Before we jump in, I want to define a couple of terms.
Fake adult:One who lives on their own, but still relies on their parents for money, emotional support, or a place to stay during holidays and summers. (i.e. college students.)
Adulting: The act in which one is simultaneously doing something while fully (kind of) understanding what they are doing; the act in which one can correlate actions and thoughts. (i.e. parents.)
Sometimes we find ourselves in conversations with others and they will say, "Wow! You really have your life together!" Then you bust out laughing. Your response will come out along the lines of, "You're kidding, right? Are you joking? No way."
However, events happen in life that make one have to understand what adulting is really like. And it. is. horrifying. Nonetheless, we get through it and afterwards, we feel this weird feeling and this thought races through our head- "Am I being an adult?"
I thought I would take this time to share a personal story of my realization that I'm transforming from a fake adult into a real one. And yes, I'm scared as hell.
This summer has been one of many great memories and that of not so great ones. First of all, I finished my sophomore year in college. My second year of being in New York City, 3,000 miles away from my hometown and away from everything I ever knew. Not only that, but right before finals week, I was approved for a loan and I was so excited. I know what you're thinking, "Why in the world would you be excited?!" Because, it is my loan. Not my parents or my aunt's, but mine. It was no one's responsibility but mine. My parents didn't have to worry about my schooling anymore and that was an incredible feeling.
However, that great feeling of relief didn't last for long. Once home, I was faced with one of the hardest decisions in my young 20 years. Do I put down my dog, my baby, the only thing that has ever been consistent in my life for the past 14 years, or do I watch her suffer? I decided to put her down within the first three days I was home.
I received a phone call that my grandfather passed away, I have jumped from job to job because the internship I was promised fell through the day I came home, and honestly, I went through a stage of depression. Growing up, I was always told, "Life isn't going to be easy for you. You're not rich, you're a Christian and you're stubborn as hell. Don't expect the easy way of things." I'll let you in on a little secret. Your parents are usually right. *gasp*
The best thing about hitting rock bottom is knowing that there is nowhere but up from there.
Ever since these series' of unfortunate events, life has been going up, up, and away. I built this incredible relationship with my mom's parents, something I never had. Not only that, but I have gotten to know so many of my family members that I never dreamed of having a friendship with. I was blessed to be able to finally repay my mom (kind of) for all she's done for me by getting her a new puppy and a laptop. I got an amazing job offer for when I go back to school. I get to see all of my friends and my apartment in less than two weeks. Right now, I can't complain.
Of course, you will always have bad days. And with that, you will have good days. You have to take the good with the bad and sometimes suck it up, freshen up your makeup, and get on with your bad self. I just want you all to know, whoever you are, where ever you are, no matter what season of your life this is- you are not alone. You are beautiful. And this, too, shall pass.
