By Sarah Brashears, Co Editor-in-Chief
Adulting.
What a fun word to throw around as much as we do. However, this word is often followed with a sigh, eyeroll or sense of dread. Because, honestly, let’s get real.
Adulting is hard. Whether you just graduated high school or college, are starting your first “real” job or you’ve been at it for years, the challenges of navigating adulthood rarely come with a manual. Here’s a spoiler alert for you, no one truly knows what they are doing. Social media paints a pretty picture of what adulthood is.
There are perfectly decorated and cleaned homes, successful careers, and the picture-perfect family moments. But do you want the reality?
Adulting is messy. It’s juggling bills you barely understand. It’s being overwhelmed by endless responsibilities.
Sometimes, it’s even trying to remember if you ate at all during the day.
The truth of adulting means dealing with things that your younger self never cared about, or honestly even thought about.
Things like insurance, policies, taxes, grocery shopping and cooking and learning to budget so you don’t feel like your paycheck pulls a disappearing act as soon as it hits the bank.
They don’t teach you to adult in school, which is why it is so hard.
One of the hardest things about adulthood is the pressure to have it all figured out. But, again being real, no one does.
Every adult that you look up to has faced moments of doubt, made mistakes and had to course-correct.
The difference is they often don’t talk about it openly. Growing up is a continuous process.
You may try something, it may not work, so you adjust and move forward. It may be messy, but that’s what makes it real and human.
First, give yourself some grace. Adulting is not about perfection. It’s about progress. Celebrate your small wins, even if it looks like paying a bill on time, cooking a decent meal, or making it to work on time Monday morning.
These small victories still matter. It is also okay ask for help when you need it. If you are feeling overwhelmed, talk to someone. It doesn’t matter if it is a friend, family or a professional, reach out.
This is a sign of strength not weakness. Break up big tasks into smaller steps. Feel like you’re facing a mountain? Break the mountain into pieces. Instead of “doing taxes,” find last years W-2, then download the software and so on. Small steps will add up.
Also, create a budget that works for you. Budgeting doesn’t have to be complicated. Make a log tracking where your money goes for a month. From there, create simple spending limits. It’s also okay to budget for fun, not just expenses.
One of the most important things is to practice self-care. Adulting demands physical stamina. Start prioritizing sleep, moving your body and taking downtime. It is not a selfish habit; it is a necessary one.
Adulting is a wild ride full of unexpected challenges and moments of growth. It’s okay to feel lost, confused or exhausted. That only shows that you are human. The key is to keep showing up for yourself, learn as you go and remember that no one has it all figured out. We are all doing our best, just one day at a time.
Here is to embracing the messiness, celebrating the small wins, and giving yourself permission to not be perfect.
At the end of the day, adulting is not about having the answers. It’s about having the courage to keep asking the questions.