Seven Things I've Learned Since Becoming an 'Adult'

Before I start writing about my "seven things" I would just like to say, without hesitation, 10-year-old me (the innocent little sh*thead) took being young for granted, walking around thinking becoming older was somehow going to make me cooler. Somehow, I would magically make all kinds of money, which at the time, some change from my grandma's purse seemed like a LOT to me. (Silly little naive girl) That my life would be prodigious, full of new adventures, surrounded by friends. Instead, the highlight of my day could be anything from getting new soap to taking a much needed nap. If I could travel anywhere in time... for any reason at all, I'd most likely go back in time.... and punch younger me.

In the face.

1) Friends aren't always your friend.

Unfortunately, when things get tough, you realize who's actually there for you. And the circle usually ends up small.

It may not be the case for everyone, but more times than not as you get older, your friends become sparse. I was that person, thinking, "My friends will be my friends until I die, we're closer than that." Yet again, I was wrong. All it took was one event, and I noticed that no one was down for me. Not my family. Not my friends. At least, not the majority of them (essentially four people).

You have to remind yourself that you are the number one person that controls your life, who gets to be involved, and who you allow to know your personal life. Sadly, people are selfish and the majority of the people I have talked to are the same. If they can't benefit off you, you're not important.

2) Grocery shopping is dangerous.

I'm not kidding.... Well, maybe a little bit about the severity, but I've got a good point to get across.

Every time I make a list of the essentials I know I'll need: milk, eggs, cereal, you know, the easy things that can be prepared and eaten fast. But I ALWAYS end up leaving with things I know I don't need. Things I knew would taste good right then and there (never go shopping hungry). Essentially, it's dangerous to my wallet... and my pride.

... Don't even get me started on the price of cheese.

3) Save your shopping bags

I feel like I shouldn't really have to go into detail so I'll just list a couple great ways to reuse them!

Pinterest: homemade jelly fish (it's a DIY to spruce up your living area with "jelly fish."

Garbage bags: <--

Store extension cords and power strips.

Preserve paint brushes, or even use for mixing paints.

4) Working your butt off sucks but it's worth it.

I know, ugh. I don't like working myself but it's always a good idea to show you have amazing work ethic. These days, everything costs an arm and a leg. It's basically crucial to work as much as you can if you want to be able to save. Push yourself to get to work early, help a coworker out, and fill your spare time at work with cleaning/stocking. Show initiative, even if you hate your job and you hate the people, having people to testify to your stupendous work ethic is always a nice card to have in your back pocket.

5) You owe people NOTHING.

If you're in a work situation where you have a better opportunity but feel guilty, do it anyways. If you have a chance to do something that will fulfill you, even if it means upsetting someone else, do it. (I don't mean taking your best friend's man or sabotaging your aunt for whatever reason.) If you want to have a baby but your spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend or even both, disagrees, there are billions of people on this planet, and if one person won't accept you for who you are and respect you for your hopes and dreams, there is always someone that will. Don't hold yourself back because you are worried about how other people will feel. You are your own maker. You choose who you become and choose how fast you want it to happen. Don't let someone else's opinions stagger you from achieving happiness.

6) The struggle IS real.

Have you had sleep for dinner? Or decided to starve instead of eating a free meal at work? Just because you can't afford to count against your check? (Working at a Pizzeria and only ever getting free pizza is awful. Pizza sauce smells disgusting) Have you ever been so broke that you water down shampoo, your conditioner? Or that you've had to wear the same pair of leggings for days because you can't even afford soap? Being an adult is hard. Being a young adult and having your own apartment is harder. There are utilities and rent, insurance, to hospital bills and paying out of pocket for therapy. Luckily, there are classes on budgeting and people to talk to about fixing your credit and working towards getting experience for jobs, if needed. (Research your local employment specialist.)

Don't ever be afraid to reach out for help to those that you feel you can trust. And even if they won't help, local churches usually have charities set up to help with clothing, food, and shelter.

7) Life's too short to worry about standards.

Let's recap, people are selfish. You are selfish. Before you get offended, I don't mean it in an offensive way but more of a generalized way. It's the truth, everyone worries about themselves. Half the time, the person starting at you is zoning out.

There is the occasional asshole in the crowd that says something snide, or tries to belittle, but you were made the way you are for a reason. (Refer to Lady Gaga "Born This Way") Life wasn't supposed to end up a competition on who gets the most likes on their posts, or who can twerk the most and finish the most absurd challenges. You were born to experience, make memories to look back on when you're old, to be able to one day lie in your deathbed and tell yourself that you did it. You did everything you wanted in life and you don't regret a minute spent.

Your life is supposed to be natural, full of happiness, surrounded by the things you love, not by the things you use to build yourself into a society pleasing human. Do you, get the haircut you want, go on that trip, cut out the toxic people, and love yourself.

Adulting is hard, but we'll all get through it.💕