There are a lot of misconceptions out there about what it means to be an adult. Though, the dictionary defines it as “a person who is fully grown or developed” there are many ways to interpret this. Here are 3 of the biggest misconceptions I’ve heard.
1. 18 is the start of adulthood
This is something that’s continuously perpetuated by TV and social media. There’s this idea that once you turn 18 you’re “legal.” That was a phrase I heard all too often when I was in high school. My birthday is in November so I turned 18 less than half way through my senior year.
Turning eighteen had no real impact on my day to day life (besides being an excuse for me to stuff my face with cheesecake). It wasn’t like I was suddenly allowed to go out whenever I wanted. Being eighteen is just an age, there’s nothing super serious about it. Age doesn’t define adulthood, experience does.
2. Moving out makes you a “real adult”
In high school, I remember friends bursting with excitement about moving out and going off to college. I knew some people who weren’t even going to college, they just couldn’t wait to get an apartment with a few close friends.
The fact that I was staying at home for school seemed so strange to many of them, especially since I’d been accepted to a lot of the same, far away schools.
Many of my friends were looking for freedom, and I honestly don’t blame them. But I’m here to say that freedom comes in more ways than moving out.
3. You can’t ask for help
There’s a big myth that to be a “real” adult means you can’t ask anyone for help, especially your parents. Whether that means asking for some money to buy food or talking things out with an old friend. Asking for help seems like the opposite of being “independent.”
Truth be told, asking for help is one of the most adult things you do. In that moment, you’re not only reassessing the situation and realizing you can’t do it alone. It’s also a chance for you to humble yourself and address your pride. Pride does go before the fall, after all.
Don't Get it Twisted 