10 Things You Need to Start Doing Now That You Are an Adult

Growing up is something most of us look forward to as kids. We dress up in grown-up clothes or pretend we have grown-up responsibilities. Now that you have finally reached the elusive stage of life we call adulthood, it is possible some of the luster has worn off. Here are 10 things you should do to make being an adult successful and, dare I say, fun.

1. Figure Yourself out

One of the perks of being a grown up is that the opinions of others matter much less. Do you watch embarrassingly bad movies or play computer games about aliens? Embrace it. Like what you like, figure out what matters most to you, and then, carry on. Being an adult is the time to finally enjoy being yourself.

2. Communicate Coherently

We can’t all be masters of the written word like Dickens and Tolstoy, but being able to communicate clearly with others is an essential skill for an adult. Use complete sentences when you send emails, call instead of text when you really need to have a conversation, and please, please, please learn the difference between there, their, and they’re.

3. Take Care of Your Skin

Nothing will make you look older than you are faster than damaged skin. Your skin gets more fragile as you get older. Start taking care of it now, not only to stay looking nice, but to prevent skin cancer. Simple things like using moisturizer with sunscreen go a long way toward protecting your skin.

4. Take Care of Your Teeth

Even if you have a grown-up job in New York or Burlington, orthodontist visits can be expensive. Prevent expensive and painful problems by doing the basics. Brush and floss regularly like your parents told you to when you were little. This is at least one time they knew what they were talking about.

5. Learn to Dress Yourself

You may think this is something you already figured out when you were three or four years old, but since it is something you do every day, make sure you have mastered it. Learn to invest in clothes that will serve you for more than a season. Buy clothes that fit well and are comfortable as well as sturdy so you can rely on your staples for years to come. Fashion changes regularly, but some classics like a great pair of jeans or a tailored suit or little black dress will never go out of style.

6. Learn to Cook

You don’t have to be a gourmet chef, but learning to cook will pay big dividends. Cooking your own food doesn’t just save you money; eating home cooked meals is almost always healthier than getting takeout again. Try new recipes every once in a while. You can impress your friends with your skills, and you may even have some fun.

7. Read

Reading keeps your mind active and helps you stay well informed. It also gives you something interesting to talk to other people about. If you are intimidated, start with something smaller and lighthearted like a book written by your favorite comedian. If you are looking for a challenge, revisit some of the old classics. They are classics for a reason, and reading them gives you common ground with countless other people out in the world.

8. Stay Fit

Staying fit may have been effortless when you were a teenager, but if you keep wolfing those burritos into adulthood, you may start to see some negative effects. Now is the time to be active, eat right, and have fun so you will be healthy for years to come. Fitness doesn’t get easier with age, so work it in to your lifestyle now.

9. Be Aware of the World Around You

One thing that distinguishes children from adults is their awareness level. When you are a kid, the world is small, and it likely revolves around you. As an adult, you begin to see the bigger picture. Be aware of what is going on in the world, and pay attention to the people around you. Be polite and kind to others; the world is still actually pretty small, and you never know when you will need someone you can count on.

10. Have Fun

Being an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop having fun. It actually means you can have more fun than ever before. You can afford things you never could have dreamed of as a kid, and although you may have fewer friends, the ones who stuck around know you better and care more about you. Being an adult also means you have opportunities to travel to new places and try new things. Enjoy it.

Take advantage of the freedom that comes with being an adult, you have more responsibilities, but you also have more resources. Start doing these 10 things to make the most of your adulthood.

Author Byline

Michael David is a freelance blogger who loves writing about Health and Lifestyle topics. To learn more about taking care of your health, visit Cornerstone Dental.

Image by Visit Cape May via Flickr