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I remember when I was 18, I thought that the 16-year-old me was a dumb little boy. When I became 20, I felt the same way about my 18-year-old self. When I turned 22, same feeling about my 20-year-old self. And so it went until I became 26 when I finally started to feel like, yah, I’m an adult now, and I make good adult decisions. It just felt like it.

Well, this sudden realization of adulthood comes to all of us, whether in the form of a simple “huh, so that’s what it feels like” or in an epic divine intervention whereby God’s angelic servant descends from the clouds and gives you a slip of paper that says “Welcome to adulting, enjoy it”. Or anything in between.

And folks online have been sharing the former, the latter and the in between on Reddit lately. In particular, this all happened in a now-viral AskReddit thread that asked the question when is the first time you remember feeling like an adult?

Bored Panda gathered the best responses and stories and compiled an epic list for you to enjoy, upvote, and comment on below.

More Info: Reddit

#1

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults When I got mad that they rearanged the grocery store

Filord99 , Jonny Hunter Report

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Aisling Raye
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My least favorite part of moving isn't the packing/unpacking/moving furniture stuff....it's having to learn the layout of a new grocery store. That sh!t sucks!!!!!

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#2

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults I wanted to buy a box of fruit roll ups. But was feeling weird about it because as a kid we were not allowed to get it. It was to expensive and parents didn’t want to buy it. At some point While I was thinking about putting it down it dawned on me that I was a grown a*s man with my own income. I bought like 20 boxes.

kup2202 , Phillip Pessar Report

#3

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults Just after turning 16, mom was already in parts unknown for a few years and my dad left us for work in another state, I became legally emancipated by the state of New York. I filed for welfare to help pay my rent and received food stamps. Still had to work to cover the other half of bills. All while finishing my last 2.5 years of high school. I believe that's when I felt all adulty.

KidSushi76 , normanack Report

#4

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults When I stopped going to bars and clubs. I was at some club that a friend was doing some promo work for, and I didn't want to go. It was 11pm on a Friday, and I had to find parking, and then the club was not doing well that night. I just saw a few people on the floor, I got hit on by someone that had more red flags than a Mao Zedong rally, sitting on a half-chair/half-barstool cutting off circulation to my swollen feet and ankles. Plus, I couldn't hear anyone worth s**t, and the mere thought of drinking may way through it went from "this is what you do to have fun" to "I shouldn't be drinking to force fun: s**t ain't fun, period. What a crock." And suddenly, I realized there was no FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) here. I used to attend so many things because of FOMO.

First weekend I spent in my apartment alone with no reason but not working. I did nothing. Nothing at all. I planned nothing. Before this epiphany, I would have seen this as a huge warning flag my life was the express headed to Losertown, but suddenly... I didn't give a S**T. And I felt like this immense release. I never understood why my dad did nothing on the weekends growing up, and suddenly, I got it.

Life has been so much better ever since. I felt like I stopped trying to be the "rebellion of youth" and a responsible adult for a change.

punklinux , jencu Report

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#5

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults I woke up, opened the curtains and looked outside at a beautiful sunny day. I thought to myself "It's a great day to hang the washing out"

Then I instantly thought ach jeez I'm getting old.

AesopSkate , Christian Haugen Report

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Bill Evs
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I literally did this just today. In fact I'm going to stand in my garden right now and admire them drying

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#6

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults My best friend's partner died abruptly one morning in under her eyes and she called me, and I had to sort myself out and step up for her. In that moment I thought "well we're not kids anymore and it's not a "my crush ignored me heeeelp" kind of teenage emergency, now you're an adult dealing with adult s**t". I helped her the best I can and I hope it made a difference for her it this hard time.

boudikit , Steven Lilley Report

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Ellie
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I assure you that you being there for her DEFINITELY made a difference. Thank you.

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#7

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults When I made my christmas wish-list and thought to myself:

"I could use some socks..."

