on adulthood

A lot of things have been said and written on stepping into an adult life. Marked by turning 18, graduating or becoming financially independent, it appears as a sudden disillusion that life cannot be everything that we want. A certain switch inside our head that is forced to get realistic and make specific plans. A realisation that what our parents have been repeating all these years might be actually right. A huge compromise to swallow.

Our generation seems scared of that moment so badly, it might be worth trying to redefine it - make it feel approachable, more like a venture, rather than a one-way life shift, a river of no return. Starting with a flattering thought, one can view it as an act of courage. A moment where we pull ourselves together with an effort, yet not to meet another long list of expectations, rather, to eventually recognise own dreams. Adulthood is about making those decisions we feel capable of making, as we pass a certain level of life experience that allows to be bolder. It is also a gate to greater freedom. Freedom of ideas we can stand for and support. A chance to talk about the world with the words we were always longing to use, they just start coming our way. A liberty to consciously admit we have no opinion on certain things, because adulthood is about being smart enough to realise how little do we know.

A final end to procrastination and doubt, a jump into self-satisfaction and ease, as we take the life into our hands. No matter success or the failure, those two terms are on the opposite ends and we will always waver in between. But how much better to sway in the wind spurred by our own actions instead of being constantly dependent on the external, feeling deep remorse we never took the challenge ? At the end of that tunnel, there will always be regret.

Adulthood as balance of things silly and serious, when we can justify moments of weakness by regular effort the adult life requires. We do not need to loose our youthful spirit or stop dreaming, we can just find a midpoint to make our life as constructive, as much as it will be adventurous.

Finally, adulthood means to find home. Metaphorically, because home might be a specific place on the map or the whole world for those endlessly wandering. It is a moment when we come to realise we know ourselves good enough to decide where we will feel and live well. We are ready to define our life requirements - let it be having a fair trade coffee shop around the corner of your apartment or a bunch of quiet parks to stroll in the city you settle in. It's a time when one can focus on bigger ideas, as irrational fears are pushed aside. It's swimming into the deep waters to see where they can take us. We should believe they carry us to the land where we discover our own greatness.