I'm a first-year college student, and living on my own has really opened my eyes to some of my parents' and mentors' antics. Here are a few things (that are less obvious than paying taxes and rent) that make me feel more mature than I actually am.
Always opening the carton to check for broken eggs.
It's a practical little thing I learned from my mom that usually reminds me of her. A lot of what makes me feel old revolves around cooking and grocery shopping, because I grew up looking forward to a time when I could stock my kitchen with everything I wanted to eat. I mean, it's not as extravagant as I always wanted it to be because fresh produce is an hour round-trip and everything's expensive, but still.
Reminding yourself you have perfectly good food at home.
I catch myself doing this a lot, primarily because I don't know how to cook appropriate portions of anything that isn't pre-proportioned or instant, and as a result subsist almost entirely on my own leftovers. (And also because I'm broke.)
Using Pinterest.
I'm not ashamed; it's great for organizing recipes and remodeling ideas for the house I don't own.
Getting tastefully drunk off of wine.
If you drank in high school and haven't stopped, you've (hopefully) entered a new phase of drunkenness -- kicking back at the end of a long day with a glass of red wine, a few close friends, and an excessive amount of Netflix documentaries.
Falling into a routine.
I have an egg sandwich every morning and a glass of peppermint tea every night, and it's an (inadvertent) way I've learned to structure my day. It's sounds weird now that I've put it into words, though.
Liking babies more...like a lot more.
Shit, I'm gonna have to start thinking about birthing and raising actual human people in the next ten years or so.
Having freedoms.
The best part about coming to college has been, by far, the control over my own schedule. Little else is more restrictive than having to attend classes that have been chosen for you for 6+ hours, 5 days a week. But now, for the most part, I learn about what I find interesting and useful, and when I get home to my apartment, I can do things and go places on an impulse if it strikes me.
Actually planning for the future.
I've always been a planner -- comparing college stats, restructuring my high school schedule to try and graduate early, stressing out about work/internship opportunities passing me by. But now I REALLY have to start planning. What should I minor in to help my job prospects once I graduate (a foreign language, or public management)? Hell, should I consider changing my major? Should I plan on going to graduate school? If so, for what? If so, should I take a gap year or two to save money and build my resume? When, among all of this, should I start building a family?
Considering all of this, I'm curious to see when I'll stop feeling like an impostor of an adult. I suppose it's comforting to know that the people we base our lives and our notions of adulthood around were (or still are) just as intimidated as us. So the takeaway is: fake it 'til you make it, and don't be afraid to reach out for help from the people who (might) know what they're doing.
