The Emotional Side of Adulting No One Prepares You For

The Emotional Side of Adulting No One Prepares You For

Spoiler: It's not just about taxes and toilet paper.

When I was younger, I thought being an adult meant staying up late and eating brownies for dinner. Technically, I was right—but I didn’t realize I’d be doing it because I forgot to grocery shop… again… and I’m too emotionally exhausted to care.

Nobody Warns You About the Tiny Existential Crises

Like the first time you buy a shower curtain and feel weirdly emotional about it. Suddenly you’re staring at the checkout screen thinking, Is this who I am now? A person who gets excited about neutral-toned bathroom accessories?

Or when you realize “doing nothing” now includes scrolling TikTok while waiting for your laundry to finish and questioning every life decision that got you here.

You Will Miss Your Younger Self… and Also Want to Slap Her

There’s this sneaky grief that comes with growing up. You’ll randomly remember your high school self who thought 25 was ancient and had no concept of a Roth IRA. Honestly, sometimes I miss her confidence and questionable outfit choices. But also… girl, why did you think you’d be a millionaire by now?

Making Friends as an Adult Is Weird

You go from “let’s be besties because we both like dogs” to “do I ask this coworker to hang out or is that too intimate?” Adult friendships are like dating, but with more group chats and calendar coordination. And when someone cancels plans? Peak joy. True love.

The Pressure Is Real (And Also Dumb)

There’s this unspoken rule that you have to have it all figured out—career, finances, skincare routine. Like we’re all on some invisible timeline. Meanwhile, I’m just over here Googling “how to cook quinoa” and trying not to cry at car commercials.

Let’s normalize not knowing what the hell we’re doing. Please.

But Honestly? It’s Not All Bad

Yes, adulting is hard. Yes, sometimes you stare at your ceiling wondering if that one weird choice in 2018 ruined everything. But you also get to grow into someone stronger, softer, wiser—and okay, slightly more addicted to iced coffee.

You learn to laugh at the chaos, appreciate the small wins (like folding your laundry the same day you wash it), and slowly build a life that feels like yours.

So if you’re feeling like you’re doing it all wrong, just know:

  • You’re not.
  • None of us know what we’re doing.
  • Brownies for dinner is valid.

Cheers to emotional growth, and remembering to take the trash out (eventually).

 

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