Picture of me taken 600 years ago at MoMA by Julia Gazdag.
I wrote something for Hello Giggles that will be out tomorrow/in a few days called “Top ten ways to tell you’re an adult.” (Oh hay in the mean time check out the other things I’ve written for Hello Giggles, and it will open in a window so you can read it right after this, don’t even worry about it, friend.) It made me think a lot. I don’t usually think a lot, it’s easier to just do stuff and then apologize. (<– just tweeted the fuck out of this.) I had to really think about how I’ve changed in the last few years and the whole process was so meaningful and inspiring, like a tampon commercial. It wasn’t as sad as I thought it would be. I say sad because recently I turned into someone who cares about their age and I hate it. I blame everything and everyone but myself. So sometimes looking back can be a little frightening.
Do adults feel like adults, ever? Will I reach a point where I look down and think, “I just balanced the shit out of that checkbook.” I really don’t want to. I like buying things and occasionally checking what’s up with my money, and hoping it all works out. I like to do stupid guff that makes me feel like a kid.
Guys I am Tom Hanksing the fuck out of this situation. You know, Big. I don’t mean that I am a little kid named Josh trapped in a boyishly good looking 30 something man. But close! I am little Uncle Almie with her long messy tangled fringed hair under a Mickey Mouse cap stuck in grown Almie’s body. Unfortunately, it’s not cute for me to act like this. I’ve reached the age where it is not acceptable to act like I don’t know how to act like an adult. Indoor voices. And I’m too old to pretend that I don’t know better.
And that’s how I know I’m an adult.
When and how did you realize you were an adult?
I was more of an adult at 19 than I am now. Like the Dylan lyrics.
How so?
UGH me too.
I was ON IT when I was in my teenage years and early 20s. Super responsible, awesome job, in school, I did it all. I felt like I had to be because my parents died when I was 10 (not to be a Debbie Downer but it is relevant to my story) I even had my own apartment in HIGH SCHOOL and could excuse myself. !!!! I guess I really didn’t have a choice at the time. The funny things is…it is like I am going through some sort of backwards growth cycle. It has taken me years to learn what youth is… and now that I finally have I’m doing all of the things I should have done in my early 20s. It is SO WEIRD. I don’t feel 28, in fact even typing it looks bizarro. I feel 22 and like I just started to stop being so serious all the damn time and just HAVE A GOOD TIME.
Balance a checkbook? Whack. A stack of bills? I don’t even want to open them!!!
YES I WANT TO SPEND EVERY LAST DIME on books, or shoes, or clothes, or that last minute trip to the Virgin Islands because dammit it is my birthday!!!
At the same time, there is that little voice in my head that says “You shouldn’t be doing this…you should make that other decision”
I figure since I never got the opportunity to be ‘young’ that I’m giving myself a little time to really get what that feels like. You can be ‘young’ minded for the rest of your life, keep your responsibilities to a minimum, but still be RESPONSIBLE for yourself and your actions.
There’s not much more I can say to this other than, you hit the nail on the head. And do people still say that? Anyway, be proud of yourself, because not everyone can rise to the occasion of having to grow up so fast. But it’s never too late to feel young, that’s for damn sure. Just look at Oprah. She’s having the time of her life.
hell yeah, grey’s anatomy quote!
i’ve been fighting this really long battle in which i take two big adult steps forward and then I revolt by taking five childish steps back. I don’t want to grow up. But I do. But mostly I don’t.
So well phrased. I miss you!
I just got towels for Christmas and was super excited about buying a new (vintage) coffee table. And then we bought a new bed from Macy’s like, with the salesman and everything.
I feel like an adult NOW.
We got a badass over here!
Your Tom Hanks crush is ridiculous. And by “ridiculous”, I mean “AWESOME”.
I’ll get back to you with an answer to your question soon.
It’s not a crush, it’s just a heaping amount of respect and majesty. Like…I want to be 80s Tom Hanks. Or just…watch it all unfold again. Splash. Big. You know?
I still don’t think I’m an adult. I got bills and a job and responsibility and all that good stuff, but I still like to sit on my ass all day when possible and make jokes about fecal matter and eat ice cream. And I hope that never changes.
If it changes you’ve failed yourself.
My mind is sooooo young but my liver is sooooo old 🙁
adults are for losers! ha
as long as you stay away from being a serious asshole, you don’t have to worry about growing up too much
I think don’t be an asshole is good advice in general.
I had this realization several months ago. I was just going about my day, and then it hits me. I’m 25, I’ve graduated college, I live on my own, I pay my own bills, I moved to a city where I didn’t know a single person, I got a job all on my own. I realized I became an adult without even noticing. And I’m still freaking out about it.
Are you at peace with it now? Even just a little?
ohmygod, I am so glad that I am not the only ‘probably the most immature 26 year old in the group’ . I really was more grown up when I was 19 too – I have forgotten more about 401K than I have dollars in my 401K. Just botched a job interview for the first time this week, because I didn’t ‘represent myself well’. Fuck … and a big sigh. And another, Fuck. I guess I’m too old to say ‘Fuck’ now. Imagine that.
No one is ever too old enough to say fuck! Some are too young, even.
It wasn’t really anything I did but I really started to feel old this year when a girl I used to babysit became a senior in high school. That really blew my mind. Also this year teenagers really started to annoy me. Not that they are doing anything in particular, just being loud and obnoxious and walking down the mall in a wall so that no one else can. I really hope I wasnt that stupid. Yea i definately was
“It wasn’t really anything I did but I really started to feel old this year when a girl I used to babysit became a senior in high school.” THAT’LL DO.
I realized I was becoming an adult when I stopped drinking so much, started saving my money, and started waking up at 6am and going to bed by 10pm. 😛
That’ll do it!
I think I first felt like an adult when I started teaching. Nothing like a class of kiddoes to put things into sharp perspective!
Outside of school, however, I feel more 13 than 31 most of the time.
I bet. How old was/is your class? Like what year?
Grow up, not old.
Like.
You know those cameras at Walgreen’s where you see yourself walk into the store? Well, I saw that one day and as I saw the back angle of me I realized “Holy crap I’m going bald!” That’s when I realized I was an adult.
bwuahahahahhaaa
when i got my first hemorrhoid
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