Mastering Adulthood: Embracing The 5 Key Pillars of “Adulting”
Hey twentysomething!
You’ve got the degree.
You’ve got a job.
You’re an adult now, right? Everybody says so.
But what does that even mean and what should you be focusing on in your life when everything seems new and everybody has advice to give you.
It's time to grab life by the steering wheel and navigate the sometimes murky waters of adulthood with confidence and finesse. Here is a framework to help you keep track of things to focus on.
The 5 Key Pillars of Adulting
1. Doing Things for Yourself
Adulting 101 starts with taking responsibility for your own life. This means mastering the art of laundry (goodbye, pink socks!), learning to cook beyond cereal, and even tackling that pesky IKEA flat-pack furniture without shedding tears of frustration. It's about self-sufficiency, independence, and the liberating feeling of accomplishing tasks on your own. It’s also about setting a vision for your life that is about what you want rather than just what family and others want for you.
2. Building Connection and Community
As social creatures, humans thrive on connection. Adulting isn't just about solo missions; it's about nurturing meaningful relationships and building your tribe. Whether it's joining a local book club, volunteering at a community center, joining a professional networking group or simply chatting with your neighbors over a backyard barbecue, fostering connections enriches your life, strengthens your support network and links you to potential career opportunities.
3. Pausing to Reflect…And Then Making Necessary Changes
Life moves fast, but adulting requires us to hit the pause button occasionally. Reflection is the secret sauce that turns everyday experiences into valuable life lessons. Take time to assess where you've been, where you are, and where you're headed. Make sure you take the time to pause and reflect to see if you are on the right path towards your hopes and goals–and make the changes you need to make if you are not.
4. Developing Financial Independence
Ah, money—adulting's unavoidable companion. Achieving financial independence means more than just paying bills on time (though that's crucial). It's about budgeting like a pro, saving for rainy days (and sunny vacations), and understanding the basics of financial benefits your job might be offering you, investments and retirement planning. Mastering your finances empowers you to live life on your own terms.
5. Learning Skills and Developing Interests
Adulting isn't about knowing it all from the get-go; it's about the journey of continuous learning and growth. Sometimes this means more schooling to learn specialized skills. It can also mean embracing the chance to learn something new—whether it's coding, gardening, speaking a new language, or mastering the perfect sourdough bread. Cultivate your passions and interests, because curiosity keeps life exciting and your mind sharp. Having something you are interested in an excited about makes connecting to others easier. It also is the doorway to new adventures.
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Not sure where to start? Give us a buzz at What Comes Next and we can help you think through areas of adulting that you want to work on to help you live the life you’ve always wanted.
