When I Was 18
Hey You,
Isn't it crazy how time flies by so fast? In the blink of an eye, six years have passed. When you're a kid, you think you have all the time in the world. You have a lot of free time to do as you feel and not have to worry about anything that will stress you out.
When I was 18, I had just started college. I graduated in the year 2014, a year early, when I was 17. I had such an amazing plan that I thought I was going to follow through with. The initial plan was because I had graduated a year early, I was able to start college a year earlier than expected as well and get ahead of the game. I did the math and if I were to stay in school, I would have my Associate's Degree when I turned 22 years old- my birthday is in October so I turned 18 the year I graduated from high school. I wanted to do two years at a community college to save money, taking the basic classes that were needed. Then I would do another two years in Korea- where at the same time, I'd be teaching English since they provide lodging for free. If I were to finish my Associates in Korea, I would then aim for my Master's Degree in Canada since they have an amazing Business/Law school.
Everything had changed the moment I turned 18. I had just start my first semester at a community college. I had no money saved up and I felt so naked in the real world. I felt young and unprepared for what was yet to come. After I graduated high school, I moved out of my aunt's house into my first very own apartment. I can still remember the feeling of joy I felt as I signed the lease and got the keys. It was a feeling of independence and freedom.
Everyone as a young adult wants to get out of the house and move away from their parents. They get tired of the constant nagging and all they want to do is hang out with friends- doing whatever they want. As I get older, I wish I had the ability to stay at home. I wish I actually listened to the nagging, the tips, the advice. Adults tell you these things for a reason. They always want whats best for you and they never want you to go through what they did. They don't want to see you suffer.
When I was 18, I was managing/bartending at a sushi restaurant and going to school full-time. Because I made money every night, I was constantly spending it as well too. My thinking was always "Well, I have $400, what can I buy or spend it on". I never thought about saving up because in my mind, I thought "What for?" and "Eh, I'll save when I get older". Did you know if I saved $400 every month from the age of 18 until now, I would have approximately $19,200. That's only four years!
Dude. You're still young man. Stop wanting to grow up so fast. Stop disrespecting your parents and yelling back at them. Kids are so selfish and ungrateful. Parents go through so much for their kids and in the end, the kids end up leaving them. From the minute you are born to the moment you move out of the house, your parents provide for you. Constant days of struggling to pay rent, finding what food to eat, making sure the bills are paid of time, hoping you have enough clothes to wear to school. I feel like the only reason parents are ever harsh on you is because they see so much potential in you and would hate to see it go to waste.
When I was 18, I had a hard time figuring out what I wanted and who I was. I never really understood life- and now that I was a young adult, I was slowly learning how to manage my money along with understanding life itself. From age 18 to 21, I struggled with my inner self because my focus was always elsewhere- whether it'd be friends, relationships, or work, I just never had time for myself to discover who I was. I surrounded myself with people who did nothing but party on the weekends and sleep in until 2pm everyday. I never saw what I was doing wrong even though it was right in front of me. I tried so hard to fit into a crowd that I was never meant to be in. You know how in high school, the "nerds" who would try to hang out with the "popular" kids? It just never worked. My mental state was on a level much higher than the people I was surrounding myself with. While everyone was wondering what club to go to on the weekends, I was thinking how I could afford to buy a house. While my "friends" were going to pool parties on Sunday's, I was thinking to myself "how can I find a way to make an extra source of income apart from working all the time?. My thinking was always different. People were always wanting to live in the moment, but I wanted to live in the future.
I feel like every young adult struggles from the age of 18 to 21 mentally. I think most often times is because you're transitioning into an actual adult. No more school. Finally able to drink. Entering the real world of corporate companies and jobs. I never felt more alone that I did during those three years. I was distant from family and trying to handle bills alone on my own for the first time.
I even bought a car. A 2003 Honda Civic Coupe in the color silver with only 73,000 miles on. Thanks to my uncle who spent countless hours on Craigslist researching. For $3,500, she was mine. I remember decking out the handle wheel with a hello kitty cover and a cute bear bobble head in the middle of the dashboard- I even threw my graduation tassel over the rear view mirror to add a nice touch to the car. This was the year I did something for myself. To top it all off, I spent $10,000 of my very own money to get 8 teeth removed, including all of my wisdom teeth, and have braces put on. 'Mind you, I never went to the dentist in almost 12 years. I can't believe I'm telling you this, but I literally had nine cavities- in which, I had to get filled.
I was still me at 18. With my own apartment, my own car, my own life. Down the road, I soon lost who I was and my focus was engaged elsewhere.
To be continued..
