Your Turn

Let me take you on a journey into what it truly means to be an adult today. Adulting is not just about ticking off a checklist of tasks like paying taxes or understanding your benefits package; it’s a profound mindset of independence, responsibility, and ongoing self-discovery. Imagine standing at a crossroads in a vast landscape where no single path is prescribed. You hold a compass, but the direction you choose is entirely yours. This is the essence of adulting. Gone are the days when finishing school, getting a job, marrying, and having children defined your entry into adulthood. Today, these markers are fluid and personal. Supporting yourself financially and making your own decisions form the core of what it means to be an adult. For example, some may live with family longer due to economic realities, and others may choose not to marry or have children at all. What matters is that you are accountable for your life and choices.

Think about the young adults who define adulting as realizing they can do whatever they want—and then facing the consequences. It’s about cooking your own meals, managing your nutrition, and navigating everyday decisions independently. It’s about faking competence when you’re unsure but standing tall anyway. This mindset is your gateway to freedom.

Remember, there is no ‘right track’ or lockstep plan. Life is a wide-open landscape, and you chart your own course. The Pacific Ocean, the Rocky Mountains, or a bustling city like New York—each represents a different way of living your adult life. Your adulting journey is unique and valid, shaped by your values and dreams.

So, as you step into this new chapter, embrace the freedom to decide who you want to be and how you want to live. Adulting is a process, sometimes messy, often challenging, but deeply rewarding. Now, having understood the mindset, let’s explore what it really means to fend for yourself and take control of your life.