How to Grow Up
Start writing a post
Relationships

What I Have Discovered About Becoming An Adult

You won't believe how I thought growing up worked.

155
What I Have Discovered About Becoming An Adult
Maddie Pinter

As a little kid, I used to have the never-ending question of "how do my mom and dad know everything that they do?" I understood that they went to school and got a degree, which I'm sure taught them a lot. But I'm talking about how they knew all of this ~mom and dad stuff.~ Like how did they know to give me an ice pack when I banged my knee? Or which one of those baby-mush foods to feed my baby sister? Or how they knew exactly what to say when I needed them? All while I didn't even know to tie my shoe.

The answer was simple to me back then. I literally, and get ready for this, literally thought there was an "adult book." Like I really thought there was a book made for rising adults that just listed everything there was to know about how to be an adult and a parent. As I got older, almost every day there would be something that made me say "oh yeah, I guess that has to be in the book."

However, one day this idea changed. My naïve idea of their actually being a real-life "how-to" book made me giggle to myself. Although now I am only 19, the last few years has shown me that there is no way everything that is taught during life could even fit into one book. Going through these life events such as high school, my parents' divorce, going to college, and moving into my first apartment has taught me more than I could put down in any book.

Whether it was learning some underlying moral value or merely learning how to cook spaghetti, I understand now how my parents (frankly, any adults) learned these little things they did.

Believe it or not, I actually came to this conclusion quite recently through a simple, and quite funny, evening. The other day I was craving a home-cooked meal for dinner. I was getting tired of my nightly routine of making Ramen or microwaveable edamame and monumentally wanted to cook a meal for myself. I went to the store, bought the ingredients to attempt to make stir-fry, and spent almost an hour on the phone with my dad instructing me on how to properly sauté the chicken and vegetables. (Now, before you judge my lack of home-ec skills, my parents did most of the cooking when I lived at home so I had very little experience. However, I hope there are at least one or two people out there that can relate.) Anyway, I ended up making this ~extravagant~ home-cooked stir fry, that actually tasted really good - and then it hit me.

Literally just growing up and going through life is what teaches you all of these things. Calling your mom from your first apartment while your stir-fry is basically on fire is how you learn the things that I once thought were in this mysterious and all-knowing "adult book". This concept probably doesn't make sense to a lot of people, or quite frankly could just come across as foolish. But hopefully, to some, this sounds like a familiar circumstance. If little-me knew that I would know the things I do now without reading the infamous and almighty "adult book," her mind would be blown.

This is one of my favorite things about the way of life: how small and simple anecdotes are the things that open up the biggest and brightest ideas. So, thank you mom, dad and everyone and everything that I have encountered that has taught me something along the way. Who needs the Adult Book when life just so simply is the biggest book of all?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

20318
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

947920
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

124566
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments