4 Most Fulfilling Ways to Celebrate Your 21st Birthday

In many cultures, the 21^st birthday is the first step in adulthood. At this age, you don’t need to abide by a lot of restrictions imposed by society, and contrary to popular belief, there’s no one way of celebrating this special occasion, and it’s not just with alcohol!

Here are some ideas to kick-start your adventure to adulthood.

Traveling

Although you can travel at any age, 21 is a good time to go on long travels on your own. Throwing yourself in an unfamiliar place is absolutely liberating, and independence will also bring out some skills that you never thought you possessed.

Colmar in Alsace, South of France is a fairy tale setting.

Photo via Pascallj on Flickr

Traveling outside the country is a big step but if you can’t afford it (yet), drive to the nearest state you’ve never been to.

Giving Back

Part of adulthood is tapping into your potential to help others and make a difference in the world. For your 21^st birthday, choose a charity or cause close to your heart and determine how you can contribute.

Outside the TV Show Suits, Meghan Markle makes time for charity work across the globe.

Photo via Daily Mirror

It doesn’t have to be a financial contribution. Sometimes, your time and helping hands are far more valuable than any amount of money. Only give help that you can sustain. Better a modest but continuous contribution than one grand gesture that will leave you helpless and unable to give back again. Allocating time and resources is part of adulthood, too.

Try Something New and Exciting

Exciting can mean anything. It can also mean something that scares you. Sky diving? Theater classes? Boot camp of any skill? It’s really up to you.

Ever wondered what it’s like to do a circus act? Maybe your 21^st birthday is the perfect time to find out.

Photo via Dabble

 

At 21, you’re old enough to decide on things but at the same time, young enough to take risks. They have to be smart risks, of course. Should you fail, remember, that this is the age where any regret is a valuable lesson. So don’t be scared if anything goes wrong. Give yourself the gift of risk.

Visit Your Roots

To be an adult is to embrace your past – the highs and the lows. Take a stroll down memory lane and pay your grandparents a visit. Spend your birthday with them and allow them to astonish you with stories of their past and how your family came to be.

Selfies and stories with grampy.

Photo via Wimp

Better yet, if a part of your heritage belongs to another state, why don’t you travel there? Refer to suggestion number 1 and it's hitting two birds with one stone.

Your past, in ways that you may or may not be aware of, is a factor of who you are today.

Host Your Own Party

Organize your own party – from the venue to the menu, theme, and guest list! Hosting your own party is all sorts of fun. Something can go wrong along the way, but that’s part of adulthood too! Making your own decisions on big and small things reaffirms your transition into the real world.

Even if it’s a bit of work, don’t forget to have fun doing it! Be proud of turning 21 with this sash and crown set.

At this age, you’re ready to take on the world, and the world is just as ready for you!