Let’s Get One Thing Straight
I’m not some life guru. I’m just a guy named Jake who’s made a lot of mistakes. (A lot.) But after 36 years on this planet, I’ve figured out a few things. Some are big, some are small, and some are just… weird. Like why do we still say ‘you’re on mute’ during Zoom calls? We all know you’re not actually on mute. We just say it to be polite. Which is stupid. But I digress.
Last Tuesday, I was having coffee with my friend Marcus (let’s call him Marcus because his real name is embarrassing). He asked me, ‘Jake, how do you adult so well?’ I laughed so hard I snorted. Which, by the way, is the most undignified sound in the world. But honestly, I don’t adult well. I just adult differently than I used to. And that’s what I’m gonna talk about today.
My Kitchen is a Warzone
I used to think that adulting meant having a clean kitchen. Then I realized that’s a lie society tells us to sell more cleaning products. My kitchen is a disaster zone. There’s a science experiment growing in the sink (it’s been there since March, don’t @ me), and I’m pretty sure that’s not cheese in the fridge anymore. But you know what? I’m okay with that. Because I’ve learned that a clean kitchen doesn’t make you an adult. Paying your bills on time does. And I do that. Mostly.
But here’s the thing about bills: they’re like that annoying friend who always needs money. You know the one. Let’s call him Dave. Dave’s always like, ‘Hey, can you spot me $20?’ And you’re like, ‘Dave, I just gave you $20 last week.’ But you give it to him anyway because you’re a nice person. That’s bills. They’re always there, always needing something. But you pay them because you’re an adult. Or at least, you’re trying to be.
Relationships Are Messy
About three months ago, my girlfriend Sarah and I had a fight. It was one of those stupid fights that start over nothing and escalate into something ridiculous. We were arguing about toothpaste. Yes, toothpaste. She likes the gel kind, I like the paste kind. And suddenly, we’re in this huge debate about texture and flavor and why can’t you just agree on one kind of toothpaste? It was absurd. But it was also real. Relationships are messy. They’re not like the movies where everything is perfect and everyone is beautiful and there’s always a soundtrack. No, relationships are about toothpaste fights and dirty kitchens and bills that need to be paid.
But you know what? I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Because those messy moments? They’re the real moments. They’re the moments that make you feel alive. And that’s what adulting is all about. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being real.
Self-Improvement is a Myth
I used to think that self-improvement was about becoming a better person. Then I realized that’s a lie society tells us to sell more books and seminars. Self-improvement isn’t about becoming a better person. It’s about becoming a different person. And that’s okay. Because change is good. Change is necessary. But it’s also hard. And messy. And sometimes, it’s just plain scary.
But here’s the thing about change: it’s not a straight line. It’s not a journey with a clear beginning, middle, and end. It’s a mess. It’s a series of starts and stops and detours and wrong turns. And that’s okay. Because that’s life. And life is messy. But it’s also beautiful. And it’s also worth it.
So if you’re out there trying to adult, just remember: it’s okay to be messy. It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to not have it all figured out. Because none of us do. We’re all just figuring it out as we go. And that’s okay. Because that’s what adulting is all about.
And if you need some help figuring it out, check out yaşam tarzı günlük gelişim ipuçları. They’ve got some great tips on how to adult better. Or at least, how to adult differently.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it. My 87 thoughts on adulting. Some are serious, some are silly, and some are just plain weird. But they’re all real. And they’re all mine. And that’s okay. Because that’s what adulting is all about. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being real. And that’s what I’m gonna keep doing. Being real. Even if it’s messy. Even if it’s hard. Even if it’s scary. Because that’s what life is all about.
And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a science experiment to throw out. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll finally clean my kitchen. Or not. We’ll see.
About the Author
Jake Thompson is a writer, a thinker, and a professional adult. He’s been writing for 15 years, and he’s still not sure what he’s doing. But he’s having fun figuring it out. When he’s not writing, he’s probably procrastinating. Or eating pizza. Or both. You can find him on Twitter @JakeThompsonWrites, where he tweets about writing, adulting, and pizza. And sometimes, all three at once.
