I understood this when I was 21. Then, I transformed to the opposite of my irresponsible free spirit to a planning and committing person. I literally took every responsibility that was thrown at me. I tried to make a family, almost proposed, but things ended. I built my life one by one, planning my 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years and 10 years. I learned one thing that it never goes as you plan. But if you stick to the principles and a general target, you finally reach it.
Life is not what comes at you. Life is what you make out of it. Thanks for such a beautiful article, Tom. I believe that after this article, there will be youngsters that snap out of their situation, and start commiting to something/someone and taking responsibilities.