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Stepping foot into adulthood is what many children dream about. They fantasize about finally having the freedom to eat pizza five days a week, go to a friend’s house unannounced, or stay awake till midnight on a weekday. Sure, free will is a big perk of being an adult but nobody tells these kids just how many crushing responsibilities come with it… or they simply don’t listen. Nonetheless, they inevitably learn this later on, when they’re suddenly left to make their own appointments, wonder what they’ll feed themselves, and realize the bed starts calling them at 8 p.m. Then, it becomes clear that adulthood is not the rainbow and ponyland they imagined it to be.

Undeniably, many of us are stuck in this phase, thinking that adulthood is a total scam. To make these thoughts more bearable, we compiled a full list of adulting memes shared in the Adulting subreddit. To find them, all you have to do is scroll down.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out a conversation with Shari Botwin, LCSW, trauma expert and author of Thriving After Trauma and Stolen Childhoods: Thriving After Abuse, who kindly agreed to chat with us more about the struggles of adulthood.

#1 I Just Want

Image credits: HistoricalDoughnut14

#2 My Favorite

Image credits: Comfortable_Turn4963

#3 Real Adults

Image credits: reddit.com

Shari Botwin, LCSW, trauma expert and author of Thriving After Trauma and Stolen Childhoods: Thriving After Abuse, believes that many people find adulthood to be hard because it feels like an overload of responsibility.

“Between managing finances, relationships, fear of failure, and for some a lack of support, adults find themselves feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about their present and future,” she said to Bored Panda.

#4 You Were Right

Image credits: FitFounder

#5 Eye Opening

Image credits: socialbutterfly_pro

#6 I Think I Was Rushed Into Being An Adult

Image credits: Sory19621a

Even scientific research considers the ages between 18 and 29 to be amongst the most difficult years. Developmental psychologists call this phase emerging adulthood, as it’s full of mental and emotional challenges. Because of this, it was found that adults in these years have the highest rates of depression and anxiety.

#7 🤷‍♂️

Image credits: ineluctable30

#8 Even Then It Burns Me Out

Image credits: BleedingHeart1996

#9 This Is Literally What’s Happening To Me Everyday

Image credits: Salt_Philosophy2145

Botwin suggests that societal pressure to have it all figured out could also be contributing to adults’ stress levels. “The fear of rejection and pressure to conform often leave adults feeling insecure and stressed out. Many of my clients have expressed feeling like no matter what they do, it is never good enough,” she shared.

#10 My Mother-In-Law’s Wise Words About Being Upset With The Election Results

Image credits: RHOCorporate

#11 Just Some Solid Advice For Adulting

Image credits: Daisy420Rex

#12 30 😭

Image credits: yourmombeats

“Societal pressures lead to unrealistic expectations about finances, appearance, and relationships. For example, some adults have talked in therapy with me about feeling like they have let others down if they are not in a traditional family or making a certain amount of money. These unmet societal expectations often lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions,” she further explained.