Top 23+ People Reveal the Highs and Lows of Adulting

As kids, we dream of adulthood—no rules, total freedom! But once we grow up, we often miss the simplicity of youth. Apparently, we always want what we can't have. So, does adulting really improve life? Let these comments decide!

23. Have Your Cake And Eat It Too

One of the perks of being an adult is that you’re completely in control. Living alone means you can do whatever you want in your own space and no one’s there to witness it. You can sing as loud as you want in the shower, you can cook dinner undressed. The list is endless.

22. A Gift Giver

The transition from a gift giver to a gift receiver is a tricky one. It always seems to happen quite suddenly. One day you wake up and realize that you’re expected to contribute to the pile of presents under the Christmas tree. The holiday season changes from a time of free stuff to a time of expensive shopping.

20. The Slowing Of Your Metabolism

Adulting makes it hard to stay in shape. You don’t have required physical education classes to go to, or your fast metabolism. If you want to stay in shape you have to make time to go to the gym or workout class. It has to become an active part of your schedule. And the privilege to eat an entire box of Oreos in one sitting without gaining weight goes away fast.

19. External Energy

When you’re young, getting a coffee from a place like Starbucks can be the highlight of your day. Getting to pick your frappuccino flavor makes you feel all grown up. You don’t buy the drink for the energy it gives you, you buy it for the look, the taste, and the coolness factor. But part of adulting is being tired a lot of the time. That cool white chocolate mocha frappuccino starts to seem more like a milkshake and less like something to wake you up.

17. Hosting The Holidays

Traveling home from college to join your family’s holiday celebrations is one of the best parts of vacation. You’re served good food, given presents and a place to sleep, all with no charge. Some people even get to take home leftovers. You don’t have to worry about the decorations, planning, or execution. You just have to show up.

16. Puberty Prolonged

Dealing with teenage acne can feel like the end of the world. All of a sudden your baby-smooth skin becomes riddled with spots. You have to have the daily battle with yourself over how or if you want to cover it up. Acne doesn’t make you feel any prettier. And during a time where your looks are changing it doesn’t help your confidence. The only hope is that it’ll go away once you’re an adult.

14. The Front Lawn

A big part of stereotypical adulthood is buying a house. The decision to settle down, take on a mortgage, and have the white picket fence are all pieces of the adult dream. But a front and back yard often come along with such a purchase. And many are at a loss of what to do with it. Sometimes you inherit a lovely front yard, and other times you find yourself dealing with a jungle.

13. Money Money Money

This insight into adulthood is a bit mysterious. Many older people complain about all of the complications and disappointments that come with money. They list off taxes, bills, debt, credit fees, and more as the reasons behind much of their stress. But this person seems to be offering an alternative option. Or perhaps they are referencing all the tax evasion that’s successfully pulled off.

11. Treated Like An Adult

When people finally trust you to make good decisions and take you seriously you feel so much freer. Your desires and thoughts don’t have to go through any filters. You don’t have to ask permission for things, you can just do them. Looking older means you’re treated differently. But this blessing can also be a curse. With great responsibility comes higher stakes.

10. Consequences Of Drinking

Many people do a ridiculous amount of drinking in high school and college. So much so that it’s become a stereotype for many universities. Especially ones that have a “party school” reputation. But once you hit your late twenties and thirties, partying hard starts to have more significant consequences. Unless you have an incredible tolerance for alcohol, it becomes a lot less fun to down several cocktails in one night.

8. Bathroom Blues

This piece of adulting advice definitely comes from experience. You just know this person had a wild disaster one day and had to run out to get plunger in a complete panic. The situation could probably have been avoided, or at least less dramatic, if they had already had one at home. Always buy things like this BEFORE you need them.

7. The Secret To A Good Job

When people think of the skills they need to be good at a job, they often think about the requirements listed in the offer. While it’s important to be a good professional fit for the role a company wants to fill, your resume isn’t the only thing they’re looking at. You have to get past at least one interview too.

5. Something Rotten

When you’re not in charge of buying groceries it can feel like food magically appears in the refrigerator. Fresh fruits and vegetables just materialize when you want them. But once you live alone you’re in charge of all the food shopping. And that responsibility comes with timing. Vegetables don’t stay fresh forever. If you don’t use them you lose them.

4. Parents Aren’t Gods

When you’re little, your parents are almost like superheroes in your eyes. They seem to have all the answers. They can help you when you’re sad or in trouble, take care of you when you’re sick, and guide you in times of need. During teenage years the rose-tinted glasses for your parents goes away. Often, you start to see them as a villain.

2. Short But Not So Sweet

Rent payments often create a lot of stress. It’s an expense that stays consistent and never goes away. Rent is never just the number you sign the lease for. There are always other things added to it, like electricity, gas, water bills and more. If you’re struggling with rent you might welcome the offer to have it reduced for just one month.