Being an adult, especially a young adult, can be so ridiculously tough. You see so many memes and jokes about “adulting,” but can we just take a minute to focus on how difficult it really is! I mean how many things can go wrong in one day?!
Usually, as a young adult, you are in the greatest years of your life. Although I agree that these are the greatest years of your life, they are also the most confusing, frustrating and sometimes, downright agonizing years. I would venture to say that being a “young adult” starts in your early to mid- twenties. You start paying all of your own bills: rent, car insurance, gas, phone bill, groceries and, of course, the dreaded tuition bill. It begins to feel like no matter how many jobs or hours you work, it never seems to be enough. Eventually, you just accept the fact that you will be incredibly broke for the next several years, and you take a free meal whenever you can get one.
Eventually, you begin to realize how much your parents actually did for you. I mean, along with paying your bills, they helped you navigate through all the curveballs life seems to throw your way. Car problems, even though you just got that car, doctor's appointments (What kind of health insurance do I have?), finances, stains out of your white laundry and pretty much everything else adulting involves. While they may have pushed you to be independent and figure things out on your own, they were always there, backing you up when you needed it. Now, we are over here trying to adult on our own and keep our lives together, and it feels like we are falling on our faces.
Don't even get me started on finances. You are trying to pay all your bills, buy your school books, save money for a rainy day and maintain some money for a social life. You are exhausted from working so much, and it feels like the days will never end! Every time you get caught up on bills, something crazy comes up and you just feel like crying, well more like sobbing uncontrollably, but that’s neither here nor there. Do you think life could take it easy on us for just a few days?
Those times when you are hustling, trying to keep up with everything, don’t forget to take care of yourself too. I wholeheartedly believe that self-care looks different for each person. So, whether you just need some retail therapy and chocolate cake, or something a little deeper, treat yourself. In order to keep going, you have to make sure you are filling yourself. Treat yo’ self!
So, to all my fellow friends who are trying to adult, I understand, it sucks. For everything you seem to accomplish or fix, ten other things seem to go wrong. It can feel like life is not only knocking you down but running you over and leaving you for dead.
Throw a pity party, drink an iced latte, and then GET BACK UP, even if you have to have a friend pick you back up! You can work those jobs, go to school, get your car fixed and pay all your bills. My Mom always tells me "pull up your big girl panties and move on." So, that's what I'm telling you! Trying to balance all that adulthood entails is so difficult, but you got this! After life runs you over, get back up and show them how it's done!
