An Adieu To Adolescence | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

An Adieu To Adolescence

Bye childhood. Peace out, teen years. Hello adulthood.

5
An Adieu To Adolescence
pixabay

The past few weeks of my life have been pretty crazy: I’ve had a few mental breakdowns, clawed my way through midterms, and failed miserably to stick to my workout routine. You get it: I’ve been struggling. But now it’s spring break, and what better way to spend my week back home than by chilling in Starbucks sipping on coffee and catching up with friends with a fresh manicure? In the midst of the chaos that is my life, I’m coming to the realization that something big is approaching: I’m going to be 20 years old in less than 2 weeks.

The strange thing is, I don’t feel any different. I don’t feel wiser or more mature. I feel like the same old Maya I’ve always been. Don’t get me wrong, I have definitely learned a thing or two in the years of being a teen and have come a long way, but I still feel as mediocre as I did when I first entered adolescence. Maybe mediocrity is just apart of my personality. Anyways, the point of this rambling article is to reflect and anticipate the future.

For starters, I want to bid adieu to that weird semi-emo stage I had when I was thirteen. What can I say? I was obsessed with vampires, punk music, and my black eyeliner pencil was my best friend. I want to say bye to all the fake girls I was friends with that I desperately tried to impress. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have the amazing besties that I do now. I want to bid adieu to all those wretched teen romance novels I could not put down. We had some good times but let’s be real, you belong on the shelf and I belong out in the world. I want to say goodbye to all the horrible clothes I owned before I realized you don’t have to be 21 to shop at Forever 21. And while we’re on that note, let’s say goodbye to the caterpillar eyebrows I had before I discovered threading. I want to bid adieu to all those dreadful high school mornings, the secrets I hid from my parents, and crappy music I used to listen to. But most importantly, I want to say goodbye to the awkward and timid girl that was so afraid to be herself and speak her mind.

But then there are the things I’m going to miss: late night adventures past curfew with friends under the summer stars, getting dolled up for prom and school dances, not caring about anyone but myself. There were good moments, but some of the things I enjoyed at one point don’t interest me anymore. In college, I’ve had a taste of adulthood already and I’m honestly not sure if I’m cut out for it, but I have no choice. And even though those teen years were hell, I’ve grown to see things in a different light and have realized that it’s not all about me (shocker). Each of these things, the cringeworthy and the sentimental, embody my adolescence/childhood, and I think I’m finally ready to say goodbye.

I’m on the edge of entering something new, and that makes me erratically nervous. Being considered an actual adult is terrifying, and I don’t think I’ll ever feel like one. I don’t think anyone ever does. Hello random health problems, credit scores, and pressure to get married and have kids! I’ve arrived. People say these are the best years of your life. I sure as hell hope they’re right.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

441665
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

14989
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

40753
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

20756
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

321138
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments