Does “Adulting” Really Mean You Are An Adult?/My Modern Day Journey in Faith/”Finding Balance Series”

Chapter 1

I figured out that the hardest thing about growing up, is being an adult. 

There is a new coined phrase that is used very often called “Adulting”. Have any of you heard this?

I looked up this word and found that it meant, “the practice of behaving in a way characteristic of a responsible adult, especially the accomplishment of mundane but necessary tasks.” per the Oxford dictionary. 

But let’s take that a step further shall we..

We all have been taught from the time we were little that once you get older, you find a good paying job, leave home to acquire your own space, pay bills, get married, raise a family, retire, grow old and die …okay maybe not so much the last two because as we see over and over again that getting older does not necessarily mean “old”.

But as I have been “getting older”, I find myself more and more wanting to not “adult.”

By a show of hands, how many of you are tired of the rat race?

It’s hard out here, and once you add relationships, it’s like “adulting” must come with superpowers, am I right?

I have talked to so many people my age, older and younger who have been fighting against what the world view of “adulting” should be compared to the Godly view of what being an adult actually is.

We have responsibilities to others and to ourselves, but in that challenge I can say it is very hard to find the balance.

“A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.” Proverbs 16:11 

“Adulting” is not what I thought of when sneaking out of my bedroom at night when I was little and seeing my parents hanging out late.

“Adulting” is not what I thought it would be when I wanted to watch a Rated R movie, but was told I was too young.

“Adulting” is not what I thought when I saw older teenagers holding hands and wearing matching shirts thus me romanticizing what I would do when I got in a relationship.

…………..

“Adulting” is balance. 

“Adulting” is work.

“Adulting” is necessary.

And anything worth having is work right?

In this new series, I want to tackle some of the modern day phrases used to describe our struggles in balancing what we are and what we strive to be.

What are your struggles in “Adulting?” Do you find yourself, like me, wanting to run away from these adult responsibilities? And, like me, do you pray for the strength and the drive to continue on even when the going gets tough?

I have seen so many blog posts and articles tackling mental health. I had no idea how much of an impact that was until I became a mother. 

If you are a parent, “Adulting” becomes a whole other thing once you become another human beings sole source for survival.

And we know that the balance of being who we want to be for ourselves and who we are for others is always complicated.

“Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good.” Proverbs 20:23

Finally, I challenge you this week to make a list of where your strengths are in finding balance and where your weaknesses are. 

“Adulting” only becomes more difficult when you are not aware of the places you are struggling.

For example: Do you find yourself more plugged into your roles as a parent, family member, friend, employee and/or confidant rather than being more plugged into your purpose by God in being here?

It is easy to be plugged into what everyone else expects of you rather than what God created you to do. 

And when we plug into the expectations of others, we begin the hamster wheel of anxiety and disappointment that sooner or later comes along with it.

So let us begin a new journey on this first day of Fall, in finding our God given balance and manage how God expects us to “Adult”.

He has given us the tools but we must not be distracted by our roles. We owe ourselves balance and owe God more than what we give Him daily. 

Let’s tackle balance together and enjoy the “Adulting” the way we were intended to. Have a great week and you know you got this!

Sincerely,

Terryn Horton-Morton