When are you supposed to feel like an adult?

[CyberCubed]

This may sound silly, but I'm being serious.

I'm in my mid-20's now and I still feel no different than what I was like back in High School. I've graduated College and have a full-time job, yet I don't feel like an, "adult" whatsoever.

I remember when I was in High School thinking I'd be totally different when I hit my 20's and especially mid-20's...yet I feel virtually no different and I still like almost all the same things I did when I was like 17.

Seriously, WTF? I guess after you get married and have your own kid you tend to feel like an adult, and that hasn't happened to me yet. Anyone here with kids can say that made you feel different?

[zodiac brave]

i dont feel any different either. but im going to be 29 in 2 weeks. erm...i dont think theres a moment where you feel a switch into adulthood, man. no 2nd puberty or anything...you're just you, but older. waiting for some sign to let you know you're an adult is pointless. you just are.

[gobo]

Being an adult means you've lived at least 18 years. Feeling like an adult is what you get to after you stop feeling like a kid. The more responsibilities you have, the more adult you should feel.

[Eiko]

I have 2 boys I'm a kid most of the time around them having fun but i become an adult when i need to be. just be yourself no need to worry if you still do kid stuff. As i say to my kids dont be in a hurry to grow up.

[Master Splinter]

This may sound silly, but I'm being serious.

I'm in my mid-20's now and I still feel no different than what I was like back in High School. I've graduated College and have a full-time job, yet I don't feel like an, "adult" whatsoever.

I remember when I was in High School thinking I'd be totally different when I hit my 20's and especially mid-20's...yet I feel virtually no different and I still like almost all the same things I did when I was like 17.

Seriously, WTF? I guess after you get married and have your own kid you tend to feel like an adult, and that hasn't happened to me yet. Anyone here with kids can say that made you feel different?

It sounds like you are waiting for your Saturn Return (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_return). Here is another explanation (http://astrology.about.com/od/advancedastrology/p/SaturnReturn.htm) as well.

The thing about it all though is that you are the only one who can change yourself. I believe that if the time comes and you realize where you are in life and if you desire change then that is the best time to accept and make that change happen, if you miss this opportunity I believe you will always be the same, meaning changing yourself will become more difficult.

Saturn is coming back around in my life here soon and it has got me thinking a lot about my future, the future of the things I do, the projects I am involved in, etc.

Check it out, even if you don't believe in this sort of stuff it is definitely interesting to read.

-ms

[Luzmagica]

my two cents:

In my opinion we belong to the luckiest generation, we can keep the majority despite the responsibilities, our way of life (internal/mind) without major changes.
The rest is a social convention .... you can be married, have children and feel like same child/person deep inside; other generations were not so lucky because it was apparently not frowned upon (social convention) for an adult.

I mean....your soul, your spirit can grow but not grow old.... :)

[pannoni1]

To me, its when you can responsibly follow all of the laws and have good social skills without the assistance of stuff that you learned as a child. You don't have to be married, have kids, or even live separately from your parents and not be considered "adult". Its just a choice of lifestyle. I live in a large house and treat my bedroom area like a studio apartment, and I own a share in another house with my father.

[Hannah]

as far as i'm concerned, adulthood is owning a house and i can't even fathom ever having my **** together enough to do that so no adulthood for me

[Cipher]

I've come to the conclusion that most people never feel like adults, and, even at their most successful, view their lives with a sense of childish disconnect and wonder, constantly amazed by the things they've done and have.

You don't grow up; you just get old.

[CyberCubed]

I've come to the conclusion that most people never feel like adults, and, even at their most successful, view their lives with a sense of childish disconnect and wonder, constantly amazed by the things they've done and have.

You don't grow up; you just get old.

I've always wondered if its just the fact that our generation grew up with more "fandom stuff" than our parents that we grew up slower. So many adults still like watching cartoons, reading comics and playing videogames, that our interest in "fandom" makes us still feel younger.

My father is a big Star Trek fan, but that remains his only fandom. He never got into videogames besides playing Super Mario Bros. 1 with me on the NES when I was 5.

I think there was a study saying the average videogame player is now 35 years old, when back in the 90's videogames were viewed as, "just for kids," and so forth.

I wonder if this is the case.

[BubblyShell22]

I think it's subjective to the person. What makes one feel like an adult may not be the same for everyone. I know when I started working in college, I felt like an adult because I was earning my own money and using it for practical purposes such as buying lunch. It felt good that I didn't have to ask my dad for money all the time once I got the job (except during those first pay periods where we didn't get paid right away). After I graduated and the economy fell flat, I began to really question whether I'd ever feel like an adult. I still live with my parents, and maybe when I move out, I'll really feel like a true adult.

With the prospect of getting my tutoring job, I know I'll feel like an adult again because I'll be working and earning my own money. It just depends on the person.

[Katie]

When you move out of your parent's house for good. When you stop needing someone to take care of you......when you sacrifice your own wants to provide for someone else....That's when you're an adult.

Living at home.....nope still a kid. Someone is providing for you whether you think so or not.

Mom and dad paying you rent? Still a kid.

Mom and dad paying your rent even if you have a job....or live at home...all so you can buy toys and junk? Definitely still a kid.

[TheCanadiandrome]

I think I'll feel like an adult when I'm my parents ages, in the 60s range lol

It's like the old saying "only as old as you feel"

[zkarlette]

I think I'll feel like an adult when I'm my parents ages, in the 60s range lol

It's like the old saying "only as old as you feel"

That's true, also there is a big difference between being responsible and acting old.

[Cipher]

When you move out of your parent's house for good. When you stop needing someone to take care of you......when you sacrifice your own wants to provide for someone else....That's when you're an adult.
Right, but I don't know about "feeling like an adult." Those things don't constitute a fundamental shift in the way you feel about yourself and view the world.

I'm out of my parents' house, living with my fiancee on my own salary now. I'm planning for the future of my career and education. I have a professional job. I certainly call myself an adult. But I think a lot of people can identify with making those steps and not feeling any different. I don't. I don't know any one who does. And I don't see that changing in ten years', twenty years' or thirty years' time.

[TheCanadiandrome]

That's true, also there is a big difference between being responsible and acting old.

Yes indeed there is

[CyberCubed]

I wonder if it has to do with this generation too. 30 year olds now act like 20 year olds. People are saying "the 30's are the new 20's." and so forth.

It actually surprises me. Some of my co-workers are in their early and mid-30's and they act like 22 year old College students. You would seriously not be able to tell the difference just by the way they act and talk about, even though most of them are married and have kids.

[zodiac brave]

there's this...I'd heard the term TWITT bandied about for the past few years.

Teens Well Into Their Thirties.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2176281/Generation-refuse-grow-No-mortgage-No-marriage-No-children-No-career-plan-Like-30-somethings-Marianne-Power-admits-shes-.html

[TheCanadiandrome]

I wonder if it has to do with this generation too. 30 year olds now act like 20 year olds. People are saying "the 30's are the new 20's." and so forth.

It actually surprises me. Some of my co-workers are in their early and mid-30's and they act like 22 year old College students. You would seriously not be able to tell the difference just by the way they act and talk about, even though most of them are married and have kids.

I'm in my late 20s and I act like a teen lol :lol:

[Mzx10484]

Never. In many areas. I can be happy like a kid, especially when it's about guitars, music, Turtles... But I have a good sense, a good reason, which I would call "a result of growing up".

[BubblyShell22]

I think feeling like an adult is when you feel responsible for yourself and you realize that your parents have no obligation to you anymore. Sure, you can still be close to them and all, but they don't have to take care of you if you can take care of yourself. Sadly, my sister still doesn't get that idea and thinks that my parents are still obligated to her even if she's out of the house. Um, they aren't. You're an adult, and you need to take responsibility for yourself.