RandomNameOfDoom , Tamsin Slater Report

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Natasha
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mum always said, you can walk around in your socks when you wash them yourself. As an adult, I walk around in my socks and accept the consequences of washing them. I LOVE walking around in my socks.

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#8

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults Growing up our apartment caught fire. I remember running in and out of it, wearing just shorts (no time to put on clothes), because I knew we didn't have insurance and I had to get as much stuff out of it as possible so we didn't lose it. I remember running into my bedroom which was on fire to carry out my computer.

Looking back, that moment where I realized I risked my life and/or injury to avoid financial problems, was the day I think I really understood how the adult world works.

LastPhoenixFeather , Maurice Koop Report

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#9

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults One day it somehow was wayyy too exciting when I went to a shop and found some really nice kitchenware that’s also easy to clean. That’s when I knew

4206936031415 , RG in TLV Report

#10

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults I was broke and homeless and walking down the street and realized it was all up to me, and only me, to get out of that situation.

mtotheija , Joe Green Report

#11

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults Ya know that drawer that has everything, shoe laces, batteries, twist ties, spare cords, "extra" hardware from "projects", bottle opener, deck o cards, bobby pin, yes, That drawer. When I moved out and realized I needed to make my own junk drawer was when it hit pretty hard.

Abydesbythydude , Marné Lierman Report

#12

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults I knew I was an adult the day the judge said "We're trying you as an adult."

xAUSxReap3r , Sora Shimazaki Report

#13

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults When i realized nobody can stop me from buying a jar of nutella and then just eat it with a spoon. Obviously not the entire thing in one sitting but something about being able to do almost anything with no universe popup being like *you sure dude?* made me feel like an adult.

ScifiDeath , Jennifer Boyer Report

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Aisling Raye
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love yen addition of "obviously not the whole thing at once." The whole internet knows that there is no way you (or pretty much anyone) hasn't done it at least once. :)

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#14

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults I work with children with special needs, there was a time that a decision needed to be made about a child’s school placement, and everyone in the room was waiting for my opinion (including parents). That was a really weird feeling, and the first time I realised I was an adult in other peoples eyes.

The first time I felt properly old, was when I had a manager who was younger than me (now had a couple).

Having to sort out some problems with my father’s mental health was also a weird experience, that definitely made me realise that I’m not a child anymore.

But honestly, I still feel like a child despite being 40 and balding.

MyOtherNameIsWorse , Ben Chun Report

#16

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults When I started feeling alienated from my peers because their common problems were just minor inconveniences in my eyes.

Not_Jim3 , patilincortes Report

#17

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults When I was buying my own groceries and had survived for two weeks on my own. I figured I must be doing it right since I wasn’t feeling hungry or diminished.

il_cappuccino , Quinn Dombrowski Report

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Seedy Vine
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did my first solo grocery trip at age 17. Forgot I didn't have a car. Tried carrying four bags of groceries while walking back to my apartment. It was really awkward.

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#18

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults In college, I was with some friends at a party and one of them fell and busted his face so badly, he started bleeding badly. I went looking for someone to do something when I realized I was the only sober one there. Not a fun night or feeling.

YellowStar012 , Graham Hills Report

#19

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults When I got *excited* about buying a couch. It was decent, not like super expensive leather, but nice looking. I feel the same way still, nearly 20 years later, whenever I buy stuff like that. I bought a washer and dryer set a few years ago and remember commenting to a friend that it still feels weird doing these adult things and still looking forward to them.

Ambadastor , Chuckcars Report

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Bec
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For me it was replacing the almost rusted out water heater. Not an exciting purchase but the peace of mind knowing it wasn't going to break in the middle of the night was great

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#20

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults The first day I moved out of parents house. I didn’t have toilet paper or food or drinks. That’s when reality hit

IThinkMyLegsAreBroke , Stefan Andrej Shambora Report

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Nathaniel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I moved out, toilet roll was the thing I kept forgetting. Too many trips to the kitchen for the kitchen paper. Then comes the day when you realise you are out of kitchen roll as well....

