Reaching adulthood can be a scary time as we no longer can rely solely on the bank of mom and dad, having to forge our own way into the world with no supporting hand to hold. However, this is a wonderful time as well though, once we get over the initial jitters! The independence and excitement afforded in our coming of age are like none we have ever known before. Becoming an adult need not be a hardship but rather a celebration. We all need a little guidance no matter how old we are and here you will find some little hints and tips on how to make the most of being all grown up.

Overcoming your fears

We might not like to admit it, and in fact, we may deny it, but when we are adults, we begin to compare ourselves to our peers constantly. There is always someone we knew at school who’s engaged, another who is somehow already on to their second degree, and another who’s just got what appears to be the promotion of a lifetime. We can’t help but envious of the achievements of others and be hard on ourselves for not accomplishing the same feats as them. The first thing to remember is that this is a completely normal feeling that every young person will feel at some point, even the people who seem to have the world at their feet.

The second thing you need to know is that you can easily conquer your fear of failure, stopping your self-doubt in its tracks, by changing your perspective on things. Just because others seem to be excelling doesn’t mean you aren’t and there is almost certainly someone looking at your life right now wishing it was theirs. Even the small things need to be celebrated as every new thing you learn or responsibility you take on as a young adult is a win and worthy of being proud of.

Flying Solo

We’ve all experienced it. Going home to see the family and being bombarded with questions about whether or not you have a boyfriend or girlfriend yet, as well-meaning aunties and uncles insist this is the time to start settling down and having a family. The pressure can feel enormous at times but why should it? Being single, especially when you’re young and just starting out, is a blessing, not a curse. This is the time to truly find out who you are and what you want out of life and being in a serious relationship might not always suit you. There are so many reasons to love being single. For one, your new found adulthood is a chance for freedom, travel, trying new things and a whole host of other exciting possibilities that aren’t compatible with settling down right now, so don’t be down, the right one will come along at the right time.

Sorting out the essentials

There are some essentials of being an adult that can seem difficult to sort out when we initially look at them, but once we realize they are necessities and that everyone has been in the same boat at one time or another, these essentials are not the monsters they first come across to be.

One such essential is sorting out your transportation. As you enter the work of full-time work, you will need a reliable vehicle to get you from A to B, and this will require you finding car insurance. It can be especially difficult for a young person as premiums are higher but this can be easily get sorted out by doing your research online by, for example, looking at an expert site such as Bonsai Finance and seeing what advice they can offer you. Being finically secure as a young person cannot be underestimated and, even though it might not be the most exciting of tasks, getting your car insured will give you the peace of mind to enjoy yourself.

Finding the job of your dreams

Of course, a huge part of being an adult is no more school, because now you days need to be filled with work and earning money to support yourself and, in the future, maybe even a partner and family. When we first leave school, even with all of your hard-earned qualifications, it is overwhelming to try and decide what we want to do with it all. A great place to start is to seek advice from everywhere we can, whether it is the internet, friends, family, or careers guidance counsellors. Doing so will take the pressure off of your shoulders and allow those who know you best to weigh in with their sage advice and opinions. A really important thing to remember is that, just because you are an adult, doesn’t mean you need to have a failsafe career mapped out for yourself, you just need to have the ball rolling.

A place to call home

Flying the nest is a milestone we all hope to accomplish but it can be difficult to raise the funds for your dream starter home. The key is to start small. Open a savings account and try and cut back on everyday items, putting the difference you save towards the bigger goal of owning your own home. By relinquishing the odd luxury, such as going for the unbranded chocolate rather than a huge box of bespoke Belgium truffles, can make all the difference and see you saving a healthy amount in no time at all.

Seeing the world

In the midst of all these pressures, it can be easily forgotten that youth is about having fun. While there are all these practicalities you need to deal with, remember that you can use your newly found independence to do, pretty much, whatever you want. For example, there are many reasons why you should travel and see new places, learn new languages, and maybe even settle down in a whole new country for a fresh start. The possibilities are endless. So, keep in mind that this is your life and you make the rules.