A lot of memes I across the Internet are about how everyone, no matter how old, is just a kid inside, trying to figure out what’s going on, which is something I definitely identify with.
But every once in a while, something happens that does actually make me feel like a grown-up. It’s usually small, and kind of silly, but it’s fun, and I thought people might want to share theirs.
For me, most recently, it was realizing I like Greek yogurt now. It was trendy when I was like 12, and I couldn’t stand it then, but I bought some on a whim, and now I keep the fridge stocked. That drastic change in my tastes took me aback momentarily, but I thought it was a nice fun little milestone.
How about you?
Helping my son deal with his mental illness, drug addiction, and ultimately suicide.
I really have never felt like an adult, until my son moved in with me (I met him when he was 5 days old, and was kept from seeing him again until he moved in with me when was almost 17). Suddenly I had to deal with his medication, his appointments, keeping him out of trouble, learning to be a father of a 17 year old I did not know.
After his death the feeling stuck around for a while, but has slowly gone away over time. My last born child turned 18 earlier this year, and while that made me feel old, it did not make me feel like an adult. I even took him to register for college that, just feeling like an old kid.
I just…I want to hug you.
His birthday is coming up in a couple weeks, his death 6 weeks later (11 years this year). This is the hardest time of the year. Some days I could really use a hug.
Sending you a hug
The first time going to a hardware store for something I needed and being like “oooh I want that” to like half the random shit in the store like light fixtures and lawn furniture.
Being excited to see furniture is definitely an adult feeling.
Dude…I just bought a coffee table that has liftaway tops to create a desk, AND hidden storage compartment.
Im excited about a coffee table.
Oh, I am so jealous. I saw one of those online recently, with the picture showing the top extended towards the couch and I felt so dumb. I’d never thought about using them as a table when they’re open. Totally would have changed the coffee table purchase I just made 😭
That’s so cool!!
For sure. As a kid, I never would have loved spending so much time at the thrift store lol
My lower back and knees remind me that I’m a grown up.
Meeting the man of my dreams… and then meeting his beautiful wife.
Ironic.
Don’t you think?
At first his lips where sweet as mango, when first I held him to my chest,
But now we have this grim fandango and will four years before we rest.
–
Keep them close to where your heart used to be
I’m 51 but in my head I’m the same guy I was at 21 but wiser because I have more experience and more data points, not because age matured me. That said, I can remember feeling like the only “adult in the room” as far back as 16 years old, after my only parent died.
So to answer your question, I don’t think I ever feel like an adult, more like less lost than those around me and burdened to take care of them before they hurt themselves or others. This is especially true during my many work meetings.
Being excited about buying a nice cooler to go camping with
The death of parents.
Getting excited over “mundane” things. New silverware, vacuum cleaner, pan etc.
Going over bank statements. Going over stock options.
Using hot water to wash my hands instead of cold (don’t even do this yet but I’ll know I’ll be a geezer when I do).
Not caring about others opinions about you. Just living your life.
Cooking. Specifically soup and porridge.
Checking email multiple times everyday
When I bought an actual bedframe. It wasn’t the bed at my parents’ house, it wasn’t the bed that my college dorm owned, and it wasn’t an air mattress I had been sleeping on during my internships. It was an actual bed, a real piece of adult furniture. It wasn’t a small cheap metal frame. It was bulky and adult and real, and I owned it.
I was walking through the city at night smoking a (now legal) joint with a friend and talking and suddenly it occurred to me that none of what I was doing was against any rules and that society was literally built by adults and for adults.
Yeah, every once in a while it does pay off
Doing my taxes.
I like to listen to music or books while I work, and I have to drive a work vehicle a few times a day, and a big forklift to do my job. Both have a radio built in but no easy way to connect my phone to listen to my own stuff. I eventually found that I actually enjoy listening to the radio, especially the local news updates.
Once I realised that, I thought “oh god I’m turning into my dad”
I’m 30 and haven’t liked the radio since I was around 10 (aka when I got my first CD played)
When I go to a medical appointment and the doctor is younger than me
Making spaghetti for the first time, in my first apartment. Then realized I had made enough for four people for a week, aaaaand the feeling passed.
Lodging taxes