I just realized that I’m a few short months away from being another year older. At 18, I knew it all. I had a part-time job, a driver’s license, friends who did exciting things. Living the grownup life was awesome…. For a time. Then I got a REAL grownup life. The kind that comes with big, important things and actual responsibilities. That’s when I learned that being a grownup is not all fun and games. Sometimes it’s downright difficult.
A few reasons why I think being a grownup is tough.
Via Pixabay
You know better than to Google your illness symptoms, but you do it anyway.
When I was barely an adult I got a horrible sickness. I fluctuated between hot flashes and bitter cold and ran a fever of 104. I went to the clinic, got a shot of antibiotics and went back to school/work. If that same thing had happened to me now that I’m a grownup, it would be a whole different story. First I would do a Google search for what type of illness gives you hot and cold flashes.This would inevitably lead me to conclude that I either am experiencing early menopause or a severe case of hypothyroidism. I’d end up at urgent care, convinced I was going to have to undergo long-term treatment for my self-diagnosed condition, only to find out it’s nothing some rest and drinking lots of fluids can take care of. As a grownup, you know how serious illnesses can be. This is why if you don’t want to scare yourself, you should think twice before Googling every symptom.
You have to pay taxes
I understand the national importance of paying taxes, and they’re not too bad when you end up getting money back. But then there are the times when *dun dun dunnnnnnnn* (insert Morgan Freeman voiceover) you owe on your taxes. It’s a scary feeling.
You have to make decisions
Do I want this job or that job? What if I take that new job, but it doesn’t work out and I end up with no job? Should I move to a new home? Can I afford to move? Do I get that blotchy skin patch looked at (but remember don’t Google it!), or do I wait and see if it grows/morphs into a weird shape? So many decisions! I’ve found myself, on more than one occasion, wishing I didn’t have to be the grownup who had to make the big decision.
You get held responsible for stuff.
Back in the day there was nothing like a high school party. The really good ones were the kind that had people jumping fully-clothed into pools and cars parked all over the lawn. Grownups do not have these types of parties. Because grownups do not like the idea of losing their homeowners insurance or getting sued. Also, grownups know that they are the ones who will be cleaning up after the rowdy ruffians all go home, and grownups would rather be doing something else.
I’m 35 and I think I finally can call myself a grownup. Or at least, I’ve learned a few lessons about responsibility that make me feel like I’ve mastered some part of the journey of life. It’s not like I live out my days in perpetual fear, because I still do crazy things. If I had to, I wouldn’t go back to the days of my carefree youth. Life is sometimes harder as a grownup, and can even be scary but I’ll take it because I don’t think I have the energy to keep up with my younger self!