Do you remember those childhood days when you couldn’t wait to grow up? Back then, adulthood looked like pure freedom—no bedtime, no school, just endless possibilities! Well, fast forward a few years, and here we are, realizing that adulthood is a bit more complicated than it seemed. Bills, responsibilities, making big decisions… being an adult is no walk in the park. Now that I’ve been through it for a while, here are a few things I wish someone had told me before I became an adult.
1. Budgeting Isn’t Just for Adults, It’s for Everyone
When I first stepped into adulthood, I wasn’t ready for the reality of managing my money. I figured, “Hey, I’ll just spend what I need and figure the rest out later.” Well, that approach didn’t last long! Budgeting is one of the most important skills you’ll need as an adult. Tracking your income, spending, and saving for the future isn’t something you figure out as you go—you need a plan from day one. I wish I had started budgeting sooner, setting aside savings and avoiding unnecessary debt.
2. Credit Cards Are Not Free Money
Speaking of debt, credit cards were one of the biggest wake-up calls for me. I wish I had known how easy it is to fall into the trap of thinking that credit equals cash. It’s tempting to swipe and think, “I’ll pay it off later,” but that interest adds up fast! Learning how to use credit cards responsibly, paying them off in full, and understanding how they affect your credit score is something I wish I knew before becoming an adult. Your future self will thank you for being smart about credit.
3. Self-Care Is Essential, Not Optional
When you’re a kid, you think of adults as people who just get things done, no matter what. But here’s the truth: adults get tired, overwhelmed, and stressed, too. One of the biggest lessons I learned is that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Whether it’s taking a break, getting enough sleep, exercising, or just spending time doing something you love, you have to take care of yourself. I wish I knew how important it was to prioritize my mental and physical health early on.
4. Adult Friendships Require Effort
In school, making friends felt natural. You saw the same people every day, and friendships grew easily. But once you become an adult, maintaining friendships requires more effort. People get busy with work, family, and other responsibilities, and suddenly you realize that keeping in touch takes planning. I wish I had known that staying close with friends as an adult means putting in the effort—whether it’s scheduling regular hangouts or simply checking in. It’s so important to make time for those relationships.
5. You Don’t Have to Have Everything Figured Out
One of the biggest myths about adulthood is that you’re supposed to have your life figured out by a certain age. But the truth is, adulthood is a continuous journey of learning and growing. You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do with your career, have a five-year plan, or have all the answers. I wish I knew that it’s okay to be uncertain and to take things one step at a time. No one has everything figured out, and that’s perfectly normal.
6. Failure Is Part of Growth
As a kid, failure seemed like the worst thing that could happen. But now I know that failure is part of the process of growing up and learning. You will make mistakes, miss opportunities, and sometimes fall short of your goals—and that’s okay. What matters is how you bounce back and what you learn from those experiences. I wish I understood that failure doesn’t define you—it’s how you grow and improve.
7. Time Flies Faster Than You Think
One day you’re celebrating your 18th birthday, and the next, it feels like years have flown by in the blink of an eye. Time goes by quickly in adulthood, and it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind. I wish I had realized how important it is to make time for the things that matter—whether it’s spending time with family, pursuing passions, or traveling. Don’t put things off because life can pass you by quicker than you expect.
8. Comparison Is the Thief of Joy
It’s easy to look at others and feel like you’re behind—whether it’s in your career, personal life, or achievements. But what I wish I knew is that everyone’s path is different, and comparing yourself to others will only make you feel worse. Focus on your own journey and progress. What’s right for someone else may not be right for you, and that’s okay. Celebrate your own victories, no matter how small, and don’t let comparison steal your joy.
9. Learning Never Stops
I used to think that once school was over, the learning would stop. But the truth is, you never stop learning as an adult. Whether it’s learning new skills for your job, figuring out how to manage your finances, or just discovering new things about yourself, adulthood is full of learning experiences. I wish I had known to embrace learning as part of life and to stay curious.
10. There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Adulthood
Everyone’s adulthood looks different. Some people get married young, some focus on their careers, some travel the world—there’s no right or wrong way to be an adult. I wish I knew that it’s okay to follow your own path and make choices that are right for you. Adulthood isn’t about fitting into a mold; it’s about creating the life you want, one step at a time.
Conclusion
Adulthood is full of surprises—some wonderful and some challenging. Looking back, there are so many things I wish I had known before stepping into this new phase of life. But the truth is, being an adult is a journey, and it’s okay to not have all the answers. Hopefully, these insights can help anyone just starting out on their own adult journey. Remember to budget, take care of yourself, stay connected to the people who matter, and most of all, enjoy the ride!
What are your thoughts about the Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became an Adult. Please share in the comments below. I really would love to know.
Until next time, shine amongst the stars!
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Can’t say any louder but yes! Credit cards are not free money and if we don’t learn to use them properly. We can get into a huge trouble.
A terrific list of things to know before becoming an adult in my opinion. I completely agree that budgeting is not only for adults and credit card money isn’t free money.