How do I grow up?

Question

This is a broad question, but I am on my way to being 20 and feel like I still have a long way to go. I don't know what I should know to be an adult, and just feel bad about being an overgrown kid. Especially comes in the area of beliefs. I feel like I have to be told what is right or what to believe, and I'm not able to fend for myself.I don't know if this makes any sense, but if you can help, maybe give me a few tips on what you learned reaching maturity what exactly maturity means, I would be very satisfied.

Answer 1

I often feel the same way and I just turned 22 I have a 4 yr. old daughter and I live 700 miles away from my closest relatives. I have a lot of days where I don't feel like an adult. I still feel like a 16 yr. old kid who should be answering to someone and be told what to do. Especially in a work environment where my fellow employees are much older than me, I feel like I'm trying to act grown up. I am responsible I mean I have a child to provide for so I have to be responsible but sometimes I think about myself being 22 and it is almost unbelievable because I still feel like a 16 yr. old kid. I can tell you this, life doens't come with a manual unfortunately, and there aren't specific things you need to know to be an adult, with time it will come to you but I don't know how long it will take to actually feel like an adult on the same level with older adults. Don't let it bother you just take one day at a time..one day we will both be 65 yrs. old and we will be wishing we felt like this again.

Answer 2

Growing up takes time--you don't need to rush it. I'm 25, and I've had a hard time sometimes too. Just try to be responsible in your work and school (if you're in school), but allow yourself to loosen up and have fun sometimes too. Don't stress about it. Things will get better as you get older.

When you say beliefs, are you talking about religious or moral beliefs? If so, why not study out what people are telling you so you can find out what you really believe? For example, if you're a Christian but don't feel like you know the Bible that well, read it and make up your own mind about what it says. Don't just take what other people say about it as fact without reading it for yourself. If you're talking about moral or ethical beliefs, look at both sides of various issues and decide how you really feel about it.

Also, do you live with your parents? If so, one thing that might help would be to get your own apartment, if possible, or at least get an apartment or dorm room (if you're in school) that you share with a friend. Living on your own will help you learn better how to be an adult and will make you less dependent on other people.

Just remember, growing up takes a while, and it takes many steps to get there. Take things one day at a time, doing the best you can, and you'll be fine.

Answer 3

You should grow up in these areas:
1. Be able to balance a checkbook.
2. Get a credit card to establish credit. Only USE once or twice. Do not exceed more than $150 of debt with the card (you'll thank me one day). By making your payments on time, you will establish good credit.
3. Know where and how to pay bills, car payments, and insurance.
4. Be understanding of others and compassionate as well. These two traits will serve you well in the years to come.


*Note*Questioning adults/authority/and beliefs are very important in growing up. It means that your mind is developing fully and that you want to find the truth in all that you are told.

Finally, don't "grow up", at least where fun is concerned. Enjoy life, work when its time to work, play when its time to play. The fun things that you may think are childish now-well, stop doing them when they are no longer fun.

Answer 4

There are no rules- for what you should or should not know. There are also no rules on what "maturity" is.
Learn about who you are - and think about what you like.
It sounds like you are between stages - Let it be that way.