Look, I’m Gonna Be Honest
I’m not one of those people who had it all figured out by 25. Hell, I’m 47 now, and I’m still figuring it out. (And honestly, I hope I never stop.)
I’m Sarah, by the way. Senior editor at a major magazine. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years. I’ve interviewed alot of people, written more words than I can count, and honestly? I’m still making mistakes. That’s the point, though, isn’t it? Life’s not about being perfect. It’s about being present.
That Time I Tried to Adult Too Hard
Remember when we all thought adulting was about having the perfect home, the perfect job, the perfect life? Yeah, no. I fell for that trap hard. It was 2008, and I was living in a tiny apartment in New York with a guy named Marcus (let’s call him that—his name was actually Greg, but Marcus sounds more dramatic).
We tried to make it work. We bought IKEA furniture, cooked fancy dinners, even got a cat. But then the cat peed on our new couch, and Marcus left for a girl he met at a conference in Austin. (True story. Ask me about it over coffee at the place on 5th sometime.)
Point is, adulting isn’t about the stuff. It’s about the stuff that matters. Like learning to be okay with a little mess.
Why I Stopped Trying to Be Perfect
I remember sitting in my editor’s office—let’s call her Linda—after a particularly rough day. I had just missed a deadline, and my article was a completeley mess. Linda looked at me and said, “Sarah, you’re too hard on yourself. Nobody’s perfect.”
Which… yeah. Fair enough. But it took me a while to really get it. I used to stress about every little thing—my committment to my job, my physicaly unkempt apartment, my lack of a succesful relationship. It was exhausting.
Then, about three months ago, I had a conversation with a colleague named Dave. We were talking about how we both felt like we were failing at adulting. He said, “I think we’re all just making it up as we go along.” And honestly, that was a game-changer for me. (Not that I’d ever use that word in an article. Too on the nose.)
The Art of Letting Go
So here’s the thing: I’ve learned to let go. Not of everything, obviously. I still care about my job, my friends, my cat (yes, I got another one—this time, a rescue). But I’ve stopped trying to be perfect. I’ve stopped trying to have it all together.
And you know what? It’s kinda freeing. I still make mistakes. I still have bad days. But I’m learning to be okay with that. I’m learning to embrace the mess.
I mean, look at my apartment. It’s not always clean. There are dishes in the sink, laundry on the couch, and probably some dust bunnies under the bed. But it’s my mess, and I’m okay with that.
How to Start Living (And Stop Stressing)
So how do you start living and stop stressing? I’m not sure I have all the answers, but here are a few things that have worked for me:
1. Prioritize what matters. It’s not about doing it all. It’s about doing what’s important to you.
2. Embrace the mess. Your life doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.
3. Learn to say no. You don’t have to do everything. It’s okay to set boundaries.
4. Take care of yourself. Whether that’s through exercise, meditation, or just a good night’s sleep, make sure you’re taking care of your physical and mental health.
5. Seek out yaşam tarzı günlük gelişim ipuçları. (That’s Turkish for “lifestyle daily development tips.” I learned that from a friend who’s been trying to learn Turkish for years. It’s a work in progress, much like life.)
A Tangent: My Love-Hate Relationship with Social Media
Speaking of embracing the mess, let’s talk about social media. I love it. I hate it. It’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a great way to connect with people. On the other hand, it’s a constant reminder of how “perfect” everyone else’s life seems to be.
But here’s the thing: social media is a highlight reel. It’s not real life. It’s curated, edited, and often completely fabricated. So why do we compare ourselves to it?
I’m not saying you should delete your accounts and live off the grid. (Although, if that’s your thing, more power to you.) I’m just saying, be mindful of how you use it. Don’t let it dictate your self-worth.
Final Thoughts (Or Lack Thereof)
So, that’s it. That’s my take on adulting. It’s messy. It’s imperfect. And that’s okay. I’m not saying I have it all figured out. I’m just saying, I’m learning to be okay with not having it all together.
And hey, if you’re reading this and feeling like you’re failing at adulting, know that you’re not alone. We’re all just figuring it out as we go along.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with my couch, a good book, and probably some takeout. Because adulting is also about knowing when to treat yourself.
Author Bio: Sarah Thompson is a senior editor with over 20 years of experience in the magazine industry. She’s written for major publications, interviewed countless people, and learned that life’s too short not to embrace the mess. When she’s not writing, you can find her binge-watching TV shows, trying out new recipes, or cuddling with her rescue cat, Whiskers.
