My 20th birthday has recently come and gone, and it's made me think about how different my expectations were from the reality. I didn't wake up to find that I had magically matured overnight or morphed into what I thought a 20-year-old should be. I still don't really know what I'm doing or where my life is headed. I still don't love the taste of coffee or know how to pay my taxes, but I've learned that that's OK; your 20s aren't about having all the answers -- they're about finding them.
Here are a few more things that I never expected about turning 20.
1. It's a lot older than it sounds
I am officially two decades old, I will never be a teenager again and I've basically aged 10 years in one day!
2. It's a lot younger than it seems
Yes, I may be chronologically in my 20s, but mentally I'm still...
3. My life is not where I expected it to be
When I was younger, I always assumed that I would have my own apartment, a great job, know who I am and where my life is going. But guess what? None of those things are true! Not even close! I don't know whether to be disappointed or relieved.
4. It's more monumental than turning 18 was
When I turned 18, I was so excited -- I was finally an adult! But, I can honestly say that turning 20 is even more of a milestone than 18 was.
5. It's scarier than turning 21 will be
Now that 20 is here, I am seeing how quickly my future is racing toward me, and it is terrifying. Yes, even scarier than the prospect of being able to legally buy and drink alcohol!
6. I haven't changed a bit
Every year my birthday comes around and I expect to feel a little different, but every year I feel the same.
7. I want to be treated like an adult
8. The word "adult" doesn't mean the same thing as it used to
When I was younger I thought all adults had everything together. Turns out they are just as clueless as the rest of us!
9. Adults still see me as a child
10. I can't really say "when I grow up..." anymore
But I still want to!
11. My metabolism is slowing down
No more late night chicken fingers for me!
12. I'm graduating in two years
And I still can't believe it!
13. Most of the past 20 years I have spent in school
14. I have to start living in "the real world" soon
15. People still think I'm 16
No, when I say I'm a sophomore I don't mean in high school!
16. In 10 years I'll be 30
17. In 20 years I'll be 40!
I don't even want to think about that.
18. I'm excited and scared about the future![]()
19. The past 20 years flew by!
Seriously, where did the time go?
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