“I can’t wait to be out of this house!”
Sound familiar?? Of course it does! I’m quite sure the majority of youth have had this thought on more than one occasion. I was so ready to move out that my idea of life “on my own” was jaded by the romanticized portrayal of “the good life”. Of course, once I moved out life was going to be so much easier! I’d be able to do what I want when I want to do it. . . Reality soon snatched me back to Earth.
I never imagined that after living my dream for a semester, my life would be reduced to public libraries and absolute boredom. After I was forced to leave New York, I spent the majority of my time searching for work and trying to get back in school. So far, I’ve had no luck finding a job. Life away from mom isn’t as great as the movies make it seem. Nobody ever taught me how to be an adult, and I personally feel that it should come with a how-to manual! I’ve been eighteen for only seven months, and already I’ve had to deal with hospital bills, homelessness and identity theft. Now I’m so far in debt that I’m at a loss for what to do next!
Instead of fun fun fun, I’m left with emotional breakdowns and a recurring feeling of hopelessness. My summer will be spent teaching an acting class, working (prayerfully) and preparing to go back to school. It hurts me to say this, but…mom was right. About everything. A word of advice, listen to your parents/guardians, they know what they’re talking about usually. College is fun, but there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with growing up. It isn’t all fun and games. It’s like they say, “Life is like a box of chocolates”. Every time you make a choice you’re taking a risk. Either you’re going to like it or you won’t, but the risk is always worth taking. Yeah, I’m struggling right now, but I know that it’ll all pay off. Expect to struggle. Expect not to get it right the first time…Nobody does. You may have chosen the wrong school or the wrong major, you may get involved with the wrong crowd, but everything is a learning experience. This time, when I get to New York, I’ll do it right. Life is a gamble. Every day there’s the chance that you may lose it all… but there’s also a chance for exponential success!
No matter what happens, who gets in your way or how long it takes, don’t ever give up. Because that’s when you lose.
~Darius A. Journigan