Life is More Beautiful at the Age of 21
Make these parts of your Sweet 21 achievement!
In a nutshell, there is one quote says, “Age is just a number.” It makes me wonder:
- Do I have to keep asking my parents for pocket money?
- do I have to keep quiet in the room and play games all day while my parents work continuously?
- When will I get a steady job with a steady income like my father? I want to be like that too.
That’s all I thought about when I was 21 years old. Well, that means I’m too late to do everything. But I want to remind you what I want to do the most before turning 21, and you should do that too.
1. Have my financial freedom
I saw Millennials who became very rich at 18 by starting their business since 16 years old. They already have drive car and nothing to worries about money. From a social-economical point of view, they, believe it or not, are more respected.
At the age of 18, my parent was not allowed me to work. They want me to focus on my education. So I have to ask my parents for pocket money continuously if I want to stay alive.
However, I also realized that asking my parents for pocket money has several disadvantages. First of all, the money that I got will be stable at $20 in one week, whereas if I work, it can be more than that or at least I can save it as my side income. That way, I can buy everything I want. Second, I feel low in social-economical. It is still troublesome for my parents where they have to work hard to give me pocket money.
2. Have my place to stay
I want to have my place to stay (with a note that I already have a large enough income for the afford). Financial freedom is number one. No matter what, as time goes on, financial freedom will take precedence in life.
There are several benefits of staying at my own place: I will wash my own clothes, I will clean my own dishes, I will cook my own food, and I can be myself by working the jobs I want without being bothered by my parents at home. By being able to do all of this, I feel I don’t need to rely on anyone.
It is good to be able to do it all by myself, because I believe that, one day, some of the people closest to me will disappear. Here, ready or not, I have to be able to do it myself.
3. Have a relationship (PEACEFULLY)
It is okay if you want a boyfriend, girlfriend, friend, team or whatever you called it. You will need them for any situation: make a decision, social activity, and do many things that you and your partner have the same interest.
But I think it is optional because I stay single and stay happy. I broke up with my girlfriend for the last two year because our dating sucked. Instead of keeping that situation, I think being single makes me less burdened.
Still, nowadays, I feel uncomfortable with this single situation. I haven’t had social activities and holidays together for a long time.
4. Solo Travelling (or Date Travelling is OK!)
Do you understand your own culture yet? What is in the world outside 1000KM from the place you live? Everything will be different.
By travelling, I can learn about the culture of the outside world. Maybe I will feel a little culture shock. I will learn to appreciate the differences. I have to obey the rules where I am staying.
When I was a child, I used to did field trips with my parents. Now, at the age of 21, I have to be able to do travel on my own. With solo travelling, I can improve my communication skills, and meet lots of new people.
Are you still afraid to communicate and meet new people? By solo travelling, you will fight it all.
5. Stop listen to my parents
My parents are over-protective. My parents prohibited me from joining campus organizations, working to earn money, and enjoying ‘The dark world.’ They wanted me to be able to get a very high education.
But here too I realized, I have no plans after I get an education. I feel like my parents are holding me back from being myself.
Besides, it is my time to get out of my comfy zone. It is time for me to get into ‘The dark world.’ I need to adapt to the community so I can be mature like my parents.
Therefore, age 21 is no longer me for parents to set up. Now I am an adult. I can do what I want and earn what I can.
To me, the age of 21 is not just a number. It indicates that I am an adult and no longer a toddler. In this age, I will realize that I will need my financial freedom, my good relationship, my privacy place, and my job that I am proud of. I will be happy to have them all.
I suggest you too have started working on your own from the age of 16–18 years because all this will be gradual, and requires a process. If your parents inhibit all these processes, then they will become your foe.