[Blossombrooks]

I'm married, I own a house but that isn't what makes me feel like an adult. I think when life starts giving you serious problems to deal with it's how you handle and learn from them that makes you realise you actually have grown up. Of course being one when it counts doesn't mean I act like one when it doesn't. ;)

[sdp]

I grew up of "kid" stuff during my early/mid teens but by my late teens I realized it was stupid to not embrace your inner child and enjoy the stuff you like whether it's something you outgrew or not. I never felt embarrased for liking stuff I did or anything, I felt all of that stuff was things you worried about in jr. high and early high school about how others view you and after that awkward period ended no one really cared what you did and this was true for many years.

However recently just hitting my mid 20s I look at myself and wonder if the thigns I'm doing are childish a lot, When no one I hang out with or talk to even thinks about it, it just makes me feel very childish and makes me wonder why I am indeed wasting my time on it and I feel very immature. I don't know why that is but it's getting harder to justify having a toy on my shelf or wasting some of my time watching some old cartoon from my childhood. Not because I don't like it but I feel I am could be doing something better and more important with my time. And I start feeling embarrased again in social situations similarly to when I hit 7th grade which I thought I had outgrown and learned to embrace my inner kid.

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

When you think about it, there's no clear line, is there?

Sign I saw in a restaurant:

"WE DO NOT TOLERATE SCREAMING BABIES HERE, EVEN IF THEY ARE 40 YEARS OLD!"

[zodiac brave]

When you think about it, there's no clear line, is there?

Sign I saw in a restaurant:

"WE DO NOT TOLERATE SCREAMING BABIES HERE, EVEN IF THEY ARE 40 YEARS OLD!"

WOOOOORRRRRDDD!!! THIS RIGHT HERE! THIS IS CORRECT!

lol! :tlol:

[HeavyMetalCarebear]

I will gladly never feel like an adult.

I hate people who think you have to. I get a lot of comments for liking comics and cartoons and video games and wrestling, like you HAVE to stop liking those things at a certain age.

k, I will continue to enjoy life while you 'adults' carry on being boring prudes.

[TheCanadiandrome]

I will gladly never feel like an adult.

I hate people who think you have to. I get a lot of comments for liking comics and cartoons and video games and wrestling, like you HAVE to stop liking those things at a certain age.

k, I will continue to enjoy life while you 'adults' carry on being boring prudes.

Lol good one :D

[The Stryker]

I think you're officially an adult when you're stoked to get something practical and useful as a birthday or christmas gift instead of useless toys and games.

"Oh sh*t! A nice ass Vacuum cleaner! This is awesome!"

[GK Punk]

Hah, I remember the first time that happened to me. I felt so old.

[TheCanadiandrome]

Gee I'm lucky that's not happened yet :D

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

I think you're officially an adult when you're stoked to get something practical and useful as a birthday or christmas gift instead of useless toys and games.

"Oh sh*t! A nice ass Vacuum cleaner! This is awesome!"

Reminds me of an elderly woman who wrote a letter to the Chicago Tribune about how, when she was young, was hoping for a toy for Christmas and was disappointed to get thermal underwear instead. But her mind was changed when the weather turned colder and she felt much more comfortable being outside while wearing it.

[TMNT_Guy]

“Critics who treat "adult" as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adults themselves. To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty, I read them openly. When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”

-C.S. Lewis

[The Stryker]

Gee I'm lucky that's not happened yet :D

I would say you're unlucky because you're still in a childish state.

Being able to appreciate the useful stuff is awesome.

I get that people like to enjoy their kid stuff but the amount of peter panning nowadays is nuts. If you're nearly 30.....probably time to grow up a smidge.

[gobo]

Sign I saw in a restaurant:

"WE DO NOT TOLERATE SCREAMING BABIES HERE, EVEN IF THEY ARE 40 YEARS OLD!"
Brilliant. :tcool::tthumbsu:
-C.S. Lewis
Dude had a point.

[BubblyShell22]

Well, for me, I could care less about presents anymore. I just don't see the point in getting anything for Christmas or my birthday because I feel it isn't about material things. I used to be so excited on Christmas to receive toys and things like that, but now I just don't want anything anymore because it doesn't matter to me. Sure, if I need something like clothes, I can accept that. Then again, I never was disappointed when I was given clothes at all. I always liked them and thought they were awesome. So, for me, I really feel I have grown up in that way because I don't worry about what I want for Christmas or my birthday anymore. It doesn't matter.

Then again, I don't care about holidays anymore either. They've become boring and meaningless rather than anything worth celebrating. I guess that's my age showing.

[The Stryker]

Or your pessimistic attitude.

[TheCanadiandrome]

I would say you're unlucky because you're still in a childish state.

Being able to appreciate the useful stuff is awesome.

I get that people like to enjoy their kid stuff but the amount of peter panning nowadays is nuts. If you're nearly 30.....probably time to grow up a smidge.

nice real nice dude. coming from u that means little to me. and also i do appreciate the useful stuff :roll:

[Machias Banshee]

Well, I think I've entered the realm of 'adult'....

I'm beyond buying any kind of toys or lil doodads. I very rarely buy anything comic book related, unless it's a book for drawing techniques; The Art of The Avatar was my last book. We do the 'useful' stuff for Christmas and birthdays... flannel bedding, car parts...

Mom's whole cancer ordeal really forced the last of the kiddie type stuff to the back burners of life. Financially, I have a good full-time job, I own my car, no school debt ( as of this week! :D ), yet I don't make enough to afford a place of my own. Prices around here have jumped with all the commuters from Boston...

So, I live at home with my parents. However, I help with groceries, contribute to the heating oil fund, upkeep and maintenance - I've helped renovate half of the rooms in our house in the past two, three years. And as much as a bad rap some people get for living at home... I love being with my parents and brother.


God I sound like an old frump... :goof:

[Jester]

Maybe it's when you stop regarding holidays as a "Oooo, I get stuff!" and it becomes, "Oooo, I get to spend time with my family and loved ones." that makes you an adult.

[GK Punk]

I think I've come to the realization that, at least until I have kids anyway, I'll probably always collect things. GI Joe, movie props, Star Wars merch, dolls, whatever it is I always seem to keep collecting them. But I guess what really matters is that you take care of yourself and you don't put collecting toys first ahead of the important things in life.

[zkarlette]

If you are a responsible adult there is no reason why you should give up the things (whatever they may be) that bring you happiness.
You should try to enjoy life and try to make the best of every moment " feeling" young helps a lot.

[Jester]

I think I've come to the realization that, at least until I have kids anyway, I'll probably always collect things. GI Joe, movie props, Star Wars merch, dolls, whatever it is I always seem to keep collecting them. But I guess what really matters is that you take care of yourself and you don't put collecting toys first ahead of the important things in life.
Kids do change things in that regard, no question. :D

[GK Punk]

I fully expect it to. And at least with the stuff I've already collected my kids are going to end up with a ton of toys to play with.

[CyberCubed]

The difference is our parents grew up in a different world than us where they didn't have computers when they were kids, internet access, videogames 24/7, various cartoons and toy merchandize, etc.

Remember how back in the 80's and 90's videogames were considered for kids? And how nowadays videogames are so mainstream that your average player is now 35 years old?

Or how back in the 80's and 90's if you watched cartoons over the age of 13 you were told to, "grow up?" Or even with comic books?

I think the fact that our generation grew up with so much media with videogames, cartoons, and popularized TV and movies based on merchandize that we still like the same things we did when we were younger.

[TheCanadiandrome]

Well, I think I've entered the realm of 'adult'....

I'm beyond buying any kind of toys or lil doodads. I very rarely buy anything comic book related, unless it's a book for drawing techniques; The Art of The Avatar was my last book. We do the 'useful' stuff for Christmas and birthdays... flannel bedding, car parts...

Mom's whole cancer ordeal really forced the last of the kiddie type stuff to the back burners of life. Financially, I have a good full-time job, I own my car, no school debt ( as of this week! :D ), yet I don't make enough to afford a place of my own. Prices around here have jumped with all the commuters from Boston...

So, I live at home with my parents. However, I help with groceries, contribute to the heating oil fund, upkeep and maintenance - I've helped renovate half of the rooms in our house in the past two, three years. And as much as a bad rap some people get for living at home... I love being with my parents and brother.


God I sound like an old frump... :goof:

Amen to all that. And glad your Mom is doing good

I think I've come to the realization that, at least until I have kids anyway, I'll probably always collect things. GI Joe, movie props, Star Wars merch, dolls, whatever it is I always seem to keep collecting them. But I guess what really matters is that you take care of yourself and you don't put collecting toys first ahead of the important things in life.

Agreed. Life is too short as they say

Maybe it's when you stop regarding holidays as a "Oooo, I get stuff!" and it becomes, "Oooo, I get to spend time with my family and loved ones." that makes you an adult.

^ This


If you are a responsible adult there is no reason why you should give up the things (whatever they may be) that bring you happiness.
You should try to enjoy life and try to make the best of every moment " feeling" young helps a lot.

And ^ this

Also, cybercubed made some good points as well

[That Matt Guy]

I knew I was old when my doctor told me that I should start getting regular prostate exams.

[ComicBookBoy]

This may sound silly, but I'm being serious.

I'm in my mid-20's now and I still feel no different than what I was like back in High School. I've graduated College and have a full-time job, yet I don't feel like an, "adult" whatsoever.

I remember when I was in High School thinking I'd be totally different when I hit my 20's and especially mid-20's...yet I feel virtually no different and I still like almost all the same things I did when I was like 17.

Seriously, WTF? I guess after you get married and have your own kid you tend to feel like an adult, and that hasn't happened to me yet. Anyone here with kids can say that made you feel different?

I'm 18, finshed school, and have a job, but I still like almost all the same things that I liked when I was 5. I still like all the same shows, video games, comics, everything.

[LeoNerdo]

I only feel like an adult when I'm at work. And when I'm paying bills... Soooo many bills!

[Azrael Macool]

Probably the most adult I've felt in a long time is when my friends just told me they were throwing a fancy cocktail party, with wine and cheese tasting and fondue... I've been waiting for that **** for years. As much as I love the pizza rolls and beer parties we've been throwing for years, this kind of thing is what I've been looking forward to since I was a teenager. Er, yeah, I'm kinda weird

[BubblyShell22]

Or your pessimistic attitude.

Nah, I attribute it to the fact that I'm too old to care about holidays because I'm not a kid who believes in Santa, the Easter Bunny, or any of that other sh*t that actually made holidays worthwhile. And while family is all well and good for some people, my family is too f*cked up for me to want to spend time with them (well, at least with my sister. My parents and brother are fine and I'll spend time with them no problem).

And as for Christmas, I don't believe in God or Jesus, so maybe that's why I just don't care anymore. Same goes for Easter. Who cares?

[The Stryker]

Holidays are awesome. You don't have to become a miserable grump just because you stop believing in Santa and the Easter Bunny (who ever believed in the Bunny anyway? Even as a kid.)And don't turn this into another religious argument for the love of god.

Halloween became awesome because of my nieces and Christmas is just a fun time when you have a decent family. Or just friends. It doesn't have to be about maturity or believing in something. It's just a day or two to have fun with a theme. If you ask 'what's the point' to everything you'll never do anything. "That kid looks stupid." - My niece talking about some kid in a Leonardo costume. That was a good laugh. That girl is amazing.

Yo. Christmas is coming. I'm excited to make up for the sh*tstorm that was last year.

[TheCanadiandrome]

I knew I was old when my doctor told me that I should start getting regular prostate exams.

woah! yeah one should keep an eye on that :o

[BubblyShell22]

Holidays are awesome. You don't have to become a miserable grump just because you stop believing in Santa and the Easter Bunny (who ever believed in the Bunny anyway? Even as a kid.)And don't turn this into another religious argument for the love of god.

