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What is the hardest part about becoming a grown-up?
Diffucult to provide for yourself?
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10 answers
Updated
Dina’s Answer
The transition into adulthood is just that - a transition! Along with any transition comes some hurdles. For some people, there is one defining moment that turns them into "a grown up" while for others it is a gradual process. Gaining more autonomy or control over your decisions is a sign of increasing independence. Autonomy can be simultaneously rewarding and intimidating. Many people struggle with budgeting and making financial decisions. Here are a few tips to ease that transition:
1. Even before you become an adult, you can learn the prices for every day things. For example, pay attention to gas prices for a month and notice how much it would cost to fill up a small car once per week.
2. When you turn 18, open a bank account. Preferably, one that does not require a minimum balance or have fees. If you have a credit card, only buy items that you can afford based on the amount of money that you have in the bank.
3. Limit the number of things that you buy. An essential part of budgeting is buying fewer items in the first place. Some sales might seem appealing, but if you don't need the item, then you are still spending unnecessary money.
There are many resources and people who are ready to support your transition into adulthood. You can always reach out to the right people for help!
Check out your city or state government website to find out about financial aid resources in your area.
In the United States, you can also contact 311 for advice on local shelters, access to food, childcare arrangements, loans, and other topics to meet your financial goals.
1. Even before you become an adult, you can learn the prices for every day things. For example, pay attention to gas prices for a month and notice how much it would cost to fill up a small car once per week.
2. When you turn 18, open a bank account. Preferably, one that does not require a minimum balance or have fees. If you have a credit card, only buy items that you can afford based on the amount of money that you have in the bank.
3. Limit the number of things that you buy. An essential part of budgeting is buying fewer items in the first place. Some sales might seem appealing, but if you don't need the item, then you are still spending unnecessary money.
There are many resources and people who are ready to support your transition into adulthood. You can always reach out to the right people for help!
Dina recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
I think the realization that you are going to get out of life what you put into it. The more you invest in yourself (educations, skill building, surrounding yourself with quality people), the better chance you have at being successful. Tricky thing is that you can do everything "right" and you will still have tough patches. Finding appreciation in what you have and lessons in the tough times will balance that out.
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Raya’s Answer
Each life stage has its own pleasant and challenging moments. If you start implementing life-wheel balance at early stages; the adulthood phase would be more controlled.
By time, responsibilities become more serious and require high levels of maturity. Adulthood comes in three stages ; early, middle and late. The more you learn during these stages and the more responsibility you take for your own decision with an inclusive and open-minded approach, adulthood will be an interesting life phase where you work on your own achievements and continue to succeed in life.
By time, responsibilities become more serious and require high levels of maturity. Adulthood comes in three stages ; early, middle and late. The more you learn during these stages and the more responsibility you take for your own decision with an inclusive and open-minded approach, adulthood will be an interesting life phase where you work on your own achievements and continue to succeed in life.
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
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Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
For me it was moving out from my parents sheltered environment and into an environment in which I made my own decisions.
Believe me, it was difficult because you make mistakes and your family is not always there to help alleviate the adversity. I was fortunate, because the mistakes that I made were not devastating enough to create a permanent setback. I recovered and progressed forward in my life. Others that I know were not so lucky. They got into difficulty or a bad environment, and their self esteem took a beating. As a result they were hesitant to take another risk, which could have led to them achieving their goals. I think finding the right environment, where you can utilize your skills in a positive and progressive way is important for success. Finding the right one can be a challenge in life. But when you do, things subsequently get better.
Believe me, it was difficult because you make mistakes and your family is not always there to help alleviate the adversity. I was fortunate, because the mistakes that I made were not devastating enough to create a permanent setback. I recovered and progressed forward in my life. Others that I know were not so lucky. They got into difficulty or a bad environment, and their self esteem took a beating. As a result they were hesitant to take another risk, which could have led to them achieving their goals. I think finding the right environment, where you can utilize your skills in a positive and progressive way is important for success. Finding the right one can be a challenge in life. But when you do, things subsequently get better.
