Remember when you were a kid at a family party and you couldn't wait to sit at the "big kid's" table? Or when you were a freshman in high school and you couldn't wait for your "Sweet 16." Let's not forget our anticipation of turning 18, so we could finally be adults! Oh, and then the extreme desire to graduate so we can finally be independent and enter the real world.

We have expectations of what being an adult is going to be like, then those expectations fly out the window when we are hit with reality.

1. When you cook dinner for yourself for the first time.

Expectation:

You are convinced those hours of Food Network you watched on television have prepared you for this moment.

Reality:

You hope the miniature fire you have just created in your dorm kitchen doesn't set off the fire alarm.

2. When you taste your homemade delicacy.

Expectation:

Reality:

It doesn't taste like mom's cooking, but you paid too much money for the ingredients, so you have to eat it.

3. When you get a job and start making your own money.

Expectation:

Reality:

It's amazing how quickly that money disappears when your parents aren't there to buy you everything.

4. When you have to set up doctor's appointments as an adult.

Expectation:

Awesome, you feel so professional and grown up talking to the doctor on the phone.

Reality:

You call your mom begging her to set up the appointment for you.

5. You're ready to use your freedom to go out every night with your squad.

Expectation:

Young, wild, and free...right?

Reality:

After juggling school, work, and extracurriculars, that only leaves time for Netflix and napping.

6. That plan for your life that you've written up since you were 8 is going into action!

Expectation:

Telling everyone you have it all figured out.

Reality:

Suddenly, that plan doesn't align with your current interests.

7. Dating is amazing. You will meet the love of your life.

Expectation:

Because everyone finds the love of their life in their 20s

Reality:

It's difficult to genuinely find someone to fall for when you are still figuring out who you are and what you want to become.

8. Going on vacation with your friends without any parents.

Expectation:

Everything is going to go perfectly because you and your squad know everything about planning ahead for a trip.

Reality:

You don't even know how to pack your own suitcase because you're used to Mom doing it for you.

9. When your family misses you way too much and you are low-key annoyed because they're interrupting your adult flow.

Expectation:

You try not to lose your temper when your family keeps checking up on you.

Reality:

You miss your family a lot.

When are you an adult anyways? When you turn 18? When you graduate? When you move out?

One thing's for sure. Becoming an adult looked way easier in the movies. You start to reminisce on the days of your childhood. Those days are way easier compared to now.

You don't have it all figured out. Legally, you're an adult. But you feel nothing but confusion, loneliness, and uncertainty.

Yet, you also feel excited and independent.

Because just like life, our expectations of how something will go aren't always spot on.

Despite the failures, struggles, and tough lessons, you can expect this journey of adulthood to be fulfilling, exciting, and worthwhile.

The reality is, none of us have it all figured out. So take a deep breath, and show everyone you can be part of the adult world.