There is no denying that being in your 20s is something to celebrate—they don’t call it “Twenty-Fun” for nothing. But reaching this age is also a transition. You are no longer a teen and feel more and more like a real adult every day. And with that comes greater responsibilities, tougher life decisions, and harsher realities. But, while growing up is certainly never easy, here are five reasons why these years are some of the best of your life.
1. Freedom
No one is telling you "no" anymore. Your parents may be able to guide you, you may turn to friends for advice, but ultimately, you are responsible for making your own decisions and dealing with the consequences that result. Want to stay up until 3 a.m. and sleep until noon? Go for it. The tricky part may be being responsible with the decisions you make, but the reward comes from choosing to make the right decisions and taking charge of your life all on your own.
2. You’re More Mature
Gone are the days of petty high school drama. As you get older, it becomes much easier to pick your battles, let things roll right off your back, and generally be more at peace with the world around you. You have suffered through enough bad choices and troubled times to know how best to make the right decisions and how to react when things don’t go your way. And the people around you (hopefully) have grown more mature as well, making it a lot easier to let go of the little things and focus on the important aspects of life.
3. You’re Beginning Your Career
You’ve gotten a foot in the door of the real world, and if you’re lucky, you’re getting paid to do what you love. You’ve decided how you are going to spend your weekdays for the next few decades, and even if you haven’t quite figured that out yet, you’re on your way to finding what makes you feel fulfilled.
4. Traveling On Your Own
If you go through half your 20s without discovering the joy of traveling on your own and without your parents, I suggest you hop on the next available flight. Whether it is a road trip across your own state or a backpacking trip in Europe, you will never feel more independent than the first time you visit another city or country, discover a new culture, and learn from the world around you. Travel will teach you more about yourself than you ever thought possible. It will force you to wander far outside your comfort zone and open your eyes to just how much the world has to offer.
5. Independence—Without Dependents
Although you will be independent and responsible for the rest of your life, your 20s are the only time you will only be responsible for yourself. You think keeping track of bills is hard now? Imagine having to support an entire family. In your 20s, you only need to worry about number one, and there is so much more room for spontaneity.
In the end, there are no true golden years. Life is about embracing the present moment, no matter what stage you are in and what trials you may face. It is important to look toward the future and remember the lessons from our past, but there is nothing greater than right now. Whether you are reading this at 16, longing for the day you can be on your own, or at 40 and wishing you could go back to a time of less responsibility and a lot more fun, every year of our life offers a new lesson and a new reason to celebrate.
