In 2014, Mignon Fogarty, the brain behind the "Grammar Girl" franchise declared the trendy new term "adulting" to be her 2014 Word of the Year, saying, "It’s been a long time since I picked a word of the year, but in 2014, one in particular jumped out at me. It’s a new word that I think will catch on: adulting."
Almost a year later, in this writer's humble opinion, Fogarty's suggestion has proved true. The term "adulting" has grown to take on more cultural significance that other linguistic fads like "yolo" or "bae" tend to generate.
Attending a college like Barnard demands a greater level of independence and responsibility than most because of its metropolitan location, providing plenty of opportunity to employ the term "adulting" in everyday life, as we navigate the tricky waters of New York City living.
1. Fosters self-awareness and humility.
Using the term "adulting," whether in a social media post or in real-life conversation, conveys a sense of self-awareness, as the speaker practices introspection and recognizes an added sense of personal growth and development. Furthermore, applying the label "adulting" to accomplishments, signifies acute humility in communicating one's life achievements.
2. Is a healthy celebration of life’s little milestones.
"Adulting" has a particular usefulness in the celebration of milestones. By hash-tagging an event with "adulting," one shares the fact of its significance in their life, in addition to creating the opportunity for others to celebrate and congratulate them. Using the term might also be effective in communicating what qualities the individual values in their definition of adulthood and adult responsibility.
3. Takes the “no fun” stigma off of adult life.
The so called "Grammar Police" frequently criticizes the modern practice of turning nouns into unconventional verbs. The informal and whimsical nature of term "adulting," however, works to debunk the often abysmal and "no fun" stigma of adult life, making it seem more down-to-earth and approachable.
4. Recognizes that age alone does not an adult make.
Making "adulting" a verb is also cognizant of the fact that achieving a certain age will not automatically endow adulthood upon an individual. Responsible actions and life decisions confer adulthood along with age. The term "adulting" recognizes the complexity of that relationship and the underlying supposition that being an adult requires continual and concentrated action.
5. Embraces the process of becoming.
"Adulting" also recognizes the process involved in becoming an adult, as there is no sudden ascension to adulthood. It is a gradual process that begs individual growth, patience and tolerance. In many ways, the term "adulting" gives young people an opportunity to stop and smell the roses and enjoy their journey to maturation.
