All Grown Up

I am not a big fan of the word adult. I don’t like being called one and I often joke with my friends that we are nowhere near adults. Despite my efforts in trying to stay forever young, I’ve grown up more in the last two weeks than in the last two years. Let me explain.

Perhaps the most obvious adult activity I’ve participated in during the last two weeks occurred today. While it is not my first time voting, I did feel empowered this morning casting my vote. One positive part of growing up is earning the right to vote. With that right comes the responsibility of educating yourself about the candidates. I hope everyone exercised their right to vote, a right so many were denied in the past.

Throughout the last month, I’ve been redoing my room. New paint, new curtains, carpet cleaned and picture collages updated; the room has done a complete 360. Since I was away at school for the last four years, I didn’t bother to change my room at all. Now that I’m home, it was time for a change. I also got rid of a lot of clutter in the room, making it look much more grown-up. Having a bedroom that represents my age and not my shoe size has made me much happier.

Yesterday, my two friends and I donated blood. Again, this is something that I’ve done before, but this time it felt different. I’ve never donated blood with my childhood friends before. It showed me that we have evolved from little girls to young adults who are willing to give back. We also knew that our donations were going to Hurricane Sandy victims. For us, it was a small way to help so many people who were effected in our area.

About two weeks ago, I leased a 2013 Scion TC also known as the car I’ve wanted since I was sixteen. I absolutely had a mini panic attack when I made the down payment and figured out the insurance. It was a big step for me, being completely in charge of something for the first time. I’ve never felt more like an adult than I did when I signed the papers for my car. It was both exciting and terrifying.

So here’s the biggest reason I feel more like an adult lately: I got a job. Consider this the official announcement. I will be starting at Pricewaterhouse Cooper in Manhattan next week as part of their project management team. I am extremely lucky for this opportunity and can’t wait to start next week. As I read through employee benefits and 401K information, I couldn’t help but think, this is it, life is going to start. As much as I’ve tried to deny it, college is over and it’s time to be an adult. While this next phase of my life is a bit scary, I am finally ready to experience all adulthood has to offer. I guess this growing up thing isn’t as bad as I thought!

Tagged: Adulthood, Donating Blood, First Jobs, Growing Up, Voting