Adulting
adult·ing
noun
the practice of behaving in a way characteristic of a responsible adult, especially the accomplishment of mundane but necessary tasks.
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In my 24 years of life, I have learned one thing for certain: “adulting” is not easy. In fact, adulting can be scary and sometimes overwhelming. Most of us are not taught the crucial elements needed to master the art of adulting. In school the curriculum neglects to teach us how to pay taxes, invest, deal with health insurance, etc. And if you aren’t lucky enough to come from a household with parents who have real-world experience and helpful life advice to offer… You might find yourself in a position where adulting seems near impossible.
Now would be the perfect time to applaud all the adults out there, you guys are crushing it.
In a survey featured on Forbes it is reported that more than ever, people in their 20s and 30s are having trouble adulting. This survey also highlights how most respondents said they weren’t “life ready” upon graduating from high school or college and 40% said college didn’t prepare them for the real world.
None of this information came as a shock to me. So how can we practice adulting successfully?
You truthfully only have one option: fake it till you make it.
In a survey featured on Forbes…
40% of respondents said college didn’t prepare them for the real world.
After high school/college most people enter the workforce and experience the beginning phases of adulting. During this pivotal time, the “fake it till you make it” phrase comes heavily into play. As you start apartment hunting and figuring out how to pay bills, remember that every adult started right where you are. With that in mind it’s easier to dive straight into it and keep a confident & calm demeanor as you begin to figure it all out!
There are several ways to combat the stresses that might arise with having to support yourself as you begin adulting.
Here are my top tips to help stay afloat during this transitional period:
1) Breathe. Believe me, I need to hear this one as much as you. Remember that you are allowed to make mistakes in the world of adulting, and that mistakes are totally okay. You learn and grow from them and if you breathe along the way, the journey will be much smoother.
2) Save as much as you can and educate yourself about finances. Whether you ask your parents or the internet, financial information is out there that you can absorb. This knowledge will help set you up for success!
3) Don’t compare yourself to others. We are all moving at different speeds, and that’s perfectly normal. Some of our friends from high school are married AND have babies while some of us are grinding away at our jobs and figuring out who we are. It’s important that no matter which route you take you don’t compare yourself to others.
4) Take care of your mental and physical health. Prioritizing your overall health through mediation, exercise, and a balanced diet will help with your overall well-being as you begin the adulting process.
5) Set healthy boundaries. This is easier said than done. But remember to protect your energy in your early adult years. This will set the tone for the rest of your life.
6) Learn what you are passionate about and make it a point to follow those passions outside of your career (much like I am doing with The Checkered Jaguar). Find things that bring you joy. Whether it’s painting, singing, reading, writing, or simply being out in nature… You owe it to yourself to find ways to “fill your bucket” outside of your work environment.
7) Learn what self-care looks like for you and make it a point to practice it. Hone in on what makes you feel cared for. Give yourself permission to slow down admits the chaos and focus on prioritizing your needs.
8) Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Start by taking calculated risks that can help jumpstart your career! Be bold and most importantly be brave.
9) Ask for help when you need it. You can’t conquer adulting solely on your own. Humble yourself enough to come to people you admire, like your parents or mentors, and ask them for guidance where it is needed.
10) Trust your gut in relationships. In your early adulting years you will encounter all different types of relationships, romantic and professional. It’s important to listen to your core intuition when it comes to these relationships. Trust that you know deep down if a relationship is good for you. And if it isn’t good for you, GTFO.
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I have so much to learn about adulting still. I feel immense gratitude that I can come to my parents for advice or guidance along the way… but there will always be obstacles to overcome and things to learn/grow from on my own.
I believe in our generation! We can conquer adulting.
To help make transitioning into adulthood easier, I believe that having more conversations surrounding finances, health insurance, etc. would be a step in the right direction. Let this blog post be your starting point! Hopefully the wheels are starting to turn, and you are one step closer to having conversations with your parents/mentors that will help ease your transition into adulthood.