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Once you were dreaming of becoming an astronaut, visiting the furthest places, climbing the highest mountains, finding the biggest love, and then it was all gone one day.

Adulthood happened. It knocked on the door, handed you responsibilities you were not ready for and said that everything’s on your shoulders now. So now, most of my fellow dear millennials are juggling between things like the pandemic that made the world feel like an apocalyptic movie you didn’t sign up for, student loans, unaffordable rent, crazy expensive mochas your body nevertheless needs no-questions-asked, barely fine Tinder dates, sleepless Netflix binges, stressful jobs or the even more stressful absence of one, and lots other things nobody prepared us for.

So, dear adults, even though we can’t just get back to our childhood which equals devouring Harry Potter books and carelessly sleeping under the stairs, we can laugh at the absurdity we’re in right now. Scroll down through the best tweets that sum up adult life below and prepare to laugh and cry, and then laugh. Who cares, they already think of millennials as not very stable ones.

Navigating through adulthood is the job of a lifetime. I have been an adult for more than a decade, and I am still learning to be one. I suspect I am not the only one. So I spoke with Francis Merson, the clinical psychologist awarded the Australian Psychology Society Prize in 2015, who was happy to share some very interesting and useful insights about it.

“People can often get stuck in patterns of behavior during childhood which persist into adulthood and prevent them developing true autonomy,” Francis said and added that there are many ways in which this can happen. “People who have been traumatized can internalize a victim identity, which makes it scary for them to act independently as adults. People who are emotionally neglected can also revert to child-like modes, where they rely excessively on partners and friends to help them deal with the world and their own emotions.”

It can also happen to people who are overindulged since they “might grow up with the expectation that others should sort out their lives for them,” Francis added.

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James016
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My wife: "What shall we have tonight?" Me: "I don't know"......repeat until we decide to eat the pizza we have in the freezer

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Even though it might be easy to judge people who just can’t seem to adult properly, Francis argues that it’s important to be compassionate and remember that these people didn’t choose the early experiences that underpin their difficulties today.

More importantly, Francis argues that there’s no such thing as the perfect adult—“someone who is unfailingly responsible, rational and emotionally balanced. We all have moments when we act like kids: we get mad over trivial stuff; we panic needlessly; we sulk when we’re criticized.” Having said that, the clinical psychologist warned that “if these behaviors are the rule, rather than the exception, then it’s possible there are some roadblocks on the way to adulthood.”

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troufaki13
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's mostly bills now... When I was younger I used to have penpals from around the world!

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“And, of course, no one turns 18 and suddenly finds themselves fully rational, responsible and ready to smash all their life goals. The knowledge and skills involved in adulthood are accrued across the lifespan, gradually allowing you to become a more effective actor in the world, able to pursue your own interests while balancing them against the interests of others,” Francis said and added that essentially, we are all works in progress: becoming an adult is a lifelong pursuit. Meanwhile, “Immaturity happens when people are not progressing, when they are stuck in behaviors that aren’t helpful for them at their stage of life.”

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There are many aspects of the transition into adulthood. Francis elaborated: “it means learning to act rationally, rather than just react emotionally. Adults also seek relationships of equality and reciprocity, rather than just someone to look after them. Adults are in touch with their values, and are proactive in reaching their goals. And adults are realistic, particularly about who they are. This requires gaining insight into one’s own motivations, behavior, emotional triggers, strengths and weaknesses.”

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Imma
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that was the reason why I had such a huge "age anxiety" when I would turned 25, cuz people that age were adults! And I didn't feel that I was, like at all!

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Tiny Dynamine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's drop the whole demeaning people because of their age. We are all born at different times and the older person that you are mocking, you'll be that age one day. Will you want younger people to mock you? I didn't think so.

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Tami
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YES, thank you! It's weird to be nearly 60, still feel like I'm 30, but have young people react to me like I'm old.

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Mazer
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was younger I learned to appreciate the wisdom of some of my elders, not many…just some. I loved that they had the courage to change the status quo and the system without victimizing anyone (unlike today). For the most part they realized people acted the way they did based on limited or just bad information, those wanting change did not need to demoralize their elders to embrace new things. Their parents were pissed off, disowning kids right and left, some parents came around, some never did, but the changes were made snd embraced none the less. So much changed between the 40-50’s and the 60-70’s which so many benefit from today. But kids now are stuck on OK BOOMER thinking they have their s**t together.

