Recently there’s been two articles floating around, one defending college party girls, and one defending the opposite point of view.

My entire adult life (re: four years), I’ve been wrestling with this notion of whether I was the boring stay-at-home burying my face in a pint of ice cream, Netflix marathoner or the bad decision-maker drunk frat guy-hunter. Both of those sound horribly derisive and stereotypical. And you know what? I’m tired of it. Because we are not simple products to be placed into boxes and neatly labeled. Like that old El Paso commercial where the family argues over soft or hard taco shells, I ask the age old question: why can’t we have both?

A lot of party girls claim that they work hard, study, and get good grades – but they still like to go out for Taco Tuesday or Thirsty Thursday. Does that really make you a party girl then? Or are you just a work-hard/play-harder kind of gal? Having your priorities straight while still having fun is kind of the key to life. I also don't think that enjoying a good read on the couch or preferring a museum day over margarita festivals makes me a "grandma."

When we think of going out and having fun we think of getting plastered drunk or going home with an orgy of seniors. But does it have to be that way? A couple of drinks can surely suffice. And maybe just getting that cute guy’s number, or a little makeout session in the corner. Go hard or go home isn’t the only way. There is a way to pace yourself. Because I prefer to think of my party experiences not as a phase, or just one facet of my life. I tend to think of it as a part of who I am. I like going out. I also like staying at home too – because let’s face it, partying can wear you out! Life is a journey to be sought. Experiences don’t have to be designated for one specific time or place. The party girl can exist anywhere. And you can be the quiet girl can be any day. You don’t have to wait until you’re 25 to binge-watch and inhale that pizza. And you can still go to Happy Hour then too.

If you prefer one or the other, I’m not saying that’s wrong. But what I’m saying is that our lives and the experiences we have aren’t so easily defined. There are those of us out there that don’t really consider themselves either because doing what you enjoy is as limitless as it is ageless.

So do what you want, don't judge others for their choices, and just be you.