Grown Men Open Up About Why They Don't Feel Like Real Adults

"That feeling wears off once you go a few years without anybody giving a sh*t about you and you still manage to not be dead in spite of your own unassuming efforts."

Grown Men Open Up About Why They Don't Feel Like Real Adults

We’ve all had the epiphany: adults are overgrown children bumbling through life as best they can. However we all also assumed that one day we might actually have our sh*t together. Unsurprisingly, a Reddit thread has revealed: that’s not the case.

Whether it’s because you haven’t lost your 12-year-old penchant for pranks, your 14-year-old self’s dirty mind or your 17-year-old self’s anxiety issues, you will probably relate to a few of these responses—and that’s fine. As user mcrn_marine points out, “I wish more people admitted they’re winging it, too. Everyone’s doing it. Some are just better at hiding it.” So, here are the best responses to the question: Do all ‘grown’ adults feel like they’re still faking ‘adulting,’ and if so, why is that the case?

From the frenetic pace of 21st century life:

“I’m desperately trying to get a bit more structure in my life, because I’m very disorganised and often struggle to get tasks done. Planning ahead is tough.”

To the sheer terror of being tasked with another human being’s life:

“I remember being shocked when my ex and I left the hospital with our newborn son. They’re just.. leaving us in charge of this new human? Oh my god.”

To their incorrigible sense of humour:

“I still feel like a high schooler inside, along with their childish thoughts at times… Heck, even a lot of times.”

The bizarre:

“I’m a 36 year old who routinely creates scenarios where my dog is named Lola P. Barkingsworth and speaks in an upper crust British accent. Usually something about world war two while I talk to her in old radio guy voice.”

To intergenerational advice:

“I asked my dad (who is in his 70’s) when he stopped being a teenager in his head and felt like an adult. His response was both reassuring and scary – he said: Not yet.”

To the droll:

“I don’t feel like I’m faking adulthood as much as that the whole concept of adulthood is a scam.”

Others reckoned our immaturity is something to celebrate.

“NEVER lose those childish thoughts. Maybe manage them but don’t lose them, it’s what keeps life fun and silly.”

The best response, however, came from user menace_64, who captured the brutal truth of feeling like a fraud (at “adulting”) in one simple sentence:

“That feeling wears off once you go a few years without anybody giving a heck about you and you still manage to not be dead in spite of your own unassuming efforts.”

Some, like user Bumpin_Along, disagreed, saying, “I wouldn’t… say people don’t give a s*** about you, but that’s close. People get wrapped up in their own world and if you have shown the ability to get things handled, then they probably assume you’ve got sh*t covered.” But most backed menace_64, saying, “I’ve found even when you reach out for help, most people still don’t give a s***,” or “They’ll use your troubles as a way to turn the attention back on themselves.”

“I dunno, I’m people and I don’t give a s*** about u/menace64. Seems pretty spot-on to me.” Cue: “Never before have I received such a feeling of validation by being not-shat-about.”

Touche.

The other side of the thread discussed what it felt like to finally feel like a legit adult. The common factor? Crisis.

“When s*** goes down and (your kids) look to you. That’s a pretty adult moment. You might be terrified inside but you can’t break down. You have to stay in control.”

And.

“I learned a few months back that I am fortunately fairly calm in a crisis. Daughter split her head open jumping on the bed. It was a bad cut, she needed staples to close it, and it was gushing blood. My immediate thought after ‘oh s***’ was ‘Gotta stay calm, because if she sees you panicking, she’s going to lose it…”

Some epiphanies were more gradual:

“I just got bored of gaming and drinking all the time. I feel like I found things I enjoy that are ‘adult’ things, and my career is just going along so I don’t feel like I have to prove myself at home or at work. I just kind of do whatever is getting me to my goals and it doesn’t feel like faking anything now.”

And.

“Legit enjoying ‘adult’ things I’m right there with ya man. I seriously enjoy fixing things and getting things setup/in order for whatever reason. On paper it sounds lifeless and mundane, but in practice it’s super rewarding.”

Others had heartfelt words of advice for fledgling “adults.”

“Substance abuse counselor here. I feel the same way, like I’m just winging it every day. I try to practice what I teach and take everything in my life one day or one hour at a time and I don’t get the overwhelming fear I’m doing wrong in this world but also make sure I take a minimum of one step, no matter how small, toward my short term goals every day as a way to keep an eye on my future.”

Other handy advice included:

  • By constantly trying to imagine what tomorrow will look like, you’ll end up with no answers and in a constant loophole.
  • Once you get older you realize there’s no big plan to how things are set out, you’re just winging it everyday.
  • Pay taxes, watch Netflix and drink beer.
  • Today is where the changes happen, tomorrow is just the consequence of today’s action.
  • There’s always someone ahead—the race is long, and in the end is only with yourself.

More responses that hit us in the ~feels~ included:

  • Those older than me always seem to want to know what my plan is. What I want to be and do work-wise etc, and criticize and punish you for not knowing… B*tch you’re 10 years older than me, you’re winging it too! You’re barely over 40. Just because I’m over 30 now doesn’t mean I’m doing a job I always dreamed of or even KNOW what I want to do.
  • “Just find your passion”, f*** off it’s not hidden behind the couch. How many people work in their passions? Not bloody many.
  • I am a math professor. Students occasionally ask something along the lines of; “Am I going to use this in the real world?” I’ve defaulted to: “No, because the real world doesn’t exist.”

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