Today is my last day at age 22.  I feel like I am nearing a stable ledge and can finally take a second to glance down at what was a great challenging hike to this point on the mountain of my life.  At the risk of sounding overly dramatic about a seemingly insignificant birthday, I am surprised at my relief for age 22 to be over, closing that chapter, and starting over.  It’s been an intense year of hefty challenges, tough decisions, and powerful personal growth.

One morning shortly before my 22nd birthday, I woke up to my alarm clock at 6:30am in Naperville, IL.  Rather than hitting snooze like I would have done normally, I sat up in bed, threw on some shorts, and walked out onto the balcony of my friend’s apartment of which I had been sleeping on the couch for two weeks.  I had a feeling that it wasn’t going to be a normal day.  A week earlier I had given my two-week notice to the retched law firm that was stealing my soul and burning my heart into a small, black pile of ash mixed with horse shit and a pinch of anthrax.  While lighting a cigarette I made the decision not to go into work.  Instead, I filled my Jeep with everything that would fit and threw the rest into a storage unit down the street.  My time in Naperville was over and the thought of another dreadful day in that town full of heartache was too much!  I drove to the office of the evil law firm employer, dropped off my key and calmly explained that I was leaving and never coming back to this terrible place.  Then I skipped back to my Jeep, started the engine and drove to Cincinnati (I would have gone non-stop but Jeeps and gasoline are not very good friends).

Cincinnati was followed by a month long secluded retreat to a beach house in Key Largo, where I attempted to “find myself” without constructive results.  You know you’re troubled if beautiful ocean, Florida sunshine, warm breezes, and pure relaxation don’t help you.  I was lost.  I didn’t know myself anymore…IF I ever really knew myself to begin with.  I left Key Largo and had an epiphany on the plane (where I often have epiphanies).

Having slightly found myself on the plane from Florida, I landed in Chicago to meet up with Shawn for a long drive to Minneapolis, where I would be spending a few days soaking in a bath of Minnesota Nice, before going to 10,000 Lakes Music Festival in Detroit Lakes, MN.  I was eating a single slice of chocolate cake on my 22nd birthday, sitting in Minneapolis when I realized that I needed to grow up, something I had truly resisted until that day.  I smiled and accepted my fate that childhood was over.  The irresponsibility and goalless romp through day to day life was not as satisfying as it used to be a couple years ago.  I didn’t want to be 60 years old, slapping myself in the face for getting stuck in a ditch of relying on everyone to provide what I could not provide for myself.  That’s growing up in Drew’s book.

So, I did indeed freak out and have a quarter life crisis.  I am better for it.  In fact, I recommend having one to all of my friends.  To get started, ask yourself the following questions:
-          How many years ago were you 18 years old?
-          What the fuck are you doing with your life?
Some of you may answer those questions with ease (bitches).  However, for some of us, answering those questions may cause a domino effect which will change your life either for the better or worse.  Good luck.

For me, it was the best thing that could have happened.  A year later, I have a few goals, but more importantly I know myself well enough to see where I am leading my life.  I know what I want out of life.  I know what I can accomplish.  I love Miller Lite because it’s less filling.