Hey Life, I Think I'm A Grown Up Now??

I recently turned 21- a big deal to those under the age of 21. I spent the subsequent months tossing back shots of freedom and regurgitating statements of independence. Legally, I can now do pretty much everything...with I think the exception of renting a car. The relationship between my parents and I has shifted from parent-child to friends. The only problem is that no one warned me about the downside of all this freedom. I am now solely responsible for every decision that I make. If for some reason I make a wrong one, the blame can only be placed on me (kind of a scary feeling). I have also felt a strange shift in my relationship with my Mom. What once was completely normal telling her everything and all the gory details, now seems that I should learn to keep some personal details to myself; to make my own decisions based only on my own perspectives. Feeling all that responsiblity has somehow lead to asking hundreds of opinions on any remotely big issue, which if you have ever done, is entirely paralyzing. In thinking about this the other day, it made me smile at the ironic nature of life. An event that one thinks will bring whole freedom can simultaneously bring more challenges and pressures. The transitional, even paradoxical nature of life helps to keep me smiling :)