My 19th Year | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

My 19th Year

A birthday reflection on a long and complicated year

61
My 19th Year
Pintrest

On July 4th, 2017, I will be turning 19 years old. That is 6,935 days, 166,440 hours, 9, 986, 400 minutes, and 599,184,000 seconds; in other words, a long ass time. In some ways my life so far has been much the same as everyone else’s. I’ve spent a lot of time eating, sleeping, crying, laughing, doing homework, petting dogs, and waiting for the weekend. It’s been mostly sunshine and rainbows with the occasional rainy day, and even a thunderstorm now and again. Looking back, I am glad of the early storms because they taught me how little I like to be caught off guard in the rain. I’ve learned to put on a coat, let the water roll off my back, and try to enjoy the feeling of the droplets on my face. Recently I’ve gotten used to the presence of a passing storm, or maybe I’ve just come to appreciate a change in the weather. Either way I think it’s all part of growing up. At some point you have to learn how to dance in the rain.

My 19th year has been the most difficult, emotional, and tumultuous year of my life, but I wouldn’t change it even if I could. I’ve been completely broken down more than once, but each time I’ve managed to put myself back together again, and I think I’m stronger for it. In my shattered and scattered state, I had a chance to examine all the little pieces of myself that come together and make me who I am. I know myself better now, and I realize that I still have a lot of growing up to do, and I probably always will. Every person has a lot to teach, and even more to learn. At some point this year I stopped wondering when I would finally feel like an adult, and I think that’s because I realized I probably never would. You see, the idea of adulthood has a finality to it that I don’t understand. It’s as if you reach a certain milestone or age and suddenly you’re expected to know everything, but you don’t, because you’re just a person, the same person you’ve been all your life. It’s not you that’s changed, it’s the way everyone else sees you, and the only thing to do for it is to realize that what they think doesn’t matter. All you can do is live however you believe and find people who will understand that you’ll always be learning and they will too.

Above all else, this year has reminded me that I am lucky. Not just the normal kind of lucky, but truly and completely blessed to be loved by the most wonderful people in the world. I have learned to lean on them when I need them, but also to take my independence and run with it. Friends come in all shapes and sizes. It doesn’t matter if they’re old or young, or even four legged and furry, as long as they make you happy keep them close to your heart. So, thank you, thank you to everyone who helped me survive my 19th year. I mean it when I say I couldn’t have done it without you. I never knew how much of a difference a trip around the sun could make on a person, but the good, the bad, and the ugly of this year have each left their mark on me. I am scarred, and I am tired, but I am also hopeful, thankful, and ready to see what my 20th year has in store. Let the adventure continue.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

76093
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

6673
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments