The word "adult" never used to be a verb, not until my generation starting graduating college, being pushed out into the real world, and floundering around like confused little chickens with blindfolds on.
It's unreal to me how I used to look to people in their twenties when I was in middle school and high school. People over the age of 22 just seemed so magical, professional, like little unicorns running around with optimism and job opportunities popping up like little* glitter bombs everywhere they looked.
*could I have used the word little any more times in the past few sentences? Gosh.
*could I have used the word little any more times in the past few sentences? Gosh.
At 23, I can tell you with confidence that that information is FALSE.
(Being super "adulty" in my slippers with my feet on the dashboard, waiting for my mac & cheese bites)
It is true that some people were born with more opportunities than others. Whether that means they came from money, success, or a thriving location, some people have a leg up onto the insurmountable, barbed wire fence of adulthood.
But what is adulthood, and what constitutes a successful young adult?
In my opinion (which is just one opinion, so don't get ya panties in a bunch), it looks a little like this:
- someone who showers every day and never skips a much needed shave
- someone whose nails and toes are never chipped
- someone who has savings accounts and actively deposits into them
- someone who actually does their hair instead of relying on headbands for days
- someone who has their own living space, which they pay for themselves
- someone who makes their own doctor's appointments
- someone who wouldn't be caught dead leaving the house in slippers
- someone with a job that pays the bills bills bills
- someone who grocery shops and cooks healthy meals for themselves and others
- someone who has a regular schedule for their Zumba/Yoga/Spin classes and has a closet full of cute but affordable active-wear
- someone who could successfully care for and raise a child
Someone who meets these points is obviously responsible, plans ahead, dignified, and cares for themselves.
They have it all together. They are the definition of #adultinggoals. But let's be honest for a second. Some people don't make it here until they're thirty. Forty. Some people don't make it here, EVER.
Until then, we are all just faking it. And that's perfectly okay. Being a successful adult (at the point where you no longer have to fake it) is the same thing as being responsible in all aspects of your life. Some days are just like that - you just got a killer blowout, are wearing a prime shade of red lipstick, brows on fleek day, nails haven't chipped yet, new dark denim jeans, bills paid off for the month - you're the boss of your life.
And some days you haven't washed your hair in almost a week, or done your eyebrows, or shaved anything, and wear an oversized black hoodie, sweatpants and slippers to go pick up Chinese food, AND a hotdog, AND mac & cheese bites. Because you just can't even.
Becoming a responsible and independent adult is a process. Sometimes a long process. I don't think I'm even halfway there. Until then, I fake it, like everyone else. Post only the best Instagrams. Tweet only the cleverest things.
And sometimes, just sometimesss, wash my hair and wear lipstick.
