Most forget that birthdays are a marker of time for each individual. People usually associate birthdays with presents and parties when in reality they celebrate the accomplishment of living for another year, a seemingly miniscule event to some. I, for one, have been thinking a lot lately about how amazing it is that I have lived for 18 years as of February 24th.

On my 16th and 17th birthdays, I remember being upset. Upset about turning older, which is a strange response for someone my age. I’ve previously associated getting older with having less time to do the influential things I’ve planned to do.  I’m always constantly worried about my future, which I hope includes making a difference in this world somehow, and I thought that somehow turning older would interfere with my goals. However, this year I’ve reached the rational conclusion that growing older by no means limits me. I can still become an accomplished author or a professional technician and in fact am moving closer towards these aspirations with every passing day. During my 18th year, I will be migrating closer to my dreams then ever before.

At 18 years old, I am finally, obviously, an adult. This title comes with a bunch of new responsibilities and differences, but the most poignant change for me will be moving away from home. I will be leaving for an out of state college in late August or early September. It currently looks like I will be attending my dream school, the University of Michigan. This means moving to an entire different state, living with a stranger and accommodating to a completely new environment. This immense change was really brought to my attention and became a lot more real upon turning 18. However, unlike I would’ve been last year, I’m actually completely ready. I cannot wait for the day where I can finally be surrounded by people who are as invested in theatre and writing as I am. I’m ready to learn how to be successful but also how to live for the most part on my own.  

This past birthday I felt a strange sense of acceptance that I hadn’t felt before. Instead of feeling panicky or worried about becoming older, I felt content. I am confident that at the age of 18, I’m still young enough to find a direction while being old enough to make my own decisions. For most, turning 18 indicates adulthood and being able to handle a multitude of new things, for me it indicates embracing my future full fledgedly for the first time.