I've always thought that the whole hype around turning 21 was a crock of bullshit; until, well, I turned 21.
Perhaps it's not the case for you - I don't know, but I can speak for myself when I say that things were a little different this year, and I'm not sure why. For starters, I started thinking more sensibly.
My parents actually told me to pick a gift for my 21st, and I ummed and ahhed about it for a couple of months and eventually gave up. Normally, I would've jumped at the chance to pick something -- oh, and I'd pick something really good.... *wink* -- but this year, there just wasn't anything that I wanted. I was really mostly happy that I got to spend time with my parents, while they were in Melbourne, and to just enjoy each other's company.
Turning 21 wasn't so much of a personal milestone as it was a testament of how blessed I've been to have such loving parents, and that's all I wanted from the day itself, I guess. I still haven't picked a gift yet, and frankly I'm not sure if I ever will - I haven't found a bag out there or a pair of shoes that fills me with the kind of contentment that being with family brings, and I'm just at this point where I don't feel like I need anything more. I feel like I'm in a really good place right now, and I just kind of want to let it sink in a bit.
I've always managed my finances reasonably well, but this year I wanted more: I wanted to find out about investments - how to invest, what to invest in, and maybe getting a basic understanding of how to become financially independent. Financial independence is such an important issue, and yet it's an issue that still isn't addressed enough to women. Most women's idea of financial stability is to pray they'll marry a man who can manage these things and hope for the best. But that's just not enough - not for a woman, in this day and age.
So where does one learn these things?! Is it time to pick up a copy of Personal Finance for Dummies?
Are there any other women out there who feel the same? Let's share resources, if you know of any.
Perhaps it's not so much the age itself, of being 21, as it is the knowledge that I'll soon be growing up, and getting a job, where I will be expected to get my shit together and act like an adult.
So here I stand: not quite a girl, and not yet a woman...on the cusp of adulthood; and guess what?
I am so excited for all that's to come.
xx
Follow me on Instagram: @paintingrachelred for more updates.
Perhaps it's not the case for you - I don't know, but I can speak for myself when I say that things were a little different this year, and I'm not sure why. For starters, I started thinking more sensibly.
My parents actually told me to pick a gift for my 21st, and I ummed and ahhed about it for a couple of months and eventually gave up. Normally, I would've jumped at the chance to pick something -- oh, and I'd pick something really good.... *wink* -- but this year, there just wasn't anything that I wanted. I was really mostly happy that I got to spend time with my parents, while they were in Melbourne, and to just enjoy each other's company.
Turning 21 wasn't so much of a personal milestone as it was a testament of how blessed I've been to have such loving parents, and that's all I wanted from the day itself, I guess. I still haven't picked a gift yet, and frankly I'm not sure if I ever will - I haven't found a bag out there or a pair of shoes that fills me with the kind of contentment that being with family brings, and I'm just at this point where I don't feel like I need anything more. I feel like I'm in a really good place right now, and I just kind of want to let it sink in a bit.
I've always managed my finances reasonably well, but this year I wanted more: I wanted to find out about investments - how to invest, what to invest in, and maybe getting a basic understanding of how to become financially independent. Financial independence is such an important issue, and yet it's an issue that still isn't addressed enough to women. Most women's idea of financial stability is to pray they'll marry a man who can manage these things and hope for the best. But that's just not enough - not for a woman, in this day and age.
So where does one learn these things?! Is it time to pick up a copy of Personal Finance for Dummies?
Are there any other women out there who feel the same? Let's share resources, if you know of any.
Perhaps it's not so much the age itself, of being 21, as it is the knowledge that I'll soon be growing up, and getting a job, where I will be expected to get my shit together and act like an adult.
So here I stand: not quite a girl, and not yet a woman...on the cusp of adulthood; and guess what?
I am so excited for all that's to come.
xx
Follow me on Instagram: @paintingrachelred for more updates.