Turning 18 .✨🎈🎈🎈✨
Turning 18 is definitely a big milestone. In many countries it marks the official start of adulthood, at least in the eyes of the law. You can vote, sign legal documents, open a bank account in your name, and make your own medical decisions. It's a lot of responsibility all at once, and for many people, it can feel both exciting and overwhelming.
One of the strangest things about turning 18 is how it doesn’t actually feel any different, at least at first. You wake up on the morning of your birthday and then remember . . I am 18!!!
You’re still the same person you were the day before, but suddenly, the world treats you differently. Expectations shift. People assume you know how to handle things like college, university, finances, insurance, or job application - even if no one ever really taught you how.
It raises a lot of questions:
Are you looking forward to being 18?
What in particular are you thinking about, looking forward to or worrying about?
And then . . .
Do you feel more independent now that you're 18?
Has anything in your day-to-day life changed, or does it all still feel the same?
What’s been the hardest adjustment so far?
Are there things you’re excited to do now that you legally can?
Aging into adulthood isn’t something that happens all at once. It’s more of a gradual process of learning, making mistakes, and figuring out who you want to be. Any ideas so far?
In Twilight Eclipse there is a great scene at graduation where Jessica makes a speech:-
“When we were five, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. Our answers were things like, Astronaut, President or in my case, a Princess. When we were ten, they asked again. We answered rock star, cowboy or in my case, a gold medalist. But now that we’ve grown up, they wanted a serious answer. Well, how about this - who the *** knows? This isn’t the time to make hard and fast decisions, this is the time to make mistakes. Take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere. Fall in love – a lot. Major in Philosophy because there is no way to make a career out of that. Change your mind and change it again because nothing’s permanent. So make as many mistakes as you can. That way someday when they asked what we wanna be, we won’t have to guess – we’ll know.”
What do you think?
At 7 Cups we have a team of mentors waiting to help you age up and understand the changes that happen here. Just fill in this form and one of our Teen Transition Mentors will reach out to you!
But also if you have aged up what about applying to join our Team? More Information here
Tagging some people that might be interested
@Anycat @Eitas @Amy @Mel @braveForest7977 @AleeSwan @andrewtan99 @Beeyoolee0001 @lilblueboat81 @TheCrew4887 @Michelle228 @Kayleethecatlover @helianthus19 @BlackBlueWhitr @TommyTuckwellOfficial @phoenixqt22 @Mintchoocchip @jaboo @MagneticWaterfall @ConnieVisuals @wishfulWillow7295 @itmaybeebailey @Aninfp @happinesstojoy @Orangewater710 @prekshilicious @Livelaughlove89 @NobleSeeker @courteousBlueberry792 @nicorose @zealousRainbow9106 @alexlemon @VioletNotes @soulsings @Asilentobserver @Hope @Hopedreamlove @Suryansh @MistyMagic
@MistyMagic
Hello misty ✨
Thank you for tagging me here, I was interested and reading this was so meaningful for me. After talking about ageing up with so many people, still sometimes I feel like the first place, but on top of everything, I feel I'm ready after requesting an teen translation mentor. Thank you mistiy and every one else that helped me cope with this sea of emotions about turning 18.🌱💐🍃
@NobleSeeker Heyyyy, great to see you here! It was a wonderful learning experience for me to go through things with you too. I am glad that we helped.
@MistyMagic one of the things I am learning is that many teens aging up are anxious about what to expect on the 18+ side. A lot is the same and there are some very supportive places after aging up. I think one of the areas that helps is to have an ATL "buddy" and to find other teens that aged up. Some of he forums are also a way that you can run into teens you knew.
@soulsings hey! Yes. You are so right the forums are a great asset and this Aging Up community here is great. I urge everyone to subscribe - click Join - above if they haven't already so they get notifications.
@MistyMagic
I really appreciate you including that speech quote – it's such a great reminder that it's okay to not have all the answers right now and to embrace the journey of figuring things out. Thanks for sharing your reflections and opening up this important conversation <3
@Heather225 Yes I love that speech too, I found it on You Tube https://youtu.be/dV2fQ8ltWGw?si=aDJiQWC2yg11OSXo which has more impact, by Anna Kendricks.
@MistyMagic
Hello Misty. I just turned 18 a few months back and I joined 7 Cups as a member one month ago. I have talked to some listeners here and most of them are in their twenties or above. Besides there are only communities for 20 and above individuals.
So, I really don't find that kind of support and care I am looking for here. Talking to listeners and members who have just turned 18 or are in the age range of 18-19 would have been good. But sadly, I don't find anyone here belonging to this age group.
This phase of becoming a new adult is really difficult as suddenly we are entrusted with these responsibilities, duties and obligations and can't really be our old teen selves anymore. At least for me, I don't really find myself fitting in anywhere.
