Let’s talk about that term we all love to hate – “adulting.” You know, that word that’s supposed to encapsulate the moments when you transition from carefree youth to responsible, bill-paying, nine-to-five-having adulthood. It’s a term that often evokes a chuckle or an exasperated sigh, depending on the day and your proximity to yet another life-altering decision. As for me, I’ve had my fair share of adulting escapades, and today, because it’s raining, I’m going to dive right into that delightful whirlpool.

Now, one might say that the path to adulting is a lot like stumbling through a forest filled with brambles and questionable creatures. It’s prickly. It’s confusing, and at times, you’re not entirely sure where you’re headed. But as a social psychologist by trade, I can’t help but dissect the phenomenon of feeling like a grown-up with the precision of a scientist in a lab filled with intriguing specimens. Remember, I occasionally show my psychology credentials.

The funny thing is, the first time I felt like a grown-up wasn’t necessarily the day I officially became one. No, it happened long before that, in the unlikeliest of places – a boarding school. I believe that I have previously shared that I went to boarding school. It was around the tender age of 14 when I went from the South Bronx to the world of dormitories, rigid schedules, and an enormous dining hall where I had too many food choices. If that isn’t the ripe age for adulting, then I don’t know what is.

But even in the structured world of boarding school, I wouldn’t say I truly felt like a grown-up. I was merely navigating the trials and tribulations of adolescence with a bit more independence. Fast forward to my post-college days when I secured my first “real” job and had to face the heart-wrenching task of paying rent – a task that still haunts me today. Adulting? Maybe. Feeling like an adult? Not quite. I was finally making some money, and what do you do when that happens? You spend it, of course! I was enjoying my newfound financial freedom like a kid in a candy store, and, in hindsight, I might have treated it a bit too much like one.

Then, life threw in another curveball. I got married while pursuing a graduate degree. Double the responsibility, double the fun, right? Well, even though I was juggling the financial responsibilities of an adult, I still felt like a graduate student in so many ways. It was a conundrum of responsibility and, dare I say, non-adulting.

But here’s the turning point, the moment when I can confidently say that I felt like an adult: my first job as a director. Yes, I was finally the one in charge, supervising a team of, well, adults. And let me tell you, if you’ve never supervised adults in the workplace, it can sometimes feel like you’re herding kindergarteners in a playground. When I had to reprimand a staff member for the first time, that’s when it hit me – the unrelenting wave of responsibility.

It’s funny how people, even in a professional setting, often resist embracing adulthood. No one seems to want to be an adult these days. We all yearn for the carefree days of play and vacations, unburdened by responsibility. Yet, responsibilities persist. We pay bills, we make choices, and we’re held accountable for our actions.

Perhaps this aversion to adulthood is why social media has become such a powerful presence in our lives. It’s a realm where we can be a little less adult, where we can share our whims and eccentricities without judgment. But whether this is a good or bad thing depends on what we choose to share.

So there you have it – my winding journey through the ups and downs of adulting. The path might be crooked, and the destination may still be a bit hazy, but hey, it’s all part of the adventure. Here’s to embracing the whimsy of adulthood, with all its quirks and responsibilities, and maybe a bit of non-adulting along the way. After all, in the words of Peter Pan, “Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away, and going away means forgetting.” And I, for one, have no intention of forgetting the exhilarating, confounding journey of adulting. In many ways, I’m very young. And, proudly so.