We like to think that we’re ready to take on the real world when we leave the nest, so to speak, but sometimes we’re not…and life kicks the s**t out of us.
What adult problems were you not prepared for?
Here’s what AskReddit users had to say about this.
Take a look…
1. True.
“The lack of end dates.
In primary school, high school and university your time is constantly demarcated with terms, semesters, school years, all indicating when you can have a break and move on.
Then all of a sudden you’re an adult in your first permanent job or with a long term partner having to grapple with the realisation that the only way these end is if you end it (quitting the job/dumping your partner) or if they do (firing you/them dumping you).
Going from basically everything having natural ends to something being for the rest of your life or until someone directly intervenes is overwhelming, in my opinion.”
2. Going through changes.
“I’m closer to fifty than forty, would have been nice to be better prepared for some of the ways your body starts to change at this point that don’t normally get talked about.
For instance your teeth will start to shift from general aging of your gums.”
3. You nailed it!
“I didn’t know that other adults have the emotional intelligence of teenagers and it’s almost impossible to deal with logically.”
4. Tired.
“Getting burned out.
Please send help.
How do you even deal with this? I’m in my mid-30s and I feel like I’ve been burnt out on everything for ages now. It’s all just depression all the way down.”
5. Draining.
“The care of an elderly, sick parent is draining. My husband and I never had any children.
This is the most responsibility we have ever had. Unlike a child, who becomes more and more independent each day, the infirmed need more care as the days go by.”
6. Maintenance.
“Life is all about maintenance.
Your body, your house, your relationships, everything requires constant never ending maintenance.”
7. Growing apart.
“Almost all of your friends wont be life long. No one really talks about how common it is to lose touch with people or grow apart.
Most of your life will be spent either making new friends while losing old ones or being alone.”
8. It’s real now.
“You are held to account for bad behaviour for which you are negligent even if you had no intention to cause harm.
As a lawyer, I see this all the time. People don’t think they’re responsible for mistakes. You are.”
9. Happens to the best of us.
“How easy it is to feel stuck in a bad situation (job, relationship, etc) just because the cost and effort of getting out can seem daunting.
And sometimes you just have to accept a figurative bowl full of s**t because you can’t afford to blow up your life.”
10. Can be hard to find.
“Figuring out what makes you happy.
Everyone keeps trying to get you to do things you’re good at, or that makes you money, but never to pursue what you enjoy.”
11. What now?
“Lack of purpose.
All your young life you are given purpose of passing exams and learning, then all of a sudden you are thrown into the world and told to find your own meaning.”
12. You gotta budget.
“One adult problem nobody prepared me for is how expensive everything is.
I always thought that as an adult I would be able to afford the things I wanted, but it turns out that’s not always the case!
I’ve had to learn how to budget and save up for the things I want, and it’s been a difficult process.”
What do you think about this?
Let us know in the comments.
Thanks a lot!
