I have always wanted the freedom and respect that comes with being an adult. However, with my 18th birthday approaching next week, I am now reflecting on what adulthood really means and some of the mixed emotions that I am feeling about finally becoming one.
I think people often refer to their teenage years as the “best time of their lives’’ because as a teen you have all the freedom without the responsibility.
You’re at the perfect age where you can drive, go out alone and make most of your own decisions. However, you are also young enough to avoid all the responsibilities of being an adult which makes your teens a very fun time.
Being a youth is also such a unique experience because there’s endless opportunities to meet new people and make friends.
Schools are literally buildings filled with people of similar age and potential friends.
If that’s not enough, there are sports and extracurricular activities where you can find likeminded people your age.
I encourage all young people to take advantage of this opportunity to make friends or even acquaintances, because you can learn something from everybody and these connections may be important later in life.
While childhood is a very exciting time I plan on things only getting better. Being an adult means more than being able to go to the bar and drink but it also means being in full control of your life.
You are now free to make some of the most important decisions, for example: where you want to live, how you want to earn money, and who you want to spend your time with. These are the choices that will shape your life and who you become.
While the limitless possibilities are very exciting they are also a little overwhelming.
There are so many different directions and none of them are wrong. On top of that becoming an adult means there are a lot of new stressful responsibilities like voting, paying taxes, making money and living on your own that you will soon have to figure out.
It’s also a confusing time because while I have felt grown up for years, I certainly don’t feel like an adult now and maybe never will.
If I have learned anything up to this point, it’s to be unashamedly yourself. While this sounds cliché it’s the best advice I could possibly give. When you are yourself you attract the right people who love you for who you are. Authenticity also gives you a level of confidence that you simply cannot reach when you are not being yourself.
Lastly, I would like to say thank you on behalf of all children, to all parents who have done their best to support and raise their kids.
Even the small things like driving us before we could drive ourselves, or cooking dinner really adds up.
Most of all we appreciate the unconditional love even when we make mistakes. All the sacrifices and love does not go unnoticed and while we might not say it enough we are so thankful for all that you have done.
Cheers to adulthood and all that entails.
