Adulting (v): to behave in an adult manner; engage in activities associated with adulthood.
You’ve likely heard the term ‘adulting.’ You may have even joked about how adulting is hard. Although transitioning into true adulthood after college isn’t easy, there’s no reason you can’t dominate adulting. Here are some common adulting struggles and ways to turn them into strengths.
1. Not having deadlines.
After graduating, you shift away from hard deadlines – like a senior thesis due date – to having life goals, like the desire to score your dream job in the near future. This shift can make you question how long it should take to achieve your professional goals. Accomplishing these goals can take time, and will likely require focus and determination. Set realistic timelines and be flexible if the timeline changes. If you have the drive to succeed, you will!
2. Figuring out finances.
Adults must properly finance their own lives. It can be difficult to know how much you should be saving versus spending. To understand your financial situation, first learn of available resources to answer these questions. Many companies offer financial assistance to employees. This is the perfect opportunity to ask questions about your 401k or about ideal savings goals. Many banks and credit unions also offer free consultations to their members. Take initiative to learn key information about your finances. You will feel much better when you have your finances under control.
3. Professional failure.
There will come a time in your professional life when you need to take a risk, like offering to take on more responsibility or applying for a promotion. It’s easy to get into a professional rut that’s secure and comfortable. If you find yourself in this situation and are unhappy, it’s time to make a change. Instead of worrying about failure, see this as an opportunity to grow professionally. The effort will pay off. Even if you don’t get the promotion or added responsibility, your boss will know you have the drive to succeed!
4. Handling health insurance.
Do you know what type of health insurance you have or what to do if there’s a discrepancy on your hospital bill? Don’t feel bad if you answered no. Instead of feeling terrified of health insurance unknowns, tackle them head-on. Add researching your health care coverage to your to-do list. You’ll find health insurance isn’t as scary when you understand the basics.
5. Doing things solo.
You may be used to doing everything with a roommate or another person. But, work schedules and other life commitments can get in the way of spending every free minute with someone. Instead of panicking when you are solo, consider it a chance to relax and enjoy ‘me’ time. It will be an adjustment at first, but you may find you need alone time to recharge, especially as a working professional.
Life transitions are natural and adulting is here to stay. So, take it on like a pro!
