I remember when I was 18, I thought that the 16-year-old me was a dumb little boy. When I became 20, I felt the same way about my 18-year-old self. When I turned 22, same feeling about my 20-year-old self. And so it went until I became 26 when I finally started to feel like, yah, I’m an adult now, and I make good adult decisions. It just felt like it.
Well, this sudden realization of adulthood comes to all of us, whether in the form of a simple “huh, so that’s what it feels like” or in an epic divine intervention whereby God’s angelic servant descends from the clouds and gives you a slip of paper that says “Welcome to adulting, enjoy it”. Or anything in between.
And folks online have been sharing the former, the latter and the in between on Reddit lately. In particular, this all happened in a now-viral AskReddit thread that asked the question when is the first time you remember feeling like an adult?
Bored Panda gathered the best responses and stories and compiled an epic list for you to enjoy, upvote, and comment on below.
More Info: Reddit
#1
When I got mad that they rearanged the grocery store
Image credits: Filord99
#2
Just after turning 16, mom was already in parts unknown for a few years and my dad left us for work in another state, I became legally emancipated by the state of New York. I filed for welfare to help pay my rent and received food stamps. Still had to work to cover the other half of bills. All while finishing my last 2.5 years of high school. I believe that’s when I felt all adulty.
Image credits: KidSushi76
#3
I woke up, opened the curtains and looked outside at a beautiful sunny day. I thought to myself “It’s a great day to hang the washing out”
Then I instantly thought ach jeez I’m getting old.
Image credits: AesopSkate
#4
When I made my christmas wish-list and thought to myself:
“I could use some socks…”
Image credits: RandomNameOfDoom
#5
Growing up our apartment caught fire. I remember running in and out of it, wearing just shorts (no time to put on clothes), because I knew we didn’t have insurance and I had to get as much stuff out of it as possible so we didn’t lose it. I remember running into my bedroom which was on fire to carry out my computer.
Looking back, that moment where I realized I risked my life and/or injury to avoid financial problems, was the day I think I really understood how the adult world works.
Image credits: LastPhoenixFeather
#6
One day it somehow was wayyy too exciting when I went to a shop and found some really nice kitchenware that’s also easy to clean. That’s when I knew
Image credits: 4206936031415
#7
I was broke and homeless and walking down the street and realized it was all up to me, and only me, to get out of that situation.
Image credits: mtotheija
#8
Ya know that drawer that has everything, shoe laces, batteries, twist ties, spare cords, “extra” hardware from “projects”, bottle opener, deck o cards, bobby pin, yes, That drawer. When I moved out and realized I needed to make my own junk drawer was when it hit pretty hard.
Image credits: Abydesbythydude
#9
I knew I was an adult the day the judge said “We’re trying you as an adult.”
Image credits: xAUSxReap3r
#10
When i realized nobody can stop me from buying a jar of nutella and then just eat it with a spoon. Obviously not the entire thing in one sitting but something about being able to do almost anything with no universe popup being like *you sure dude?* made me feel like an adult.
Image credits: ScifiDeath
#11
I work with children with special needs, there was a time that a decision needed to be made about a child’s school placement, and everyone in the room was waiting for my opinion (including parents). That was a really weird feeling, and the first time I realised I was an adult in other peoples eyes.
The first time I felt properly old, was when I had a manager who was younger than me (now had a couple).
Having to sort out some problems with my father’s mental health was also a weird experience, that definitely made me realise that I’m not a child anymore.
But honestly, I still feel like a child despite being 40 and balding.
Image credits: MyOtherNameIsWorse
#12
Setting up a doctor’s appointment and going by myself.
Image credits: AskRedditThr0w4way
#13
When I started feeling alienated from my peers because their common problems were just minor inconveniences in my eyes.
Image credits: Not_Jim3
#14
When I was buying my own groceries and had survived for two weeks on my own. I figured I must be doing it right since I wasn’t feeling hungry or diminished.
Image credits: il_cappuccino
#15
In college, I was with some friends at a party and one of them fell and busted his face so badly, he started bleeding badly. I went looking for someone to do something when I realized I was the only sober one there. Not a fun night or feeling.
Image credits: YellowStar012
#16
When I got *excited* about buying a couch. It was decent, not like super expensive leather, but nice looking. I feel the same way still, nearly 20 years later, whenever I buy stuff like that. I bought a washer and dryer set a few years ago and remember commenting to a friend that it still feels weird doing these adult things and still looking forward to them.
Image credits: Ambadastor
#17
The first day I moved out of parents house. I didn’t have toilet paper or food or drinks. That’s when reality hit
Image credits: IThinkMyLegsAreBroke
#18
Truly felt like an adult? When I brought my son home from the hospital. I was 26. Everything up until the felt like small potatoes adulthood.
Image credits: bumpercarbustier
#19
When I saw people younger than me waste time on dead relationships, partying and dead end jobs. I realised I was now able to see the bigger picture and quite literally felt so old and responsible.
Image credits: blackpepper42
#20
When I was shopping and a man said to their kid, “watch the lady” so that they would budge.
Image credits: Amazing_Complaint_13
#21
The day I paid my taxes online. I know I overpaid, but getting it out of the way and doing it by myslef felt good. I was an adult now I have full goddam credence to complain about the government.
Image credits: triotone
#22
The first time I didn’t have to ask for permission to go out
Image credits: ag9910
#23
Truly felt like THE adult at my father’s funeral.
Image credits: kestral_120
#24
A long time ago my child (about 1 at the time) could not sleep and he wanted to sit with me and a visiting friend and I said something like: ” so you want to sit with the grown up people?” and it hit me. I was the grown up people. I was in my late 20s at the time.
The milestones of living on my own, marriage and such were long past then, but with my own child it really hit me. Adult. Responsible. Grown Up
Image credits: AloneAlternative2693
#25
Starting my first full-time 9-5 job.
Image credits: galaxymaster1277
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