Early adulthood is a stressful time. Everything is a frazzled disorganized mess and somehow it seems that all of the people around you have got their shit together way more than you. Well, thankfully, they donāt. Weāre all in the same boat, and while the boat may be up a creek without a paddle, itās got an engine and a steering wheel and you have the potential to make it go wherever you want. You just have to get pointed in the right direction. So after some meticulous research (talking to āadultsā) and arduous investigation (late-night Googling and multiple Pinterest boards), Iāve compiled a list of 12 things that you can do to make your transition to being a mature, poised, fiscally responsible, grown ass human being a teeny bit easier.
1. Set Goals for Yourself
Whether itās seriously considering the idea of attending law/med/grad school after college or to finish reading "x" amount of books by the end of 2016, setting goals helps to motivate and bring life to plans that you may not have necessarily thought to be the most attainable. It can help you to identify what exactly it is you want to do and becomes the foundation on which you can build a solid plan to achieve that.
2. Keep a Calendar
A part from reminding you to go to the dentist on Tuesday, maintaining a calendar can help you keep track of your social events, school obligations and miscellaneous life occasions. Being able to see what your week holds in store for you is a great way to manage time for grocery shopping, homework and naps.
3. Make Lists
Something that as an Odyssey writer I have become very accustomed to, making lists is a great way for me to organize my thoughts and keep different aspects of my life separated. Whether itās a to-do list, grocery list or a list of songs I want to show my best friend, I just feel that my life is more structured once Iāve satisfied my mild OCD and laid out a plan.
4. Stock Up
This can apply to keeping extra tubes of toothpaste, a handful of Clif bars, or looseleaf paper; you will never regret having a surplus supply of things you need frequently. Nothing is worse than realizing that your roommate used up all of your index cards halfway through finals week or finding out too late that your apartment is fresh out of toilet paper.
5. Invest In a Professional Wardrobe
You never know when fate may bring you a last-minute job interview, so itās wise to keep a few shirts and pleated pants handy just in case. Plus, itās nice to have some options for when you have career fairs or a presentation in class.
6. Start Saving Some Money
You may not need to open a 401(k) quite yet, but itās definitely a good idea to start saving at least a little money. Divide what you have into three separate categories: an emergency fund, a future fund, and a fun fund. How much you allocate into what fund is up to you, but youāll thank yourself in the future when you know that you have some money to fall back on in times of dire need.
7. Keep an Open Mind
First impressions can be misleading. And preconceived notions that you have about something can be wrong. Whether itās a career path or a type of dressing to put on your salad, itās important to try new things without too much of a fuss because it really could end up being one of the best choices you ever make.
8. Learn to Cook
You arenāt destined to eat takeout or Easy Mac every night for the rest of your existence. Just learn to make a few simple dishes, you may find that you enjoy it. Cooking for yourself means that youāre in control not only of what you eat but more importantly, how much you eat. And yes, this means smaller heapings of penne alla vodka no man has ever finished in one sitting and also no more sad, singular slices of cake since you can eat the whole damn thing yourself.
9. Make Your Bed
It oozes vibes of having your shit together. Nothing screams āadultā more than doing something just because you feel like you should despite not having any legitimate reason to. Itās like planting flowers in your front yard or displaying ornaments and knick knacks on your bookshelf. Itās also just nice to come home and see a nicely made bed in contrast with the mess that your life has become.
10. Learn to Talk to People
This can apply to networking or simply making small talk with someone you graduated high school with. Being a good communicator has the potential to bring you further in life than a stacked resume. The way that you interact with others becomes the starting point of how they perceive you and so you should try to give off a good impression. Be genuine, be polite, and be friendly. They donāt have to be your favorite person in the world to feel as though they have your respect.
11. Be Comfortable Asking People For Help
The adultiest adults I have spoken to all agree that asking others for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength and perseverance. By asking people for help, you show initiative and your willingness to accomplish your tasks. So whether youāre asking someone to explain what the political process entails, or what the hell an IRA account is, donāt feel self-conscious. If youāre learning and growing, no one will think the worse of you (as long as youāre not an asshole about it).
12. Go For It
The only way that you can really call yourself an adult is if you pay attention to the things that make you happy, and pursue the things that make you feel alive. With the exception of obvious limitations (like laws or safety concerns), whatās the point of being an independent adult if you canāt even do the things that you want to do?
"I gotta tell you, I am really enjoying being an adult. You can do whatever you want. For example, If I want a cookie, I can have a cookie. I can have three cookies or four cookies or 11 cookies. Sometimes, I intentionally ruin my appetite and then I call my mother to tell her that I did. "Hello mom, I just ruined my entire appetite. Cookies." Because as an adult we understand that if we ruin our appetite, there is another one coming right behind it. There is no danger of running out of appetites. I got millions of 'em, I can ruin them whenever I want."
-Jerry Seinfeld