Two Decades Down: Diving Into My Twenties

A little more than a week ago, I turned twenty. I was at the beach at the time and was on somewhat of a blogging hiatus, but I think this a post-worthy topic. Some may say that twenty’s not a big deal. And in many ways, they’d be right. Think about it. At eighteeen, you get most of your rights that corollate with adulthood. Pretty much everything but drinking. Nineteen is a big year of nothing (privilege-wise), but twenty is a whole new decade.

For the past couple years, I’ve always gotten the standard “Do you feel any older?” comments. I always said no. Now I can safely say yes. There wasn’t any defining moment, or even my birthday that made me realize I had entered a new era in my life. It was more in the weeks leading up to it. I had started to realize several things that made me know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that I am truely an adult now.

First off, the job I took at the beginning of the summer has turned into pretty much a full time position. That’s not a complaint, it’s just an observation. I really enjoy my job. Attronica is a great company to work for. They really treat their employees well and it’s a really close-knit small business. I mention the almost full time hours because a few months ago, the thought of working full time was foreign to me. I only wanted to work half days originally. But now, I’ve gotten used to it and it doesn’t bother me at all. It’s just a part of life and growing up. Plus, it’s amazing how much more you value your free time and how much you live for the weekends once you have a full time job.

The other way in which I feel like an adult is my social situation. A few weeks ago I was really wrestling with this issue. I’m a very co-dependent person. I like being around people all the time. I also like being out and doing things. I’m not much of a homebody. This has always worked out in the past, but now that all my friends are starting to pretty much work full time, too, it’s harder to find times when everyone can get together, and I see most of them a lot less than I used to. This really bothered me at first. It was a little depressing for a while. But then I realized it’s not me, it’s not them, it’s just life. You learn to value the time you have with those you care about a lot more when you see them a lot less.

It’s still weird to think I’m no longer a teenager. I’m a “twenty something,” or whatever you prefer, now. It’s both exciting and a little frightening, but I’m ready to take on another decade.