I always figured the "depressing" birthdays - like when I turned 30 and 40 - would be when I would freak about my life accomplishments, or lack there of.
But not at the age of 23.
Tuesday is my birthday and even though turning 23 is by no means a milestone, it has caused me to stop and reflect on my life thus far.
While a lot of my friends just graduated and are moving away for their new grown-up jobs, I'm actually preparing to move in with my mom at the end of the month and to start my fifth fall semester at Ball State.
I've made several self-deprecating jokes about the situation, but the reality is I'm moving in with my mom to save money, and going an extra semester in college is normal.
But it still got me thinking.
This isn't how I pictured my life to be at this stage, but my birthday is a good reminder to reflect and learn from the choices I've made so far - the good and the bad.
I've realized I've made mistakes. But I've also accomplished a lot.
Those two realizations are worth knowing.
College students are known for living in the moment and being somewhat green to the real world, even though we should be preparing for adulthood. We sometimes don't realize the consequences of our actions until it's too late and then we don't know how to handle it.
But it's important for students to take a break every now and then and evaluate their lives. What have been the peaks? What have been the pits? How did I get here and what can I do to improve?
I know where I've messed up and I know where I've succeeded. There are gray areas, too, and realizing that will help guide me in the future.
For the first time, I don't know what is going to happen next in my life. I've already started making choices regarding my life post-Ball State, and it's not going to get any easier any time soon.
My situation isn't ideal, but pretty soon I'm going to be a doe-eyed college graduate trying to make it in the world.
And thanks to my 23rd birthday, I have a better idea of what I want in life.
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