So I am 16 years old and I know I shouldn't think about that too much.. but what is it like to be an adult? I'm afraid of growing up.. I don't want my life to change. I want to go to school with my friends like the last 10 years...
So what is it like to be an adult? Is it difficult or is it great? Were you afraid of growing up too?
And what about your friends? Are you still friends even if you were going other ways?
Please tell me how it is..
(pictures aren't mine) (sorry for my mistakes in my English, I am from germany)
I like your Question, because we have all said the same thing okay so first of all stop putting that pressure on you because it's nothing more then a moment of time when we are born we were all given a gift and that gift is the freedom of choice it's not until you're 18 or you move out of your house did you really get to use that choice so what I mean by that is you get to choose who you want to be in life by the things you say and the things you do it's that simple who do you want to be are you going to be an asset to the world to your friends to strangers or do you choose to be a negative immoral a non-caring human being so are you going to work to better the planet are you going to work to take for the planet and keep it a dysfunctional place to live I can already tell you you're going to choose it's your choice be the best human being you can I can read it in your questions So try to stay a kid as long as you can experiencing that's what life is all about it is it an experience can you enhance the experience for yourself and others I think so but basically you will remain your same person that you are right now did each day you will grow people come people go out of your life you don't do you like yourself right now who you are because if you do you're going to be that same person tomorrow as you are today the moment you leave your parents house is when you were say I am confident to do it on my own I'm confident to go get a job to make money pay for my food my housing and anything and everything I want and then you have to know how to manage that time and that space you have to always be thinking ahead trying to make your life better and the people around you better you are who you hang out with that is for sure but don't look at it as a negative don't scared be confident you cannot sell the only way you can fail is not to try you have to kind of be like a squirrel and always gather things that will make you better start away for some day just always be thinking ahead find out who you are today so you can be that person tomorrow always love and care for others you have to remember something no matter what in life you have to work for it if you want to be a good person you have to understand yourself and work for it if you want to fall in love with somebody you have to understand yourself an experience that love before you can share it life is one big experience and you have to experience it to understand it don't be afraid to experience anything it's your choice make the right choice and choose who you want to be and all the rest will just fall in place the smile today be positive so you can love and smile tomorrow. And remember this one thing no matter whatever happens to you in life remember when you were two years old and you said enough of this I'm tired of crawling on the floor I'm going to learn how to walk and you stood up and you started to take a step and you fell and you looked around it shocked you and it did not stop you you stood back up and you get it again and you might have done it 20 different 30 different times but each time you stood up getting closer and closer to walking and what you got it going and you could walk anywhere big smile on your face look at me I'm a big shot LOL life is the same way if you fall down get back up and keep going you will get it and you'll become the best at it
I am still friends with the people from my previous school and we meet up in town and make plans.
I go to college and this is my last year of 5 years doing different types of diplomas, I will say that I was definitely nervous on my entrance of the college, on my first day I didn't know it would have the atmosphere that it does, I was expecting a more aggressive and stern environment like my last school, but in reality college is pretty free, students wear and dress however they want unless it causes issues for their practical sessions, there are a lot of students with dyed hair, smoking is completely fine, the students address the staff by first name and the cafe's are good.
The downsides are the assignments can pile up quite fast so you need to stay on top of it, but if you ask for help from staff and students or are lucky to have learning support staff, you can get help with the parts you need for finishing them and it will be easier.
... College is admittedly a gateway area for addiction, a lot of students do get stressed about deadlines and you tend to find more people smoking or drinking or vaping, it's just natural, unfortunate but it happens, I hope that if you go to college or University your addiction winds up being something less unhealthy, like chocolate or coffee etc. :)
I am at the phase of trying to get a career as a teaching assistant with the college once I finish, I have zero experience with jobs, this is the scary part for me, but I am trying to build confidence in a new step in life after college :)
I'm sure your life as an adult will be okay, rely on talking with friends when you have things to vent about and always ask for help from staff if you need it when you are studying, it makes things so much easier than trying to avoid asking them.