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Kipindichapili
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2 years ago (edited)

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That’s because all the old people you “respected” are dead now and the adults of your time are the old people now and they are called boomers and are stupid as shiit just like you. Ok boomer?

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Brian Bennett
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When one is 18 one does not have a stable mind about age - we forgive you!

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Raven DeathShade
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't know that. But then again I am someone who pretends to be a vampire because it's fun, so maybe that mentality leaked XD.

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Agnes Jekyll
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

or the teachers you thought were 102 and then you look at your grade two picture and you realize they were 23.

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GoddessOdd
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now that I'm a little old lady I feel very bad about the little old lady remarks I used to make.

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LynzCatastrophe
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Adults seemed more mature when I was younger. I don't feel any different at 34 than I did in my early 20s.

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Peter Ledoux
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

30? Well I guess I thought that way too. Now at over twice that age I'm feeling it.

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Ronnie Beaton
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And 51 year old me would like to say one thing to the 18 year old who called me old when I was 30. Ha. Ha. Ha.

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Widdle W
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am surprised how long I lived. I barely escaped my 20ies.

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Pia kjærgaard
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

& 40 & 50 & 60…. It’s how U live U’r Life & Handle Life … I know now😍

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rusty razzi
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

..don’t worry, they know, but they just don’t care..cos you’re be old too..😁

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Alicia Miller
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was 16, I worked at a grocery store and a 23 yo man told me he wished I was 18 so he could ask me out. Gross, I know. Nothing happened but the reason I'm telling this story is b/c I thought a 23 yo was SO old. Lol.

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SCamp
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ll wait for the 30 - 50 apology then the 40 - 60

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Mermaid Elle-Jaye
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a stripper (maybe 20-21) me and my BFF would notice older girls who were like 28-32 and be like omg they look so old etc then you hit 30 and everyone under 30 looks like a child and you don’t appear old at all 😂

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Limey
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Trust me this will continue. At 40, 50 and so on every flippin decade.

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Vetus Vespertilio
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nonsense! I literally have underwear older than you. (A white ankle length half-slip I bought in 1968 for my senior prom.)

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Monday
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those were the days....I could fall off the trampoline and land on my face but be totally fine but now I pull a shoulder muscle just from opening the shower door wrong.

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Francis also noted that “it’s important to emphasize that the idea of independence in adulthood does not mean you don’t rely on others.” He explained that we are social animals, and we need each other to survive and flourish. “The independence of adulthood is more like the independence of a nation, which interacts with other nations on an equal footing, makes independent decisions and is responsible for its internal affairs.”

For those who think that adulthood is a lot of work, Francis says that it’s worth it. “What you get in return is the power to flourish on your own terms. By acting as a child in an adult world, it’s much harder to build a life you can be proud of,” the clinical psychologist concluded.

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Auntriarch
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Take your pillow when you visit friends. They will not be insulted. They will understand

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David Woollands
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I kind of lie there with one eye open - very dangerous if you’ve already turned off your alarm

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Marcellus II
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're a musician, that's typically the best available career move, yes.

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KombatBunni
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love my mid afternoon naps. As a kid I found them boring, but as an adult I like to lay down for a half hour or so and snooze.

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postboredom
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You actually subscribed? I always thought it just drops on your head like a brick

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Ophelia Butz
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Without the drawer, they're in a pile. Without the pile, they're around the house. But they are NEVER in the trash because I need each one of the 18 chargers that work with nothing in my house. I just do.

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Space whale
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Using a good pen has always brought me joy. Maybe I'm weird but I love stationary.

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Arctic Fox Lover
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, I'm not an adult yet and I've read BP for long enough to realize that most adults in authority are kind of frauds haha. I have mastered the ability to guess what your childhood was like based on your behavior as an authoritative figure, ooooo *intense music as I open my third eye*

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Brian Bennett
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I truly am frightened on these multi lane hiways just stay to the right we gotta turn off somewhere!

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ZAPanda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you eventually take it as background noise when it reaches constant flow.

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