Earlier this week, I squeezed in a 10 minute phone call with my long-distance BFF. Her husband’s recent promotion was among the many random topics we covered while I walked the dog around the block.
In addition to passing along my congratulations, I remarked how strange it still seems to me that we’re old enough to be in management positions. Most days, I even don’t feel like an adult.
However, many of my friends and classmates and former co-workers are bosses and directors and VPs. Some of them are the founders and CEOs of their businesses. They can hire and fire people. They have people working under them. They’re the decision makers. They have the final say.
Do I not feel like a grown up because I don’t have a fancy professional title? Because my only subordinates are Levi, Asa, and — when he feels like it — Briscoe?
Job success shouldn’t matter. I’m 35. I’ve been married for almost seven years. I’ve bought and sold a house. I always wear my seatbelt in the car. Officially, I’m an adult.
Still, I have the mindset of a confused, uncertain twenty-something. At times, I’m like an angsty teenager, although (I hope) that’s simply a symptom of (temporarily) moving back in with my parents.
Maybe I don’t feel like a real adult because I’m not very good about doing these responsible, grown-up things:
- Washing my face before bed
- Putting away my clean clothing
- Making the bed every morning
- Always sending birthday, anniversary, and thank you cards
- Promptly listening to voicemail messages
- Washing the dishes immediately after eating
- Creating weekly meal plans (or, let’s be honest, cooking at all)
Do you feel like an adult? If so, when did it happen for you?
PS – Could we all just use a lesson in adulting
(“I Can’t Adult Today” shirt by AwesomeBestFriendsTs)
100% no. Even with my fancy title… Ultimately I feel like at any moment someone is going to bust in to say “ok… You’ve had your fun pretending. Now go back to the playground with the other kids.”
Ha! So the fancy title doesn’t help even a little bit? Sometimes I have to laugh when I think that I’m being trusted to raise two little humans. Like I know what I’m doing?!
Not even a little bit. I’m a “Senior Vice President” which sounds in my head like it should be more like “Line Leader for Recess.” And now I have a little human on the way? I’m not old enough for THAT!!
i absolutely do not feel like a real adult, even with a husband who has a fancy title 🙂 i hope the time never comes, though, it’s much more fun to be a (almost 34 year old) kid!
Ooh, good point. I don’t ever want to feel “old,” but I wouldn’t mind feeling a little bit more responsible than I do now. I guess adult = responsible to me!
I’m recently engaged and I feel like that really made me see myself as a true “adult”. But I totally agree about the Manager title.