Being an adult there's different experiences for everyone. For me when I was your age I had to be the adult and leave home for my safety. So I grew up quickly. They will tell you a lot particularly in my senior year they will say things like you need to know now what you're going to do. But In all honesty that's bs. I'm 23 now and I've only just figured out what I'm wanting to do. There is a lot of benefits when it comes to being an adult but also a lot of responability. People will also try to take advantage of you in many ways so please be cautious about things like pyramid schemes etc. go with your gut. The amount of times my gut has saved me even though people told me I was paranoid it ended up being right every single time. I don't talk to anyone from highschool as a lot of us just kinda moved on In separate directions. Its not such a bad thing either as you find it will make you stronger but also give you the opportunity to make new friends. I'd suggest to stop worrying about the future. I know that's easier said then done. But take it day by day. Enjoy each moment of being 16. When you become an adult ask plenty of questions even if it's common knowledge ask. If people say to you back "Are you dumb?" Just say just because I don't know something doesn't make me dumb. It just means I don't know about those things. Like uncle Iroh said in ALTA "It is Important to draw wisdom from many places" and "Good times become good memories, but bad times makes good lessons. I hope this helps set your mind at ease. May peace be with you
Just enjoy life atm but mature now and adulting will be easier. Know the difference between right and wrong and know when to step up ( even if u don't want to) and do the things that are expected of you. When adulting it's easier when u let go of petty or childish things. Sometimes it's easier to bite your tongue. Learn to be more independent. Bc your friends will have their own lives and won't be there all the time. Take care of the things that are needed for you to be successful. And know your self worth!!! Sometimes depending on situations people will try to push u over. Don't ever be afraid to walk away when u know ur better than what is being offered. And don't rush life it'll happen. And know it's okay if things don't go your way. You can do any thing you put your mind to! Don't be scared! Go through life with your head held high and a smile on your face cuz everyone is more beautiful when they smile! And never forget to live life in the moment, and always enjoy the little moments in life! You can do this I believe in you!
As a kid you have parents who are there for you when there's any major problem. Your friends aren't the ones who take you to the hospital or would crawl through a forest fire to try and rescue you. As an adult, you realize a lot of people are "friends" as in, there when times are easy or they want something from you but not there when you have a major problem. Also as an adult you become more responsible (hopefully). Mommy & Daddy aren't going to buy you meals or cook for you. They're not going to pay the Internet bill, mobile bill, electrical bill, water bill... provide a home for you to live in and so on. It's all on you - or you and your husband. But once you get used to being responsible it's usually easy. If you make a mistake it can suck tho... and mistakes happen.
I'd rather be an adult than a kid because I control the direction of my life and have the opportunity to contribute to the future of the world just like our ancestors have for eons.
You'll make fewer mistakes in life if you learn from the mistakes of others and avoid doing the things that they did. Find people 30+ who have the kind of life you want to have when you're their age and ask them for advice. Ask your parents too, obviously.
Being alone as an adult is harder than it is to be an adult and in a relationship, but that doesn't mean that if you end up single you're doomed, so don't worry. Lol
I suggest you start working and get used to having a job, and get used to saving money.
Focus on things you want to do as an adult. Do you want to go to college? What kind of house do you want? How motivated can you get yourself by yourself? Fitness goals? Etc...
Learning how to manage stress is the main thing right now, as you will be very stressed out in various points in life. Resilience is key to management. But don't desensitize yourself, because you will forget your purpose and miss it.
Responsibility comes in many forms. Doing what is right, accounting for your actions, being a good Samaritan. What you bring to your community, what you bring to your workplace, what kind of person are you, etc... And if you don't know don't worry just be yourself. But do right. And you know what's wrong.
But hey, most of us adults barely have our lives figured out. So why ask us? Lol. We're just riding this Rock til we get buried one day. Not to be morbid, but yeah.
Be mindful of what you leave behind, and you can leave some beautiful things behind on this earth.
