Growing up, we always thought that our parents had it all figured out. In our eyes, they were nothing short of perfect and had everything down to a tee. From always having our lunches made, to always being there to tuck us in at night, they never skipped a beat. Now, fresh into my twenties, I'm learning that that's definitely not the case. Adulthood takes grit. It takes sacrifice. It takes passion.
To me, the part that sticks out most when it comes to growing up is holding myself accountable. I can't rely on my parents or others to get things done for me. I'm in charge of my own decisions and now have to make the big calls on what I want to do with my future. But it's hard. To be honest, taking myself to the dentist was one of the most terrifying yet thrilling experiences of my life. It was thrilling because I was, in a sense, doing something because I wanted to and not because my parents said so (but a toothache definitely factored into why I was so willing to go in by myself, that sucker hurt). But on the flip side, it was terrifying because I was responsible for making the appointment, checking myself in, and actually showing up.
Another aspect of adulthood I've learned to embrace is that success isn't just handed to you; it's earned. That means income too. I've discovered that to get to the top and be financially independent, you need to prove that you're capable of handling such responsibility. It's terrifying thinking about how in a few short years, I'm probably going to be in charge of all my own expenses. From bills to groceries, I can no longer ring up one of my parents and ask to use some of their money. Yet, that excites me too because I feel like once I financially detach from my parents, that's when I can officially say "I've made it".
In today's society, employers aren't looking for those who are the most successful and most bright. They're looking for those who have grit and are willing to keep pushing on when the times get tough. Common sense isn't so common anymore, meaning that employers will be extremely impressed in those who can problem solve and think critically to get the job done. Candidates who have those specific traits will be more desirable in the work force, meaning that they'll have higher employment and better pay. If more and more people were willing to develop skills like these, adulting would become a breeze.
In the end, I've learned that the hardest part is always taking the first step. As humans, we're uncomfortable when we get put into new and foreign environments. And that's all adulthood is: stepping out of your comfort zone. New experiences make us grow, all it takes is a just bit of bravery and whole lot of courage.