Halloween became awesome because of my nieces and Christmas is just a fun time when you have a decent family. Or just friends. It doesn't have to be about maturity or believing in something. It's just a day or two to have fun with a theme. If you ask 'what's the point' to everything you'll never do anything. "That kid looks stupid." - My niece talking about some kid in a Leonardo costume. That was a good laugh. That girl is amazing.

Yo. Christmas is coming. I'm excited to make up for the sh*tstorm that was last year.

Whatever. I believed in the Easter Bunny and always looked forward to the Easter baskets he would leave.

And I'm not turning anything into an argument. I'm just being honest. Wow. I can't even be honest anymore? F*ck this sh*t.

Hey, it's all well and good if you like Christmas and all that. I don't. I hate the music and just hate the holiday. Too annoying to me. If I'm to be judged for that, then oh well. I don't care anymore. F*ck holidays.

[愛]

No one understands me. //_o

[Jester]

I can't be the only one who's mind went here reading this thread.

(sorry Bubbly)
moF9ZXsPKGI

[TheCanadiandrome]

I can't be the only one who's mind went here reading this thread.


Nope I'm sure not likely

[Cipher]

I think you're officially an adult when you're stoked to get something practical and useful as a birthday or christmas gift instead of useless toys and games.

"Oh sh*t! A nice ass Vacuum cleaner! This is awesome!"
Well, sh**. I'm there.

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

I believe in Santa Claus. But he doesn't bring me anything.

[TheCanadiandrome]

I believe in Santa Claus. But he doesn't bring me anything.
Then I'd be asking that fat b@stard what his dealio is! Lol :D:lol::P

[BubblyShell22]

I'd be asking the same thing. So much for being nice.

And, Jester, that cracked me up.

[gobo]

Then I'd be asking that fat b@stard what his dealio is! Lol :D:lol::P
What does Silent Bob have to do with any of this? :tconfuse:

[Coola Yagami]

I'm 35 and still not an 'adult'. Yeah, I do have a lot more responsibilities now, and I do take care of them... but I'm still me.

I do suppose something like that changes when you have children, because that does require ALOT of time and responsibility. The way I see it, when you have kids, you've had your childhood and now you have to help them have theirs.

[TheCanadiandrome]

I'm 35 and still not an 'adult'. Yeah, I do have a lot more responsibilities now, and I do take care of them... but I'm still me.

I do suppose something like that changes when you have children, because that does require ALOT of time and responsibility. The way I see it, when you have kids, you've had your childhood and now you have to help them have theirs.

Or like some parents do, live it through their kids


What does Silent Bob have to do with any of this? :tconfuse:

Oh gobo you silly rascal :lol:

[The Stryker]

Or like some parents do, live it through their kids

Sounds like a good idea. What with all the psychological issues that can cause.

[CyberCubed]

No, you're supposed to recognize what mistakes your parents made when raising you and make sure not to repeat those same mistakes when raising your own kids.

I think everyones parents did something they knew was wrong at some point or another, and you're supposed to not repeat that mistake with your own kids.

[BubblyShell22]

But sadly, most parents these days just don't want to be parents and help their kids grow. They'd rather let schools do the parenting while they just ignore whatever their kids have done wrong. Sad but true.

[TheCanadiandrome]

sadly true. tis what our society has become

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

But sadly, most parents these days just don't want to be parents and help their kids grow. They'd rather let schools do the parenting while they just ignore whatever their kids have done wrong. Sad but true.

And if their kids go wrong, who do they blame? Everyone else but themselves.

[BubblyShell22]

Yes, exactly. You've hit the nail on the head there.

[BladeEdge86]

The way I see it is you need to be in touch with both your inner child and your inner adult, when I go to work, pay bills or any other responsibility I am in adult mode. But during any other time my inner child reigns supreme, as Master Splinter would probably say it is all about balance.