Best,
Rose
Isn't it crazy how time flies by so fast? In the blink of an eye, six years have passed. When you're a kid, you think you have all the time in the world. You have a lot of free time to do as you feel and not have to worry about anything that will stress you out.
When I was 18, I had just started college. I graduated in the year 2014, a year early, when I was 17. I had such an amazing plan that I thought I was going to follow through with. The initial plan was because I had graduated a year early, I was able to start college a year earlier than expected as well and get ahead of the game. I did the math and if I were to stay in school, I would have my Associate's Degree when I turned 22 years old- my birthday is in October so I turned 18 the year I graduated from high school. I wanted to do two years at a community college to save money, taking the basic classes that were needed. Then I would do another two years in Korea- where at the same time, I'd be teaching English since they provide lodging for free. If I were to finish my Associates in Korea, I would then aim for my Master's Degree in Canada since they have an amazing Business/Law school.
Everything had changed the moment I turned 18. I had just start my first semester at a community college. I had no money saved up and I felt so naked in the real world. I felt young and unprepared for what was yet to come. After I graduated high school, I moved out of my aunt's house into my first very own apartment. I can still remember the feeling of joy I felt as I signed the lease and got the keys. It was a feeling of independence and freedom.
Everyone as a young adult wants to get out of the house and move away from their parents. They get tired of the constant nagging and all they want to do is hang out with friends- doing whatever they want. As I get older, I wish I had the ability to stay at home. I wish I actually listened to the nagging, the tips, the advice. Adults tell you these things for a reason. They always want whats best for you and they never want you to go through what they did. They don't want to see you suffer.
When I was 18, I was managing/bartending at a sushi restaurant and going to school full-time. Because I made money every night, I was constantly spending it as well too. My thinking was always "Well, I have $400, what can I buy or spend it on". I never thought about saving up because in my mind, I thought "What for?" and "Eh, I'll save when I get older". Did you know if I saved $400 every month from the age of 18 until now, I would have approximately $19,200. That's only four years!
Dude. You're still young man. Stop wanting to grow up so fast. Stop disrespecting your parents and yelling back at them. Kids are so selfish and ungrateful. Parents go through so much for their kids and in the end, the kids end up leaving them. From the minute you are born to the moment you move out of the house, your parents provide for you. Constant days of struggling to pay rent, finding what food to eat, making sure the bills are paid of time, hoping you have enough clothes to wear to school. I feel like the only reason parents are ever harsh on you is because they see so much potential in you and would hate to see it go to waste.
When I was 18, I had a hard time figuring out what I wanted and who I was. I never really understood life- and now that I was a young adult, I was slowly learning how to manage my money along with understanding life itself. From age 18 to 21, I struggled with my inner self because my focus was always elsewhere- whether it'd be friends, relationships, or work, I just never had time for myself to discover who I was. I surrounded myself with people who did nothing but party on the weekends and sleep in until 2pm everyday. I never saw what I was doing wrong even though it was right in front of me. I tried so hard to fit into a crowd that I was never meant to be in. You know how in high school, the "nerds" who would try to hang out with the "popular" kids? It just never worked. My mental state was on a level much higher than the people I was surrounding myself with. While everyone was wondering what club to go to on the weekends, I was thinking how I could afford to buy a house. While my "friends" were going to pool parties on Sunday's, I was thinking to myself "how can I find a way to make an extra source of income apart from working all the time?. My thinking was always different. People were always wanting to live in the moment, but I wanted to live in the future.
I feel like every young adult struggles from the age of 18 to 21 mentally. I think most often times is because you're transitioning into an actual adult. No more school. Finally able to drink. Entering the real world of corporate companies and jobs. I never felt more alone that I did during those three years. I was distant from family and trying to handle bills alone on my own for the first time.
I even bought a car. A 2003 Honda Civic Coupe in the color silver with only 73,000 miles on. Thanks to my uncle who spent countless hours on Craigslist researching. For $3,500, she was mine. I remember decking out the handle wheel with a hello kitty cover and a cute bear bobble head in the middle of the dashboard- I even threw my graduation tassel over the rear view mirror to add a nice touch to the car. This was the year I did something for myself. To top it all off, I spent $10,000 of my very own money to get 8 teeth removed, including all of my wisdom teeth, and have braces put on. 'Mind you, I never went to the dentist in almost 12 years. I can't believe I'm telling you this, but I literally had nine cavities- in which, I had to get filled.
I was still me at 18. With my own apartment, my own car, my own life. Down the road, I soon lost who I was and my focus was engaged elsewhere.
To be continued..
Best,
Rose
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