What is Adulting, and How Can I Do it Better?!

At some point when I was a kid, I decided that 27 was the age that would see me successful, happy, and an adult. I projected that 27 would be the year that I would get married and probably buy a house. I’m not entirely sure why I chose that number, except for perhaps because it is approximately 5 years after college graduation age. Did anyone else do this when they were younger? Did you have an age picked out for yourself to plan to have everything all put together?

Well, I’m four months away from 27, and I definitely do NOT have it all together. Actually, everything right now is a bit of a mess. I was laid off from my 9-5 job last week, my car badly needs repairs, and I’m trying to move into a new apartment with little to no money. I’m back to scrambling to pick up random work shifts at multiple establishments, and begging people to give me DJ gigs to help keep up with bills. Here’s where I’ve decided that “adulting” happens at no one point in time, and although you might suspect you’ve got your life together, you may not after all. Have you heard the term “adulting” before? I stole it from blogger and author Kelly Williams Brown. I have yet to read her book, but I have followed her blog for a number of years now. I feel like that word is perfect to describe attempting to be an adult. If you had asked me three weeks ago how I was feeling about life, I would have told you that adulting was going pretty well. I had that 9-5, I was seeing my family and friends regularly, I was picking up DJ shifts pretty steadily, and I felt great about everything. Then I was served a surprise slice of unemployment with a lovely dollop of car trouble on top.

I actually caught myself a bit off guard by not getting too terribly upset with being laid off. I don’t usually use that phrase  “when one door closes, another door opens,” but it is probably appropriate for this situation. I’m not upset because I am betting that this will open many doors to incredible opportunities. I am hoping to find that company that values me deeply and challenges and supports me as an employee. I want to be more present, and not worry as much about being successful at adulting. Who’s successful at it, anyway?! How many of us really feel like we’re 100% stable in our current positions, whether they are in jobs, relationships, or any other aspect of life?

What do you think about adulting? How are you handling all the trials that life tosses at you? Have you ever had an a-ha moment with being an “adult?” I’d love to hear about your successes! I’ll report back as soon as I can with news of how this little session of “funemployment” is working out. Hopefully I won’t be belly-up the next time you hear from me!