Technically speaking, at the age of 18 we are legal adults. Well, I am now 21, and let me tell you I do not feel the slightest bit like an adult. I can take care of myself in the basic areas, but my parents support me financially, and every now and then they still have to step in and “parent” me. So, no, I do not really consider myself an adult, despite the fact that I can legally do pretty much every adult thing there is. However, there are a few things that I do, or that happen, that really make me step back and realize that I am well on my way to being a real grownup with real responsibilities other than getting myself to class and forcing myself to eat something other than Chick-fil-A for every meal.

These things can be small and are likely insignificant, like everyday things in the lives of real grownups. But for those of us who would only really survive a maximum without some support of our parents they can be real signs of growing up.

1. You make your own appointments. In the past, your parents made sure you saw a doctor when you were sick or regularly saw a dentist, or picked up your prescriptions for you. But, now, you do that on your own. Look at you, so responsible.

2. You make yourself a real meal and eat all the vegetables, even though no one would know if you skipped straight to desert.

3. You get yourself to bed at a decent hour. Netflix can wait.

4. You wake up on time. Who are you supposed to ask for “five more minutes?” 

5. Your high school classmates are getting engaged and married. I guess weddings are a good place to get free drinks, right?

6. Your high school classmates are having kids. Ha! You can barely take care of yourself and maybe a beta fish, let alone another human.

7. You drink real wine (not out of a box) at a nice restaurant (legally) with your parents. This can be awesome, also they pick up the bill so that is a win.

8. You choose to stay in one night to “save money.” Like, who are you? Practically a real grown up, now.

9. You get called “ma’am” or “sir” and, yes, it makes you feel old, but you also kind of like it.

10. You buy the healthy cereal that is good for you, instead of Lucky Charms. Well, most of the time.

So while these all might seem like very small, minute accomplishments you should still be kind of proud. Every day you are one step closer to being a real grown up,  and as terrifying as it sounds, you will be ready when the time comes. So, until then, do not worry that you do not really have any thing together or that your life is a little bit in shambles. When it comes to being a real grown up, fake it till ‘ya make it.