We all grow up imagining The Day We Become An Adult. For most of us, this fantasy happens when you turn 18 or 21. Some of us picture smoking or drinking legally, going out to clubs or traveling the world. Others fantasize about getting married and having children. No matter what the end result is, we often assumed when we were younger that we'd hit these milestones and suddenly just know that we were an adult. But I can speak from personal experience and say that the magical day when you're officially an adult does not exist. Your fantasy is just that – a fantasy. But never fear. There are milestones you can hit, probably gradually rather than suddenly, that can signal to yourself and others that you've reached adulthood. Here they are!
1. You have an open mind.
This one is more a maturity issue, but adulthood and maturity should come hand in hand (it doesn't for all of us). If you can truly take other people's viewpoints and opinions into consideration without judgment, then you've probably reached adulthood. An open mind does not mean you change your own opinions every couple of days. It does mean that you're willing to look at situations from a variety of angles, and that you know that life is never one-sided.
2. You can work hard.
There are a number of ways that one can work hard, whether physically, mentally or emotionally. If you can invest your entire energy into a project or goal, you're most likely going to be considered an adult. Those who haven't reached adulthood and aren't very mature may be very lazy, whine and complain about the tasks they're given, or start tasks but never finish them or follow through. This doesn't mean that you always have a job, because we all go between sometimes, and if you aren't physically or mentally well, this doesn't necessarily apply to you either. But you still fill your duties to the best of your ability.
3. You can manage your money.
This one goes hand in hand with No. 2. You know how to scrimp and save, you always pay your bills first, and you keep track of where your money goes, even if it's only in your head. You also know when to treat yourself, too. Managing money well is a true marker of adulthood.
4. You take responsibility for yourself.
It's a tough thing to do, but when you make a mistake own up to it. There is nothing more adult than keeping yourself accountable. You also are not ashamed to point out when you've messed up, even if someone doesn't notice right away. Adults know that mistakes happen, but that they don't need to be covered up so much as apologized for and rectified. Some mistakes can even be celebrated because they lead to a better understanding.
5. You try to keep a positive outlook.
Nothing is more mature and adult-like than looking on the bright side. Some who are immature may constantly complain about the wrong turns they've taken, or the misfortunes that have befallen them. If you're an adult, you know that being negative solves nothing. Being angry or upset solves nothing. You may occasionally slip into a complaint or two, but on the whole you keep your chin up.
Finally, no one can decide if you're an adult better than you. You may not feel like an adult because you haven't checked off enough years, or reached a certain milestone in your life. But you can self-evaluate and decide if you still need to work on molding yourself into a mature adult, or if you still have some growing to do.