Updated
Jayda’s Answer
Every phase of life brings with it changes and fresh hurdles. The shift into adulthood is often a gradual journey, not an immediate transformation. Life is full of distractions, and adulthood is no exception. Steering through these distractions can be a tough task when you're an adult. A helpful strategy is to invest time in truly understanding yourself and establishing your identity. Reflect on your beliefs, principles, values, and top priorities, and let these elements guide your decisions as an adult. This approach will help you maintain focus and resist the distractions that life constantly presents.
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Kim’s Answer
Each hurdle in life prepares you for the next, so, hopefully, the hurdles don't all come in rapid succession!
Things that I found hard: "pushing through" when I was sick or tired, because of various reasons - my child was performing in a play and I "had" to be there; my job did not provide sick leave and I needed the money, etc.
Taking responsibility for my decisions and actions. If I lost $5000 in the stock market because I took the advice of a friend, it was not the friend's fault - it was my decision.
Getting my parents to see me as an adult and treat me as an adult.
Finding and selecting contractors for home repair projects.
Being respectful towards people I despise when in a social setting, funeral, etc.
good question!!
Things that I found hard: "pushing through" when I was sick or tired, because of various reasons - my child was performing in a play and I "had" to be there; my job did not provide sick leave and I needed the money, etc.
Taking responsibility for my decisions and actions. If I lost $5000 in the stock market because I took the advice of a friend, it was not the friend's fault - it was my decision.
Getting my parents to see me as an adult and treat me as an adult.
Finding and selecting contractors for home repair projects.
Being respectful towards people I despise when in a social setting, funeral, etc.
good question!!
Updated
Yvette’s Answer
For me, the hardest part of becoming an adult is balancing all the responsibilities that come with it. I found that university was a good stepping stone this, as well as getting a part-time job while being a student. If you can handle this, post-graduation adulthood will feel like a breeze!
It's all about balance - balancing school, work, time for yourself, your hobbies, friends, and family. You'll soon learn what you need to feel balanced, and most of all don't be afraid to say "no" to make sure you have enough time for yourself. I hope that was helpful!
It's all about balance - balancing school, work, time for yourself, your hobbies, friends, and family. You'll soon learn what you need to feel balanced, and most of all don't be afraid to say "no" to make sure you have enough time for yourself. I hope that was helpful!
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Haley’s Answer
This is a great question! For me, the hardest part about being an adult was learning to manage my finances. Given that our education system often doesn't cover this, it can be challenging to handle your finances independently for the first time. My top suggestion would be to establish a simple budget and set a fixed time every week to review it and reflect on your spending habits. There are a ton of budgeting methods out there that you can choose from. However, implementing a basic system to regularly check on your finances can lead to success!
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Deborah’s Answer
What a great question! I think you have already taken a very adult step...asking the question! Asking others for opinions or input especially about providing for myself is probably the best thing I have ever done for me. Even when life hands me lemons, I have always been able to figure out what to do with them by asking others for help or an opinion. I did not take every piece of advice I have ever been given, but listening to others and how they overcame life's difficulties gave me lots of ideas on how to do it for myself. Asking for help can be very difficult, but it is a skill I have been glad I have developed over the years...I still ask a lot of questions!
Keep asking this question to people you trust, teachers, family members, even folks your own age who look like they have it together!
Stay open to opportunities that come your way and don't forget to ASK for opportunities as well!
Deborah recommends the following next steps:
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Nicolas’s Answer
The hardest part about being a grown up is having other grown ups tell you how to move forward, be productive, and simply be. Everyone feels the need to have a hand in the motivational factor and if it's not about that they create a facade about being productive using that as a tool to hurt feelings of people, not necessarily stagnate, but who will never see their full potential all while doing their own thing and building their own life. While this may seem negative, it is a fact that social media & businesses have impacted our minds in this way when in reality we should be pushing to build lives with each other, and set those expectations rather than force the premise on others less fortunate.