Entering Adulthood and the Expectations of Taking up Responsibility

Entering Adulthood and the Expectations of Taking up Responsibility

When we are 17, there is a rush and excitement of turning 18, a legal adult. Adulthood is usually connected to age, but as time passes and you grow older, you realise adulthood is a state of mind, and has little to do with age. But everyone time you take the initiative and be responsible, you are preparing yourself for the future. Being in college gives you a sense of security, but the moment you step out, you have to learn to deal with the real world by yourself. With growing up comes an ever growing list of responsibilities from every walk of life. Responsibilities are an important part of your journey to adulthood.

Life as an adult is not always all fun and games. With responsibilities come expectations that you have to fulfil. You are expected to have a steady job, fulfil your finances, a partner, and the time to look after your family. Children are going to look up to you, and you have to be a good role model and create a safe environment for them. From paying your bills in time to setting good examples for children, there is a never ending list of responsibilities to fulfil every single day. We felt so tired jumbling college along with our internship, but none of that prepared us for full time jobs and how draining that can be. Although time consuming, it does come with a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment. When it comes to relationships, adulthood teaches you a lot. The same friends you thought would stick with you for life, will not remain in frequent contact with you. Friendships will change, but adult friendships are stronger involving those that will stick around when you need them. You will face heartbreaks, but they will always leave you with a lesson to remember for life. Relationships and friendships as an adult leaves a mark in your life, and each happens for a reason. There will always be ups and downs that will remind if you of a simpler time of college days, however these downs will shape you into a wiser person.

From big responsibilities like finding your purpose in life to smaller matters, there is a lot of pressure that society condones on adults. While some may resent these responsibilities, others find it empowering to be independent. This is why over the course of one’s life, ‘It is time to grow up’ has loosely translated into ‘It is time to be more responsible.’ The difficult part of being an adult is that there is no workshop or course to adulting. You are expected to figure this part of your life on your own, and also do a great job at it. Society as a whole places adults on a pedestal and does not shy away from bringing you down for your mistakes. Your internal as well as external environment can mould you into the adult you grow up to be but it is made up of choices you make every minute of every day. We always wanted to grow up quickly as children but the real dream behind that thought was to be free and independent. Greater freedom means greater responsibilities, and we have to make the conscious decision to be ‘good’ adults.

As an adult everyone will not always like you for the choices you make, but always try to choose and do what is right. As daunting as this is, you don’t just wake up and be perfect at the job. You have to consciously try harder everyday where you may falter and fail at times, but wake up and give your best the next day. It is difficult being an adult, there is no manual to ‘adulting’, but your experiences have the power to guide and shape you into a better person. As simple and easy college days were, it still prepared us for this crucial part of our lives. Every decision can feel taxing, and days are made up of micro decisions you will make by the second. Every step as an adult is a choice and decision you make, so make sure you do what feels right. Adults are always expected to have all the answers, even though sometimes we are just as lost as a child. But growing older turns you into a problem solver, as you’re always putting out fires every minute. Every time you take the initiative to be responsible, you are taking a baby step towards being a better adult. Taking up responsibilities is the key to creating a life that you want, and an ideal world for generations to come.