As an adult you have to take responsibility for your own life and often those of other people as well. For most people that includes getting a job that provides an income sufficient to live off of and often to support others. But this doesn't mean you can't enjoy life and have fun. The more responsibility you take on the less time you will have for fun. It all depends on what is important to you. If you want a family then you have to accept the fact that you will likely have a lot less fun. You should also know that while your thinking and priorities will evolve as you get older, inside you will always retain many of the feelings you have now. At 16 you should have a pretty good idea to what extent that will be. If you liked Barbie dolls at 7 and still like them at 16 but at 16 you're more of a collector than someone who simply plays with those dolls then at 50 you will probably still collect Barbie dolls. If you've completely lost interest in that by 16 you will probably never want to have those dolls again. Don't worry too much about things like that though.
All this said I do suggest at 16 you start to think (if you have not already done so) start thinking about what you think you might like to do as an adult which you almost are. I suggest you make a list of things you might like to do and put them on index cards then arrange them in order of what you like the most. Then explore ways to make a living doing that.
Up to a point, you can make your own decisions and do your own thing,
however you are responsible for your own decisions and have to live with them.
it’s fun, you have freedom to do what you want, but with that comes responsibility,
key things, never lose your teen sense of wanting to know more and to learn new stuff, or that crazy sense of humour, do not get serious as you are, keep a hold of that spark of youthful exuberance.
You decide what you want to achieve and how you achieve it.
you have to make important decisions at times.
People will often listen to you more simply because you are an adult, even though you said the same thing as a teen.
we get one shot at life, live it to the full, enjoy every second, stay safe and well and a shit load of fun living it.
I’m nearly 18 which is only a few years older than you but I can tell you that big changes do happen from 16 to 18. Not just in school but you do make new friends and lose contact with others, choose what your future will be like and how you’ll pursue it, I feel like there is more stress for both the present and future problems and you’re probably more aware of these problems. But yeah, I’m not insightful into adulthood obviously but I would say that safety net of childhood changes once you leave your high school/secondary school, so 18+ and in college/uni. Sorry but changes are inevitable but don’t worry, you’ll grow to like them or be thankful because you’ll get freedom and new experiences and it’s just life
Not too much different than existence as a 16 year old. There's added responsibility, but by that time you've already developed the faculties for handling such responsibility if you grow up fairly normal. As a 16 year old, you have responsibilities such as chores, homework, etc. As an adult, the responsibilities are more but you also have more to help you in life. Usually, you're earning more money, have more friends, etc. It all varies from person to person, but this is what I have observed and experienced for myself.
As an adult, YOU will establish your limits and boundaries. If things go wrong, you will have no one to blame but yourself. This is called responsibility, and your parents should be preparing you for it.
As for friends, you will met and make new ones, but you'll also stay close with old friends. I still have friends from high school (gymnasium), and I graduated in 1978!
Do I like being an adult? Yes, I do, but it isn't always easy.
Would I want to turn back the clock and find myself back in school? No! Please, no!
I've been "adulting" since I was 16. But it's basically not different 90% of the time. Only difference really is - you end up doing laundry every other day - your weekends are planned around your cleaning schedule - you are constantly thinking about what to make for dinner - suddenly feel like less of a person for not making your bed - when you need to ask an adult for help but realize you are the adult. - getting genuinely excited over freebies, discounts, appliances, house decor, and cleaning products that actually work! - baby fever. Fuck baby fever.
If you had a really good friend it's possible to keep in contact years after graduation. I only had one good friend at high school because I suck at socializing and after 5 years of graduation we still hang out together at least once a week. I doubted our friendship once or twice at my lowest point in life but nothing's actually happened. I just overthink things.
I was never afraid of growing up. I thought adult and high school life won't be that different. The difference is just school vs working. I'm not afraid or excited for growing up. It's just a part of a human's life.
So picture yourself like this, Take all the money you have and give half to the government and the rest to everyone else... the constant need to sleep has killed your social life, your friends are pretty much the same which means at the weekends (the only time your not working) you get to clean the house, do the washing and then get drunk... add in being tiered, with 4 teenagers constantly telling you they need things and telling you how hard they are done too, and telling you to put clothes on in your own house.. your getting close to it..
