It is Time to Grow up

Growing Up, Taking Responsibility, and Living with Intention

Today, I want to talk about something that’s been weighing on my mind lately—growing up, taking responsibility, and what it means to really start living with intention. The year is 2024, and I’m 28 years old. I’ve got a solid job, great benefits, and a pretty decent life, but there’s something about getting older that forces you to start looking at the things you’ve been avoiding. For me, one of those things is drinking.

Anyone who knows me knows I’ve always been the party guy. The one my friends would call when they wanted to hit the bar or go out drinking. I’ve always had a pretty good relationship with alcohol. I don’t do anything embarrassing, and most times, I’m able to keep my cool. But recently, I had one of those nights that made me stop and think: What the hell am I doing?

A few weeks ago, I blacked out at a wedding. Thankfully, nothing crazy happened. I didn’t make a fool of myself or do anything I regretted. But when I woke up the next day, I had that familiar sense of dread. Not just from the hangover, but from the thought of what could’ve happened. It made me realize this isn’t just about one night. This is about a pattern I’ve been stuck in.

I’m not one of those people who thinks alcohol is inherently bad, but at 28, it’s becoming clear: getting blackout drunk several times a year isn’t normal. And it’s not something I want to keep doing. Now, I’m not saying I’m never going to drink again, but I’m definitely changing my approach. I’m growing up, and for the first time, I’m starting to be really honest with myself about it.

A Family History That Hits Close to Home

Here’s the thing: my grandfather, who passed away long before I was born, had a pretty rough relationship with alcohol. He wasn’t a great guy—he’d go on long benders, leaving his wife and kids behind, only to crawl back when it was all over. Eventually, it caught up with him. He died young, and that’s something I’ve always been aware of, even if I didn’t fully grasp the impact until recently.

I don’t have that addictive personality trait that he did, but I’ve seen the effects of alcohol and bad habits in my family. And that’s something I want to avoid. I’m 28 now. I’m an adult. And it’s time to take responsibility for my actions.

Leveling Up for 2025

2025 is going to be the year I get serious. Not just about drinking less, but about leveling up in every area of my life. I want to be more responsible with my finances, more productive in my daily life, and stop wasting so much time on things that hold me back, like playing video games and procrastinating on responsibilities. These are the things that get in the way of real progress, and I’m done using them as distractions.

Part of growing up is realizing where you’re falling short and taking steps to fix those flaws. Right now, I’m sitting between two worlds—half my friends are getting married, having kids, and settling down. The other half? They still want to go out every weekend, drink until they can’t remember their names, and party like it’s high school again. And honestly? I’m caught in the middle. I’ve got goals I set for myself back in high school—things I wanted to achieve by this age—and I’m not where I thought I’d be.

High School Me Would Expect Better

If high school me could see me now, I know he’d be proud of some things, but there’d also be a lot of disappointment. And I don’t want to keep disappointing myself. The clock is ticking. I’ve got less than two years before my 10-year high school reunion, and I’m not trying to show up as the same guy who’s still getting blacked out drunk and living like it’s 2014.

Now, I know some people say you shouldn’t care about what others think, and yeah, that’s true to an extent. But I’m also human, and I don’t want to be remembered as the guy who never grew up. You want to make an impact; you want to leave a legacy that people remember for the right reasons.

Your 10% Better

So, if you’re reading this and you’re in a similar place, maybe you drink a little too much, maybe you’re not where you thought you’d be, or maybe you just need that push to make a change—let this be your sign. You don’t have to make drastic changes overnight, but just do 10% better next year. Focus on one small habit at a time. Whether it’s drinking less, hitting the gym more, being more productive, or even just cutting out one time-wasting habit, that 10% improvement will make a world of difference.

Growing up isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. Here’s to being intentional, taking responsibility, and becoming the best versions of ourselves in 2025. it is time to grow up!