Diary of a Gen Z Student: It's my 21st birthday party and I'll complain if I want to

Turning 21 should be a celebration, but for me, it's a high-pressure spectacle of cake, candles, and awkward serenades I’d rather avoid

Jane Cowan: 'I’ll be turning 21 next week. It’s not that I’m not looking forward to it. But I would be lying if I said I was enthused by the idea of it'. Picture: Barry Cronin

I recently found myself in the depths of the Cowan family archives looking at photos and videos from my childhood. It’s funny to recognise parts of your personality peaking through in a video taken before you could tie your own shoelaces. But that’s what I was watching. White blond ringlets on my head, fully clad in pink, stomping around the house with a handbag. 

One particular video was taken on my third birthday. I’m watch TV in the living room with my grandad. My mother starts filming from the hallway, singing happy birthday as she walks into the room. I’m three, so don’t possess much in the way of cat-like reflexes. As I realise what’s happening, I throw those ringlets down onto a pillow beside me and pretend to sleep. Apparently, I didn’t much enjoy being serenaded at that age. And not much has changed over the years.