Well, you have bills, you get more responsibilities and that is about it for awhile until you start to get older, then your body starts betraying you and your not as invincible as you once where, things start acheing and things you could do before you can't now. Otherwise its kind of the same (honestly I always thought adults knew what was going on and then I became one and realized they don't know anything and are just faking competence for the most part.).
As for how it is, well its a mixed bag just like your teenage years, you have more responsibiiltes and everything is on you unlike in teen years, but unlike teen years your also freer and can do what you want and your not beholden to other peoples rules nearly as much. So its not better or worse, just different.
I like it! I was one of those that was eager to grow up and get out of the house. Freeedommmm! I can do whatever I want. I'm typing this in my boxer briefs while drinking.
As for friends, I've had to say goodbye to many in pursuit of things that put a big physical distance between us. But you make new ones. You get to have your own place and venture out and meet all sorts of people. It's exciting.
It's a little scary in the beginning. Like where do I go, what do I do, how do I pay? But you just ask people lots of questions and they point you in the right direction. Then you got your own place and it's like you can do whatever you want.
I’m 16(the age is wrong here and I’m not able to change it 😑) don’t worry girly! You’re gonna be fine. Sure, some things will change, but sometimes change is good. Don’t think too much into it. Go with the flow. You’re young, jus try to enjoy life! ✨
It sucks...😳😀 Lol Being an adult is way more challenging than. A child. Treasure your youth as much as possible At the same time however growing up is a part of life and nothing you can avoid... or should fear. Life is what you make of it. If you sit around in fear and whine and complain expecting things to be handed to you... playing the "victim" the adulthood will kick your ass. If you work hard and go for what you want while still enjoying life and finding time for fun... it can be a fairly awesome chapter of your life Childhood is for running and falling Laughing and crying Loving and learning So when you get old... lol... you won't have to learn all that stuff at a difficult and awkward age
Using your childhood to become a happy and successful adult is the key to life...
Some things change. I found I have fewer acquaintances who I consider "friends" now. I've known my best friend 30 years.
I wasn't a socialite as a teenager but I had a few friends I'd known at creche I'm still in contact with 45 years later. Scares the crap out of me that I've got memories that old.
My mind still struggles that I'm not 21 any more but my body has moments I wonder if I'm older than 49 lol!
Wondering what it's like to be "grown up" is normal. I'm still doing it and I've got a young son to raise.
We moved around a lot when I was a kid so I kept having new friends. It isn't that much of a big deal to make new friends. I'm also smart enough not to struggle in life, I go for 4 -5 months holidays every year and never set an alarm to wake up. Once my high school teacher told us that many people would be better off even with feudalism as they wouldn't have too much responsibility. If you're good at dealing with responsibilities being adult has lot of potential and you can live a really cool life enjoying freedom.
Pathetic. I just wanna be a kid again. We're FORCED to have some passion for career. Yes we can like a job but if you're doing that thing for 15 hours a day no matter whatever the job is you'll get so fed up. The way this world works is so fucked up 90% earn money survival and 10% personal time (social life, self time, rest, relationships or home).
It's different for everyone and that all depends on the choices you make, I made the wrong ones and I have seen the results, from experience I'd give you advice to finish school, don't fall for peer pressure if you don't want something and choose your friends wisely and keep your circles small
Hi there, I have great news for you, it will be amazing as long as you go the right path, as in school, university or work. Honestly, you won't even remember what you did when you where 16 because you are absolutely busy with your new life, new beginnings, new house, NEW YOU new everything. Accept the challange to grow, don't be scared, and adapt to growing, nothing and I PROMISE nothing bad will happen as long as you don't allow it. Good luck _ Viel Glùck
Girl, I'm 18 and same. And even in these last 2 years I've had a hard time with life changing but you have to accept it is just part of life. I always remind myself you can only take things day by day. However life changes, there's always going to be opportunities to do something different. Enjoy today because it won't come back and tomorrow will just keep coming whether you like it or not.
