. I had an amazing time, and maybe I am the oddball. I am happy to remember my twenty-first birthday, I am happy how I spent it, and I am happy to break free from the expectations modern culture tried to shove down my throat.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

51473
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33040
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956035
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180984
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments