When we’re young, adulthood feels like a prize waiting for us at the finish line. We see it as freedom, independence, and the chance to finally do things our own way. No more strict parents telling us when to sleep, no more restrictions on what we can buy or where we can go. That picture looks very sweet in the mind of a teenager.
But the funny truth is this,when reality finally hits, adulthood is not always as beautiful as we imagined. It comes with responsibilities, bills, expectations, and sometimes stress that nobody warned us about. Many young people, including me, have felt both sides of it. It’s really a mixed bag,sweet on one side, heavy on the other. When I was much younger, I couldn’t wait to grow up. I wanted that freedom so badly. But now that I have tasted it, there are days I secretly wish I could go back and remain young forever. The responsibilities that follow adulthood can weigh so much that you start to miss those simple childhood days when your biggest worry was what food you’d eat after school.
Before I even got admission into school, I was already working as a hairdresser. I used to collect money from people when I made their hair, and saving that money was one of my greatest joys. Back then, I felt like I was already independent. But looking back now, that wasn’t real independence, it was just the surface. Adulthood takes independence to another level entirely. When you are truly on your own, you face expenses you never thought about before. It’s not just about saving small amounts of money here and there. It’s about paying bills, contributing at home, supporting family, and still trying to manage your own personal needs. Sometimes it feels like the more you earn, the more the money disappears. That’s when you realize that freedom is not free, it comes with a price.
What makes it even funnier is how people around you often see it. At home, some family members may think you’re “enjoying” it because you’ve grown up and can now make your own decisions. They see the outside part, the freedom, but not the inside part, which is the responsibility. They don’t notice the pressure that follows or the moments when you’re silently calculating how to stretch the little money in your hand to cover so many things. The journey into adulthood is like stepping into a new world where expectations rise higher than you imagined. All we need to do is to balance school, work, family, and even your own dreams. And sometimes, you just sit and laugh at the memory of your younger self, craving this adulthood without knowing what was hiding inside it.
But still, I believe adulthood is not entirely bad. It teaches discipline, patience, and strength.At the end, adulthood shows us that nothing comes easy and that growth has its own beauty, even when it’s not going to come easily. Yes, we may complain about the stress and responsibilities, but deep down in our hearts, these are the things that are shaping us into stronger people. Maybe adulthood is not the perfect prize we once dreamed of, but it’s also not a punishment. It’s simply life that push us to move forward, with both its good and challenging sides.
At the end of the day, I think adulthood is something every young person has to grow into at their own pace. It may look easy from the outside, but once you step in, you'll realize it’s a journey of you constantly learning. And if there’s one thing I’ve taken from it so far, it’s this: enjoy every stage of life while you’re in it. Childhood has its sweetness, and adulthood has its lessons. Adulthood and childhood are important, and they both shape who we become.
Thank you so much for taking your precious time to read my post 🙏. I truly appreciate your support, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Until next time, stay safe and stay blessed🥰.
Images from Gemini