Adult Hood: I Wasn’t Prepared For The Reality

Hello, I’m Deborah and I’m a shocked adult. Who knew cereal was so expensive??? Anyways as I write this, there is rice at home has never been more clearer to me. 

I was slowly eased into adulthood, hence it wasn’t a rude awakening but an awakening regardless. All my life I’d always wanted to be an adult. I was tired of all the adults making the decisions and telling me to do this and do that so I was always eager to grow up. Taking little time to appreciate where I was at the moment and doing all I could to ensure I moved on to the next stage of life, taking me a step closer to adulthood.

Regardless my parents would cuddle me I enjoyed it so I’m not complaining. However, I understand now. They were trying to protect me from adulthood for as long as they could and I appreciate it. They still show up till today whenever they can.

Adulthood was neither a hard lesson I had to learn nor was it something I wasn’t prepared for. However, I focused on the good parts, following my own rules, doing what I wanted to, making my own decisions, going out and coming in whenever I wanted with no curfew I’m barely out so I don’t even know why I was excited for this, now I always want to be inside before sunset and I like to be in my house at decent hours of the day. 

I didn’t realise that being responsible for myself wasn’t going to be easy.

Another thing no one talks about much is adult friendships. I was slowly losing my friends without being confined to a commonplace like church or school. I had to consciously make the decision to reach out to them. 

Friendship became an intentional thing. I’m grateful for the friends still around and the ones I’ve made and lost. 

As an adult, I had to learn these key things;

Intentionality, Consistency, Finances, Sacrifices, Communication

I had to be intentional about getting things done and also had to re-evaluate what I knew about money.

I had a bad relationship with money. I never had to account for my money I knew it was always there. However, as an adult, I have had to start making conscious decisions about money. Learning better money habits and unlearning bad money habits- realising that there is rice at home and that I shouldn’t always spend based on my impulses.

Another thing about adulthood is realising I had to make sacrifices. For the sake of peace, and my sanity I was no longer impulsive as usual. I became more tolerant towards people and situations. I don’t mean complaisant. I’m the least complaisant person you would ever meet. However, I have become more tolerant of things I cannot control. It’s not worth stressing over things beyond your control.

Adulthood isn’t only about sacrifices, it is realising you have the power to make decisions about your life and you should always make the best decisions for yourself. I have removed myself from bad situations I would have otherwise been unable to do previously. I am not settling for less and I’m reaching for the best life can offer.

I love being an adult, I love discovering new shades to myself every quarter, I love being intentional about my relationships, but the most is I love being in charge of my life. I’m steering my ship. I’m doing the things I want to. Definitely doing it afraid but doing it regardless. 

At the end of the day, I’m still a child living an adult life.