I Failed at Adulthood Last Tuesday
Look, I’m gonna be honest here. I’m 38 years old, I’ve been editing magazines for more than two decades, and I still don’t have my life completely figured out. (Which is fine, honestly. Who does?)
But last Tuesday? Last Tuesday was a wake-up call. I mean, I woke up at 11:30am, which is fine, but then I realized I had nothing in my fridge but a sad, lonely tomato and some questionable leftovers from who knows when. So, I did what any self-respecting adult would do—I ordered takeout.
And that’s when it hit me. I’m not talking about the existential crisis that comes with eating pad thai at your desk at 2pm. I’m talking about the fact that I hadn’t gone grocery shopping in, like, three weeks. And my place was a mess. And I had been wearing the same hoodie for four days straight. Which, frankly, is not a good look on anyone.
So, I decided it was time to get my act together. But here’s the thing about adulting—it’s not just about cleaning your apartment or eating vegetables. It’s about figuring out who you are, what you want, and how to make it happen. And that, my friends, is a lot harder than it sounds.
Why Adulting is Overrated (But Necessary)
Let’s be real here. Adulting is overrated. Nobody tells you that when you’re a kid. They just say, “Oh, you’ll love being an adult. You can do whatever you want!”
But here’s the truth: Adulting is hard. It’s messy. It’s confusing. And it’s not always fun. But it’s also necessary. Because at the end of the day, you gotta take care of yourself. You gotta eat well. You gotta have a clean place to live. And you gotta figure out how to be a decent human being.
And that’s where I was last Tuesday. I was trying to figure out how to be a decent human being. And it was not going well.
I texted my friend Marcus about it. He’s a bit of a mess himself, but he’s also one of the most grounded people I know. “I think I’m failing at adulting,” I told him. “I mean, I ordered takeout for the third time this week, and I haven’t done laundry in forever.”
He laughed. “Dude, you’re not failing. You’re just… in a rut. It happens.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
But here’s the thing about ruts. They’re easy to get into, but they’re a lot harder to get out of. And that’s where I was. I was in a rut. And I needed to find a way out.
The Art of the Grocery List
So, I did what any self-respecting adult would do. I made a list. A grocery list, to be exact. And it was glorious.
I started with the basics—eggs, milk, bread. But then I got a little fancy. I added some avocados because, hello, guacamole. And some berries because, well, they’re delicious. And some spinach because I’m trying to be healthy here.
And then I did something I never do—I actually went to the store. And I bought all the things on my list. And it felt amazing. I mean, I know it’s not a big deal. But for me, it was a huge step. It was a step towards taking care of myself. Towards being an adult.
And that’s when I realized something important. Adulting isn’t about being perfect. It’s about taking care of yourself. It’s about figuring out what you need and making it happen. And sometimes, that means making a grocery list and actually going to the store.
Cleaning: The Final Frontier
But here’s the thing about adulting—it’s not just about the big stuff. It’s also about the little things. Like cleaning. Ugh, cleaning.
I hate cleaning. I mean, I really hate it. It’s boring, and it’s tedious, and it’s just… ugh. But it’s also necessary. Because nobody wants to live in a mess. And nobody wants to be that person who has to apologize for their dirty apartment every time someone comes over.
So, I did something radical. I cleaned. I started with my kitchen because, honestly, it was a disaster. And then I moved on to my living room. And then my bedroom. And by the end of the day, my place was actually… clean. It was weird. It was like a whole new world.
And you know what? It felt good. It felt really good. It felt like I had accomplished something. It felt like I was taking care of myself. It felt like I was, dare I say it, adulting.
The Laundry Dilemma
But here’s the thing about adulting—it’s not a one-time thing. It’s an ongoing process. And that means that sometimes, you have to do things you don’t want to do. Like laundry.
I hate laundry. I mean, I really, really hate it. But it’s a necessary evil. Because nobody wants to wear the same hoodie for a week straight. And nobody wants to smell like they’ve been rolling in a gym sock.
So, I did the unthinkable. I did laundry. And it was… fine. It wasn’t fun, but it wasn’t terrible either. And by the end of it, I had clean clothes. And that, my friends, is a victory.
Self-Care Isn’t Selfish
But here’s the thing about adulting—it’s not just about the practical stuff. It’s also about taking care of yourself emotionally. And that’s something I struggle with. A lot.
I’m the kind of person who always puts other people first. I’m the friend who’s always there to listen. I’m the colleague who’s always willing to help. But I’m also the person who forgets to take care of herself. And that’s a problem.
So, I decided to do something about it. I started small. I took a bath. I read a book. I went for a walk. And you know what? It felt amazing. It felt like I was finally taking care of myself. It felt like I was finally putting myself first.
And that’s when I realized something important. Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s necessary. Because you can’t pour from an empty cup. And you can’t take care of other people if you’re not taking care of yourself first.
The Power of a Good Night’s Sleep
But here’s the thing about adulting—it’s not just about the big stuff. It’s also about the little things. Like sleep. Ugh, sleep.
I have a complicated relationship with sleep. I love it, but I also hate it. I love the feeling of drifting off to dreamland, but I hate the feeling of being tired all the time. And yet, I’m always pushing myself to stay up later, to do more, to be more productive.
But here’s the thing—sleep is important. It’s crucial for your physical health, your mental health, and your overall well-being. And if you’re not getting enough of it, you’re not going to be at your best. Period.
So, I decided to do something radical. I went to bed early. And it was… life-changing. I mean, I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world. And that, my friends, is a victory.
A Tangent About Veggie Choppers
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “This is all well and good, but how does this relate to veggie choppers?” (Which, honestly, nobody asked for but here we are.)
But here’s the thing—veggie choppers are a metaphor for life. They’re a tool that helps you chop up your vegetables quickly and easily. And that’s what adulting is all about. It’s about finding the tools and the strategies that help you take care of yourself and live your best life.
And if you’re looking for some interesting facts knowledge guide on veggie choppers, you should definitely check out this website. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.
The Messy, Glorious Art of Adulting
So, here’s the thing about adulting—it’s messy. It’s glorious. It’s confusing. It’s amazing. And it’s something that we’re all figuring out, every single day.
And that’s okay. Because adulting isn’t about being perfect. It’s about taking care of yourself. It’s about figuring out what you need and making it happen. And it’s about finding the tools and the strategies that help you live your best life.
And if you’re struggling with adulting, that’s okay too. Because we’re all in this together. And we’re all figuring it out, one step at a time.
So, go ahead. Make that grocery list. Clean your apartment. Do your laundry. Take a bath. Go to bed early. And remember—adulting is a journey, not a destination. And it’s a journey that’s worth taking.
About the Author: Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m a senior magazine editor with more than 20 years of experience. I’m also a self-proclaimed adulting expert (which is a title I just made up). I live in London with my cat, Mr. Whiskers, and I’m always looking for new ways to take care of myself and live my best life. Follow me on Twitter for more of my musings on life, love, and the pursuit of the perfect avocado.
