When you’re a toddler, every milestone feels monumental. At age 3, you can’t wait to be 5, ready for kindergarten and ruling the playground. By 5, you’re itching to be 10, with homework, early bedtimes, and exciting sleepovers. Fast forward to 10, and you’re looking at your teenage years with envy, dreaming of driver’s licenses, college life, and freedom from your parents’ watchful eyes.
Then comes college, where the lure of being the breadwinner and making your own choices propels you forward. After graduation, it’s marriage, kids, and a house—essentially, the pinnacle of adulthood. This is the moment everyone tells you will bring clarity, control, and the ability to tackle life head-on.
But let’s be real. If you’re reading this, you might not be that mythical “perfect adult.” Maybe you manage to juggle motherhood, a career, and a stylish wardrobe, but the reality for many of us is a lot messier.
When I hit that magical age of adulthood, instead of feeling empowered, I felt nostalgia wash over me. I found myself yearning for the carefree days of being 3, when pigtails were the norm, or 5, racing around on a Big Wheel. Even my teenage years—where I was blissfully unaware of taxes and dating drama—seemed like a better deal. College, with its endless time for exploration and pizza for breakfast, felt like a lost paradise.
Throughout my childhood, I believed that adulthood would come with all the answers. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. Now at 46, I stand shorter than my parents, less confident than my mom, and nowhere near as knowledgeable as my dad. I still find myself second-guessing decisions, looking for guidance from others, and calling my mom to ask what I should wear.
And vacations? Oh, they tend to be spontaneous family road trips where we decide on the first day to drive 1,200 miles to Florida—more than once! Honestly, I can’t imagine the perfectly curated vacations where everyone wears matching outfits and follows a strict itinerary. Those might just lead to disappointment.
In those chaotic moments of unplanned adventure, I realize we are shaping our kids’ perceptions of adulthood—not as a destination, but as a journey filled with spontaneity, joy, and love. The notion of ‘growing up’ has become less about age and more about feeling alive and adventurous.
So, if your reflection doesn’t reveal a superhero in a power suit, don’t sweat it. Maybe it’s time to reshape your idea of what being an adult means. After all the wishing to be grown-up, I’ve come to embrace my unique version of adulthood. I can dye my hair blue, wear ripped jeans, and serve breakfast for dinner, while endlessly loving my family and enjoying cozy cuddle puddles every night. And yes, I can still ride a Big Wheel, pigtails and all.
Life at any age can be what we make of it, filled with joy and adventure. For more on navigating the journey of parenthood and home insemination, check out this helpful post. If you’re looking for the right tools for your journey, Make a Mom is a great resource as well. And for more information about pregnancy, Progyny offers excellent insights.
In summary, adulthood is less about achieving a perfect image and more about living authentically and joyfully, regardless of age.