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#21

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults Truly felt like an adult? When I brought my son home from the hospital. I was 26. Everything up until the felt like small potatoes adulthood.

bumpercarbustier , Don DeBold Report

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LuckyL
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was just sitting in our D&D group yesterday and looked at the group and had this "we're all in our mid thirtys, having kids - and here we are, playing D&D" thought. That's not what I imagined adults were doing, when I was young.

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#22

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults When I saw people younger than me waste time on dead relationships, partying and dead end jobs. I realised I was now able to see the bigger picture and quite literally felt so old and responsible.

blackpepper42 Report

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Mary August
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The picture keeps getting bigger with every decade and I kinda like it that your look on life keeps changing.

#23

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults When I was shopping and a man said to their kid, "watch the lady" so that they would budge.

Amazing_Complaint_13 , Mike Mozart Report

#24

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults The day I paid my taxes online. I know I overpaid, but getting it out of the way and doing it by myslef felt good. I was an adult now I have full goddam credence to complain about the government.

triotone , Free photo on UkrMedia Report

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BadCat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I overpay on my taxes, too, just in case they do me one over on some bs. It's accredited back but, boy, do they ever hate it when you don't collect money they owe you.

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#25

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults The first time I didn’t have to ask for permission to go out

ag9910 , joey zanotti Report

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TheDivineMsM
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Post aside, that girls hair makes me really nervous so close to the wheel spokes.

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#26

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults First time my electricity got turned off and I was like “oh s**t! Bills!”

This_Personality3731 , Barry Walker Report

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Blitzø
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why does this give me Sims vibes... the amount of times I've forgotten to pay

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#27

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults It's been fairly recently. I always felt like a kid, even for those few short years that I've been an adult.

I was at work, passing by a mirror. I glanced at it, and walked back to it, because I had dandruffs on my shoulders, and wanted to see if I brushed them off properly. As I finished brushing them off, I noticed that some of them got stuck in my beard. I took a closer look at my beard, and there it was- my face. And the realization hit me like a brick covered in lemon juice.

There are a lot of gray hairs in my beard now. My hair used to be always short, and now it grew all the way to my shoulders in what seems to be like a month. I have circles under my eyes. I am currently trying to go from a part-timer to a full-time employee. I am not the youngest employee in my work anymore. In fact, I helped to train a few part-timers myself. I help my mom pay bills. My sister had moved away a few years ago. I am not as interested in video games as I used to be. I lack energy most days. My body hurts a lot more than it used to. My nicotine and alcohol consumption is out of control (nicotine pouches, vape, snorting tobacco). Some friends from primary and secondary school became bald.

And I'm only 22. I was so afraid of becoming an adult... and here it is. I feel no different, and yet, I am scared and lost. Time is getting faster. A few years ago, a year seemed like an eternity. I'd wait for my birthday, Halloween, Christmas, and it'd take too long. Now it all seems to just fly right past me in the blink of an eye. Years are shorter, months are becoming weeks, days are starting to melt together into the same routine separated only by a brief sleep. I am losing connections to my old friends.

It's weird.

BandicootSVK , osseous Report

#28

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults Truly felt like THE adult at my father's funeral.

kestral_120 , Tim Green Report

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Aunt Riarch
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lenny Henry said he thought he was grown up when he had a child, but it hit him when his mother died because he wasn't anyone's kid any more

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#29

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults A long time ago my child (about 1 at the time) could not sleep and he wanted to sit with me and a visiting friend and I said something like: " so you want to sit with the grown up people?" and it hit me. I was the grown up people. I was in my late 20s at the time.

The milestones of living on my own, marriage and such were long past then, but with my own child it really hit me. Adult. Responsible. Grown Up

AloneAlternative2693 , Nenad Stojkovic Report

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#30

30 Folks Recall Moments They Were Hit With The Realization That They Are Adults Starting my first full-time 9-5 job.

galaxymaster1277 , Jennifer Feuchter Report

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Felice Coles
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It hits you that you can't sleep away the day and start working on your tasks at 10 PM.

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