TURNING 20

TURNING 20

Written by: Lester Janz F. Dela Cruz

As my age starts to add up, the more I realize how time flies so fast! The next thing I knew is that I am now starting to count on the twentieth mark and just like every other teenager, there is this feeling of anxiety. The fear of growing old and the need to be ready for the responsibilities that life is going to throw at you. No more playing games or being silly! But I figured out that we should not face it that way. So here are a few thoughts on adulthood.  

It isn’t something to be Afraid of

Being an adult is opens a door for new possibilities. You are now allowed to do and have things that you were not allowed before such as having drinks, partying with friends, staying up late, travelling alone and so much more! And as time goes by, you will start to wander about the meaning of life and figure out which path you would want to take. It might be one of the hardest quest as an adult and it might even take a long time to search for that meaning but trust me, once you have found yours, it will be one of the most enlightening moments of your life.

But then of course, the Sun is not always shining, there are days where we don’t really feel our best. The feeling of stagnation and not achieving the goals you have set in life might leave you frustrated and anxious. Times in which we will compare our lives to other people and figure out why things are working out for them and not for you. And then you start question everything. This is a feeling that most people are afraid of when they start growing up. Overthinking and negativity. That mindset would not help us at all! Always remember, we all have our own time in the spotlight, it might not be for now but rest assured, once you know what you got to do, things will perfectly fall into place. You thought others figured it out but they actually don’t. We are all in the process of trying to navigate this world that we live in. Just take it easy!

A Learning Process

While in this journey of venturing into becoming a full pledged adult, there are definitely times in which you will found yourself between a rock and a hard place. During those situations, make sure to take a pause and ask yourself why you are there in the first place. Reflect on your actions. Turn your mistake into a learning experience to gain something from it and never let defeat or failure demotivate your way into success, instead use it as a fuel to thrive even harder to reach your goals. I am sure that the wisdom that gained from those experiences and will help one to be a better individual not just for their sake but for others as well.

Living a Happy Life

Being happy is one of the greatest quests in life. Achieving genuine and real happiness is one of the greatest moments that one could ever feel. The question is what would truly make us happy? Is it money, fame and wealth?

Recent studies show that people who tend to focus more on the intrinsic values of life which tackles helping people, building relationships, and strengthening your spirituality is a key for achieving genuine happiness rather than life’s extrinsic values. Focusing on these values means that you are pouring your energy into building a strong mental and emotional foundation. But this does not mean that we should quit our job and stop earning money! Those things are essential in survival nowadays, and without it, you will probably end up in the streets! What I am saying is that we should work on both intrinsic and extrinsic values of life but we must put emphasis on the first one and less on the latter, in that way, we could achieve balance.

Age is Just a Number

At the end of the day, age is just a number. It is up to you to decide when you will embrace adulthood. Always remember that you are here in world for a reason. Life might be a long and difficult journey, but it should never stop us from living a meaning and wonderful life. Our journey is one of the most valuable things that we will experience, for it will teach us a lot about the wonders of the world we are living in.