Neither the teen side as I am already 18 nor the adult side as I can't relate to them. A separate space for listeners and members who have just turned 18 or are 18-19 would have been really good for us to feel heard and understood.
I really hope my words are looked into.
@ShadowBeing
Hello there shadow, welcome to 7 cups 🌱
I am 17, so maybe I can't understand you completely, but I wanted to say I'm here for you.
When I joined I was 16 and almost most teens were younger than me by years. It felt like their in another world.
The sence of not fitting in was so strong, I was feeling like an adult among teens.
But it only took me some time to find good friends near my age here. People who are about few months older/younger than me who understands me.
You are exploring a big part of your journey, i give you my best wishes through it. I hope things get better soon.
I hope you find this helpful. You're voice & feelings matter.
@NobleSeeker Thanks for being so supportive and kind, and adding in your views :)
@ShadowBeing Hi there! Welcome!
! am so pleased that you came and posted here to let us know your experience. You have highlighted an area that I am sure we can do better at providing support for. I have to agree that having a community called '20 & Over' does seem a little unwelcoming as it might appear to exclude 18 and 19 year olds. Of course anyone 18 & Over is welcome in any of the communities whether that is called '20 & Over', '35 & Over', or '50 & Over'! But point taken and I will tag our community admins @Heather225 @ASilentObserver @CheeryMango @tommy to let them know your point.
As a new member you wouldn't be expected to know about this project or the support that we do proudly offer to 17 and 18 year olds.
We have a team of Teen Transition Mentors who can be requested via this form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfed4W09cnD4vPH09z7GRdrs64Jlu_qzavj6DHRF9oWGEFT5Q/viewform One of the mentors will respond to the request and help support and signpost resources and information about the whole process of transitioning from the teen side of 7 Cups (13-17 years old for members, and 15-17 for listeners) to the adult side. As a new eighteen year old you too can make a request.
Same. Turning 18.
@andrewtan99 Hey! Great to see you here, it is such an exciting time! You can apply for a teen transitions mentor using this form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfed4W09cnD4vPH09z7GRdrs64Jlu_qzavj6DHRF9oWGEFT5Q/viewform
@CozyCat8507 tagging you! It would be great to hear your views to these questions as a new 18 year old!
Do you feel more independent now that you're 18?
Has anything in your day-to-day life changed, or does it all still feel the same?
What’s been the hardest adjustment so far?
Are there things you’re excited to do now that you legally can?
Aging into adulthood isn’t something that happens all at once. It’s more of a gradual process of learning, making mistakes, and figuring out who you want to be. Any ideas so far?
In Twilight Eclipse there is a great scene at graduation where Jessica makes a speech:-
“When we were five, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. Our answers were things like, Astronaut, President or in my case, a Princess. When we were ten, they asked again. We answered rock star, cowboy or in my case, a gold medalist. But now that we’ve grown up, they wanted a serious answer. Well, how about this - who the *** knows? This isn’t the time to make hard and fast decisions, this is the time to make mistakes. Take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere. Fall in love – a lot. Major in Philosophy because there is no way to make a career out of that. Change your mind and change it again because nothing’s permanent. So make as many mistakes as you can. That way someday when they asked what we wanna be, we won’t have to guess – we’ll know.”
What do you think?
Thank you for tagging me here @MistyMagic 💛
Well, at the moment, there's isn't really a feeling of things suddenly changed because I got older, everything is pretty much the same (except school, cause study leave started on my birthday so I'm not required to go to school every day even though I still do). And for what I'm excited to do, hmm... I could only think of actually learning how to drive (yea I am able to do that at 17, but wasn't sure about that), that could be something to look forward to :)
But this will be the opposite when I enter university (which will be soon), so that will be the actual big change. New place, people, routine and all, and that will definitely take some time to adjust to especially living by myself (maybe with a room mate though).
And for what I think about Jessica's speech, I do have to agree. Since from I was young the dream job I wanted to have has always stayed the same, but until the last year, it had changed a 180, and it may changed drastically in the future, who knows🙃? But yea, it's all about the process, cause if you only focus on the result that 'yea I will be that some day' it's a good thought, but might cause some discouragements along the way, so I'll just achieve one small thing at a time and gradually succeed in the ultimate goal :) (hmmm... kinda side tracked, oh well)
As for conclusion, we'll just have to see what happens and focus on the present by doing our best! 💛
Cozycat :3
@CozyCat8507 Learning to drive wheeeeee! that is huge fun, I loved it! I am sure you will too.
But you are right, the day of your 18th birthday comes and there is so much excitement and then . . . just another day? We need one of those films where fireworks go off in all the gardens and there are balloons and those party poppers all along the street too lol
