Let’s talk about adulthood for a second. It sucks. First, you have to be responsible and have your life together, and if you don’t you will hear about it from someone and if nobody’s giving you crap, you’re probably beating yourself up for not being where you wanted to be by now. Then you have to deal with things from jobs that you hate to pay bills for things that you can’t go without, all while resisting the urge to just stay in bed all of the time, because it’s just so much better there. Then you mix the social, political, environmental and personal issues that basically come with existing as a human adult and suddenly you start seriously considering, if it’s all that bad, to be a hobo.
So, how are you supposed to survive the turmoil of existence? Good question, I have no clue. However, I will share some things that have helped me to get through the ups and downs of adulthood, healthy or otherwise--I’ll leave that to your judgment.
The first thing I turn to when I find myself in times of trouble is music. Had a bad day at work, or just have a crappy job in general? there are playlists and artists out there for you that will GET how you feel. Take music suggestions from everyone, because you never know who has that song you have been needing to hear for the last six months. Music is the best and most inexpensive therapy I know of, and it's amazing how many people you can connect with on deep emotional levels through sound. Music truly is God’s gift to mankind. So the next time you are in a low, find a song to either comfort you and be soft, or perfectly understand and express your aggression.
Music is also amazing for the good times. Any song can be the best song ever if it’s attached to a significant memory. “Come On Eileen” reminds me of the fun times of my last week of high school, because some friends of mine performed it at the senior assembly. “Livin’ On A Prayer” reminds me of road tripping with my sisters and my brother in law, screaming the lyrics at the top of our lungs through northern California. Music is powerful for healing. Always turn to music
Another thing that has helped me is writing. As inspired by some of my favorite artists, their advice has been to “write your way through,” to use the energy from something negative and turn it into something productive, to become an alchemist with your emotions and make them into something truly beautiful and meaningful. And maybe that isn’t writing in your personal case, but I’d say it’s worth a shot. I’ve got no talent for poetry, but I can write what I feel without sugarcoating my feelings, and that is true freedom. My inability to be obscure and flowery with my writing has also led to my ability to connect with a larger audience. So write in the way that makes sense to you, if that's listing facts, telling stories or writing poems about leaves that are really about your feelings, do that. Connect with yourself. I promise you’ll understand yourself better when it’s on paper and out of your head.
Lastly, talk. Speak up to your loved ones and let them know that you’ve gotta vent and now. You deserve to be heard and loved and supported. Ask for it. If the people in your life won't do that, find someone that will.
Adulthood sucks, but you can make it through. Find a passion and chase it like mad. Love everyone completely, no matter if they use you or hurt you or they might be “no good” because, no matter what, everyone deserves to know what real love is like at least once in their life. Literally become the change you want to see in the world by going the extra mile in everything you do. No rest for the wicked; get out there and change the world.
