12 Comments

I still feel like I'm transforming and gaining wisdom or maturity. In some ways, I think I was a late bloomer. Maybe I was more like a wild horse that needed to be tamed... Of course, I started to feel more like an adult when I graduated from HS, went to college, got married, moved away, became a mama, etc., but I don't think I really felt like an adult until I lost my mother when I was 35. My boys were only two and 6mo. I remember feeling lost with these two little boys (thankfully, I have very helpful and wise siblings and a fantastic partner). I definitely felt like more of an adult at that point.

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I recently read a book that had an ant-like insectoid species in it, the "antineum." The species was undergoing an evolution. Antineum warriors that used to be part of the hive-mind were starting to become 'individual." One of their problems was that they all looked identical, so to differentiate themselves, they began painting their carapaces based on their experiences. Becoming an adult is similar. The experiences we have color us - like layers of paint. They add up - hopefully/eventually into wisdom (fingers crossed). There was no single adult threshold for me. This is a layering process- losing my virginity, getting a car, moving out from my parents home, graduating from high school, then college, getting married, holding my first born, then my second, the list goes on. Deep inside I still feel like the kid I was, I'm just a lot more colorful now.

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That's beautiful, David.

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I still don’t feel like an adult most days ha! I would say I feel the most “adult” or grown up whenever I take care of someone who is sick. It forces you to quickly jump into action, drop other non-important things and prioritize. It’s not easy but it’s necessary. It also teaches responsibility and accountability. Even if it’s just David having a cold or Odin getting hurt or something, I feel like I immediately go into “adult mode”! I can’t recall the first moment it happened.. but earlier on in life

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That's so true. You do kind of "snap" into doing what's needed.

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I think I was 30 years old. We had just had our first child and we were on our way home from the hospital with our newborn. I was sitting in the backseat with the screaming baby thinking..oh no. What is this creature and what do I do with her? Our new life.. It turned out ok. ;)

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Yes, your life turned out pretty awesome! I remember also sitting in the backseat with Jackson. David had a similar response to yours. Funny!

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I really felt like an adult after getting married and moving to a new city. It was a new adventure.

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Yes, those are "adulting" (I hate that term) milestones.

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I first felt like an adult when I went to college at 18.

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You're not alone with that answer. Were you excited, scared, both?

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Both! It was a fun time.

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