Adulthood. When I was 16, I could not wait for it. When I became an adult, I felt that I would somehow matter, people would take me seriously, and I would have the freedom to do as I wanted. Personally, I would not want to be 16 again, but there are some things that I do miss about being younger. Today at 21, I have all the freedom and independence I always dreamed of, but also no one to warn me if I’m about to make a bad decision or help me financially when I'm on my last box of Hot Pockets and am broke. Being an adult at times IS fun, but I have discovered that, more often, the things that I am now allowed to do, I either don’t have the money or time to do (often both). So with that in mind, here are the best and worst things about being an adult:
Moving up in the job market.
No more crappy minimum-wage jobs (if you so choose). As competent adults, most of us can find jobs that aren’t flipping burgers at a Wendy’s unless we live in an area where employment is severely limited. Unfortunately, we are forced to seek these higher paying jobs because no one can survive on $7.25 per hour. Say hello to more money but also rent, gas, utilities, car payments, groceries, maintenance repair costs, etc. So you are still pretty broke once again.
The greater the times of stress, the greater the stress relievers.
Unfortunately with more bills and responsibility comes more stress. In order to deal with this added stress, you are given the opportunity (again if you so choose) to purchase alcohol. Also, unfortunately, alcohol in excess can create new problems such as drunk dialing your ex, having to walk home because you can’t drive your car, or drunkenly ordering $300 worth of seasonal saltshakers on eBay. Please drink responsibly.
Boys to men.
Speaking of exes, as an adult, you can point out key differences between “boys” and “men.” You also have painful reminders of the types of guys you don’t want in your life. You can certainly pay for your own dinner, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t appreciate it when he does. All those teenage heartbreaks taught you some valuable lessons as an adult.
Priorities, priorities.
You have set priorities. Perhaps it’s your education or your family, but regardless of what it may be, you can recognize what’s important to you and won’t let anyone or anything get in the way of it. You hope that your relationship and friendships last, but you also realize that things happen and people change. You are not willing to sacrifice your own happiness to keep the wrong people in your life, and you definitely won't put aside your dreams or goals in order to make others happy.
You find out who your friends are.
Your circle is now painfully small (or it may even include just you and your feline roommates) and you’re okay with that. Long ago you had an extended group of best friends, many of whom are now engaged, married, or pregnant. You may still speak with them but you aren’t that close. Frankly, you just don’t have that much in common anymore. You may think about the “good ole days” with them but you’re pretty much okay because you have a couple of friends who have been with you through thick and then.
You become increasingly grateful for the advice from your family.
You realize that 95 percent of the time, your family was right. Your grandmother was right about your ex, about how you should have saved more money, and basically everything in between. On the positive, as an adult your family no longer sees you as an emotional whiney teenager, but as an equal. No matter where your life is at, you can be proud of yourself and what you’ve accomplished. You’ve left the nest (or are in the process of doing so) and have showed everyone that you are a self-sufficient and independent adult.
Live your own life without limitations the way you want
The hands-down best thing about being an adult is that you are free to be whoever you choose to be. There are far fewer people who judge and compete with you. No one in your adult life post high school is going to care what you wore, who you were friends with, or your yearbook photos. High school may have either been an enjoyable time or complete misery for you. If it was not so pleasant, look at your future as a fresh start. You are in control of your life now and no one can limit you. What you do, who you share it with, and what you make of yourself is now up to you -- and solely you.
