Legally, everyone turns into an “adult” when they reach their 18^th birthday. However, someone’s mentality, maturity, and personality doesn’t change in that one defining second from 17 to 18. In fact, nothing really changes. You can be tried as an adult if you commit a crime, get a less restricted driver’s license, and be eligible to vote in elections. You still can’t drink an alcoholic beverage, check into a hotel, or rent a car. Since moving to college, I have become more independent. I’ve even started a “big girl” job, where I have the option of getting benefits and I have to take off using my PTO (paid time off) days. Whoa, what a sentence. Beyond that though, I have to buy my own toilet paper. As an adult that has permanently moved out of my childhood home (where there was always toilet paper), this sucks. Here’s how to know if you’re an adult yet:

1. You’re buying your own groceries, insurance, gas, car, house, etc. with your own money. Not your mom’s, dad’s, or great aunt Susan’s $20 that came in your birthday card.
2. You spend your Sundays cleaning your home instead of sleeping in from Saturday nights out. The organizational OCD just comes out, and it can’t be stopped.
3. You’re tired of the mental anguish of games that the opposite gender plays on you. The “He waited 10 minutes, now I have to wait at least 11 minutes to snapchat back,” sentence goes from being completely logical to one of the most illogical and stupidest things you’ve said to date.
4. You don’t care about pleasing other people, or making an effort to get everyone you come into contact with to like you. You just do you, boo.
5. You begin to appreciate your upbringing, and your parents/guardians. Your parents are no longer the number one enemy; but more like loving and guiding mentors. Well...sometimes.
6. You cut people out of your life that you don’t need anymore. Instead of allowing them to weigh you down like heavy baggage, you simply drop them. Maybe not all at once, but the outcome is the same. You’re free, and can actively pursue all of your passions.
7. Oppositely from number 6, you stop holding grudges against the people you disliked in high school. No one cares about that one boy who cheated off of you that one time, forcing both of you to get zeros.
8. Staying in sounds just as enticing as going out. Regardless if it’s binge-watching Netflix, or cooking dinner for close friends, staying in is just as fun as the dressing up and party hopping, if not more.
9. You’re braver, stronger, wiser, and just overall more conscientious of the person you are and the person you want to be. Becoming an adult doesn’t specifically mean financial stability that comes with the brick house and a family.