Adulting: that phrase we all laugh about but are actually kind of afraid to take seriously. Then we just keep laughing to get through it. One day you wake up, and you have to make your own doctor's appointments and pay these things called taxes. There are lots of little things, and big things, that you'll never fully be prepared for. Once you realize we're all just figuring it out together, it gets easier.
Whether you're ready or not, adulting is coming for you. Some Reddit users commented on adult problems that no one told them about, serious and unexpected, silly and quite laughable, but most of all, relatable.
Freedom
"You can do 'whatever you want', meaning you now have to figure out what the hell you need to do rather than getting told, and then make yourself do it." @Mechasteel It seems like a dream come true that no one is telling you what to do anymore. It's a whole new world, which is what can make it kind of scary. Being an adult is a lot about self-discipline and telling yourself to do something.Fun Is...Different
"Everything you wanted to do as a kid is no longer fun. Junk food? Enjoy heartburn and obesity. Theme parks? Exhausting, expensive and the rides make you motion sick now." @Mechasteel Yeah this one is a bummer. I can't eat a large McDonald's french fry by myself without some serious consequences.Best Friends Forever?
"Realizing that making and keeping friends is extremely hard. People drift apart pretty easy." @discovery_as Relationships do get a little harder. Not impossible, but they do require a lot more intentionality and effort than before. But the good ones will stick and make it work!Holidays Are Expensive
"Everyone expects you to buy them f***ing Christmas presents now." @Ditred01 It was acceptable before to not buy a million presents during the holiday season, but now, everyone, including their dogs, want a Christmas present and it definitely gets a little expensive.What Now?
"Once you're out of school, working for a few years, you realize that society stops telling you what to do.... which can be freeing! But it can also be terrifying. I know people who have literally just jumped into grad school and ph.d programs because it was such a clearer path for them." @readycent School always provided a clear schedule and once you enter adulthood, things can look a little blurry; every week functions differently. I used to get sick of the rigid schedule of college, but there are times that I miss the security of knowing what to expect every week. Now, it's a lot about being flexible and adjusting to whatever life throws at you.The Balancing Act
"Balancing life in general. Between working full-time, maintaining a healthy romantic relationship, eating healthy, staying active, having to go grocery shopping, paying the bills, all while having to stay in contact with close friends and family... Sometimes it just doesn't feel like there's enough time in life!" @lenerz It can be a little overwhelming at first and it definitely takes time and practice to learn how to balance all these things, but it's not impossible. Time management is a crazy important skill to learn as you get older.The Game of Life
"I feel like grocery shopping and cooking your own meals is an endless video game that even when you think you're ahead you're always behind." @demarderollins This one is so real. I always wonder how all my food goes so quickly...oh it's because I ate it all in one day, even though it was supposed to last me all week. I'm still learning.The Irony
"Money to buy video games and no time to play them." @A_Cossssssby_Sweater
Or money to buy cute clothes and no place to wear them. Ugh, life is hard.Grown-Up Decisions
"Deciding what to eat...Every. Single. Day." @catch10110 Can I just eat Mac & Cheese everyday? Is that not an option?Trash Night
"Remembering which night is trash night." @ashelyjo14 I mean it's the same night, but every week I still seem to forget. Maybe one day I'll get it down.Money Flies
"When you pay all your bills on payday and then realize you nothing left." @fantasticmrfox_thm
Yeah, money can go pretty fast. Being responsible and paying your bills on time feels really good, but it still stings a little when you see how much is left. Budgeting is important ladies and gentleman!Making Friends
"Having to make new friends. I know it sounds weird but it's a lot harder when you don't have a group of people your age that you automatically hang out with 5 days a week. You have to go out and find them on your own!" @vivalajordan12 It's weird for a lot of people! This is where you learn to be brave and put yourself out there. It takes time, so don't expect to make BFFs right away; don't give up!Death By Cleaning
"That a house needs CONSTANT cleaning. Like, you can't just wait until it's messy and do it all in an afternoon. You need to put in an hour or so every day, or just accept your fate and die under a pile of garbage." @EffityJeffity Cleaning a little everyday will ultimately make life easier for yourself than coming home at the end of the week to a laundry tornado. Or death by your own garbage pile. No one wants that.Definition of Deductible
"There was no class that taught me what a deductible is and that's a shame." @Mr_FreddyKnuckles
I'm going to be honest, this one still confuses me. Don't judge me!