Reaching a particular number of years of enduring existence on this planet might make you an adult on your birth certificate, but in attitude, things can get a little more opaque. We don’t all ‘grow up’ in the same way, and life lessons are learned at a different pace.
Adulthood is tough. You are expected to be capable of balancing your career, personal life, physical and mental health while also managing to get enough sleep – and that’s just for starters. However, while various factors contribute to one’s maturity, there are some practical, proactive ways that you can tackle life head one as an adult. Let’s explore.
LEARN THE BASICS OF FINANCE
Money management is one of the most important adulting skills, as it can help you secure a better financial future. You can start by learning the basics of finance from online courses like those on Investopedia, or if you want to learn about personal finance in a more engaging way, then you can always check out podcasts on investing like Marketplace Money and Freakonomics Radio.
It’s also a sensible, responsible approach to keep a close eye on your daily, weekly and monthly outgoings, via a simple excel spreadsheet or more something in-depth, by using financial software apps. Some of the best include You Need A Budget, Moneydance, and AceMoney.
Developing healthy financial habits is one of the most important life skills any adult can learn.
TAKE YOUR HEALTH SERIOUSLY
When you were a child, your parents took care of your medical needs by taking you to the doctors and making sure that you got regular checkups. As an adult, however, it is your responsibility to take care of your body and health.
Make sure that you schedule regular medical checkups, including dental checkups, annual physical examinations and even a sexual health test, as well as eye checkups, blood tests, cholesterol tests, and more. This will help you catch any potential health issues early enough to enable you to take necessary action before they become a more serious problem. Prevention is better than cure, after all.
Read: 6 ways to take control of your help
DON’T BE TOO PROUD TO ASK FOR HELP
One of the key elements of adulthood is being able to accept and acknowledge your weaknesses. And in order to be able to do that, you have to learn how to ask for help when you need it. Doing so doesn’t mean that you are weak or incapable; it just means that you are a person who is brave enough to admit that you can’t do everything alone.
In fact, asking for help can be a sign of strength, and helps you build resilience and fortitude over time. Stepping out of your comfort zone, and opening yourself up to different insights and viewpoints can do wonders for your outlook.
TREAT SLEEP WITH THE RESPECT IT DESERVES
The value of a good night’s rest cannot be emphasised enough. So, we’ll emphasise it again, for those nodding off at the back; sleep is essential in reducing stress and approaching adult life with the clarity of thought that it demands.
This is because it is the time for your body to regulate cortisol (the stress hormone) levels. As if by magic, you will be biologically less stressed when you have enjoyed a regular run of proper, restful sleep. You’ll also notice better levels of concentration, focus and foresight, all of which are essential for tackling the adult world. Most adults need 7-9 hours each night, which is the ideal range you should aim for.
PRACTICE SELF-COMPASSION
Being an adult means being able to separate yourself from your emotions so that you can make rational decisions. Although we live in a world that values rational thinking, there is no denying the fact that emotions play an important role in our lives.
The key to managing them is self-compassion. When we struggle with putting our emotions into perspective and dealing with difficult situations, we often become defensive and critical towards ourselves. Self-compassion helps us put it all in perspective and deal with our problems in a healthy way.
WRITE DOWN YOUR GOALS AND TRACK YOUR PROGRESS
When you were younger, your parents and teachers helped you set goals for yourself and motivated you to achieve them. Now that you are an adult, however, it is your responsibility to set goals for yourself and find ways to achieve them. One way to do this is by writing down your goals in a journal or planner and tracking your progress by noting what you have achieved each day or each week. It will keep you motivated, accountable, and focused on achieving your goals, which is what it’s all about, right?
THE BOTTOM LINE
While there is no one single definition of adulthood, there are many universal life lessons that every person must learn to become a real adult. These lessons include learning to ask for help, managing your finances, practicing self-compassion, controlling your health, and tracking your life goals. So, are you ready to tackle the responsibilities of an adult head on?