Let’s be honest, 18 was a monumental birthday and after relishing in an entire year of the idyllic freedoms of legal adulthood, 19 was kind of a disappointment. It revealed itself as a filler year and lacked any sort of milestones. Now, as more friends are approaching their next birthday, the big two-oh, life starts to get real. Welcome to your 20th birthday life crisis.
For most who are approaching their 20th, second-year has commenced and the past summer was full of jobs, internships, and memories spent at home with your friends and family. It was a summer of reminiscing while also looking to the future. And the future consists of declaring majors, making connections, and making sure life goes on–scary I know.
What we thought was true adulthood at age 18, becomes a blissful dream when we reach 20 and realize that the actual reality of being an independent adult is only three years away. But then again, three years can be a long time. A time of growth and fulfillment. A time to find your passion and pursue it. A time to discover yourself and become confident that when those three years are over, you will know that you are capable, determined, and strong enough to become a successful real-life adult.
I know I am wary of the approach of my 20th birthday crisis, as it is only a mere month away. Especially since 19 has been a whirlwind of a year, I am equally excited and scared for 20. But in times of existential panic, I remind myself that with this next birthday comes two decades of experiences to learn from. Experiences that will become assets in making my successful future a reality, which is the true beauty of this significant birthday.
So when your 20th birthday life crisis rolls around, welcome it! But don’t let it overstay its visit and get on with celebrating your first year out of adolescence–which is a celebration in itself.