21 Guns

As I mentioned in my previous post, tomorrow I turn 21, and this is scary because I still feel like a teenager, but this feels like I'm officially going to be a 'proper' adult. But what does it actually mean to be a 21 year-old, or indeed a proper adult?

1. I can drink in the US
Okay, so maybe it's not quite such a big deal over here. I mean I'm turning 21, so here I've been drinking (legally) for the last 3 years, and it's really not that big a deal anymore. I guess I've never really been one who's been overly enthusiastic about going out and drinking until you vomit or pass out anyway, but it's nice to know that I can drink if I ever do make the trip to New York that I've been craving.

2. I can teach someone to drive (almost)
I don't know how many of you reading this aren't from the UK, but over here the law states to legally supervise a learner you have to be over 21 and to have had your licence for over 3 years, well I'm turning 21, and in May I would have had my licence for that long so technically I have a little more responsibility.

3. It's time to get serious about my career
Okay, those of you who have read my previous posts will know that I'm already pretty serious, and I know what I want, but everything just seems a little closer, therefore it's time to really get focused!

4. Marriage seems a lot closer than it did when I was 19
It's a strange thought that when my mum was 21 she had been married for almost 2 years and she was pregnant. I'm definitely not at that stage, at the moment my focus is on my education, but the thought of getting married is never really quite that far away, and it's very realistic that I could be getting married in the next few years. So many of my friends are engaged at the moment, it just doesn't seem that distant, particularly in Christian circles, young marriage is celebrated, and I'm not quite as opposed to that as I once was.

5. If I was theoretically in a news/ police report I'd be referred to as 'woman' rather than 'girl'
Okay, so I know this one is applicable from me being 18, but I had this thought the other day, and it's a strange one for me to comprehend, when I was younger the thought of being referred to as 'woman' just seemed so much older than me, I think I quite like it.

6. I'm probably not going to grow anymore
I think 5'4 was always a bit of a pipe dream, if you've ever met my mother you'd realise that the likelihood of me being tall, or even average height was slim anyway, but I don't think I ever really gave up hope. Anyway at 5'2 (and a half!) I can still buy petite clothing without it being too short, and I can wear heels as high as I want, and I'm still not the tallest person in any of my friend groups, and I'm not taller than my boyfriend, so that's always a plus!

7. I'm in the prime of my child-bearing years
Not that I'm going to have children for a very long time, it's weird to think though that biologically, if I was going to, the best time would be right now.

8. I have as much independence as I'm ever going to have
I love having my own space. Anti-social? Maybe. But I also love company. I love having the choice. Being 21, having moved out, paying bills, owning a car, having a job, having no dependants. I'm completely trusted to be able to take care of myself, and yet still young enough to be a little selfish and just do things for me from time to time, and I like it.

9. My metabolism isn't quite as fast as it once was
So this means I need to regulate my diet a little bit more, not so much sweets and junk, but more healthy options, and proper regular meals. No fads to lose weight, proper exercise. If I'm going to be an adult, I need to act like one - Including my diet. My body will thank me.

10. It's all downhill from here?
So many people say to me - "Oooh 21, it's all downhill from there" or "The years go quicker than you'd expect", but I don't think this is true. Yes being a teenager an carefree is fun, but I'm pretty excited about what my twenties may bring. I'll start my 'proper' career, I might get married, I might even have children, a mortgage. In all honesty, I know this things bring added stress and responsibility, but each is a new challenge and I'm pretty excited about each one of them. Maybe I'm older emotionally than physically, but I dream about getting married, decorating my first home, I dream about being a doctor, about being pregnant and having babies. I'm not saying I'm in any rush, but I am excited about all these things, and I fully intend to make the most out of my twenties, and not just let them flit away.

But for now: Happy Birthday for me, for tomorrow.

XOX