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50 Painfully Hilarious Memes That Sum Up The Struggles Of Being An Adult (New Pics)
Interview With Expert
Stepping foot into adulthood is what many children dream about. They fantasize about finally having the freedom to eat pizza five days a week, go to a friend’s house unannounced, or stay awake till midnight on a weekday. Sure, free will is a big perk of being an adult but nobody tells these kids just how many crushing responsibilities come with it… or they simply don’t listen. Nonetheless, they inevitably learn this later on, when they’re suddenly left to make their own appointments, wonder what they’ll feed themselves, and realize the bed starts calling them at 8 p.m. Then, it becomes clear that adulthood is not the rainbow and ponyland they imagined it to be.
Undeniably, many of us are stuck in this phase, thinking that adulthood is a total scam. To make these thoughts more bearable, we compiled a full list of adulting memes shared in the Adulting subreddit. To find them, all you have to do is scroll down.
While you're at it, don't forget to check out a conversation with Shari Botwin, LCSW, trauma expert and author of Thriving After Trauma and Stolen Childhoods: Thriving After Abuse, who kindly agreed to chat with us more about the struggles of adulthood.
This post may include affiliate links.
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#2
You Were Right
#3
Real Adults
Gémeaux jumeaux 8 months ago
Once red clothes no longer turned socks and underwear pink, it was all over for that separate loads racket.
Shari Botwin, LCSW, trauma expert and author of Thriving After Trauma and Stolen Childhoods: Thriving After Abuse, believes that many people find adulthood to be hard because it feels like an overload of responsibility.
"Between managing finances, relationships, fear of failure, and for some a lack of support, adults find themselves feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about their present and future," she said to Bored Panda.
#4
Just Some Solid Advice For Adulting
Crystalwitch60 8 months ago
Unless it’s a dog lol , I totally agree with this I’ve been a divorced line mum for 13 yrs I’m 60 n I’m staying on my own now it’s bliss !
#5
So Relatable
#6
Even Then It Burns Me Out
pfeils wife 8 months ago
If I open my front door and walk through it (regardless of how far) - that counts as going out. You can't convince me otherwise.
Even scientific research considers the ages between 18 and 29 to be amongst the most difficult years. Developmental psychologists call this phase emerging adulthood, as it’s full of mental and emotional challenges. Because of this, it was found that adults in these years have the highest rates of depression and anxiety.
#7
🤷♂️
#8
30 😭
#9
Everything Needs My Attention
Botwin suggests that societal pressure to have it all figured out could also be contributing to adults’ stress levels. “The fear of rejection and pressure to conform often leave adults feeling insecure and stressed out. Many of my clients have expressed feeling like no matter what they do, it is never good enough,” she shared.
#10
Being Alone Is Addicting
#12
My Mother-In-Law’s Wise Words About Being Upset With The Election Results
“Societal pressures lead to unrealistic expectations about finances, appearance, and relationships. For example, some adults have talked in therapy with me about feeling like they have let others down if they are not in a traditional family or making a certain amount of money. These unmet societal expectations often lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions,” she further explained.
#13
My Favorite
BookFanatic 8 months ago
I slept like that last night and now I can't bend my arm because my elbow hurts. Lol
#14
I Think I Was Rushed Into Being An Adult
DennyS (denzoren) 8 months ago
You can have the m&ms but only if you do the dishes first...but also, here's one as an incentive.
BookFanatic 8 months ago
That's how I got through grad school. I'd set a row of M&Ms next to my weekly reading assignments (mostly articles) and eat one every time I finished a column.
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CariBear 8 months ago
Unfortunately, the treats no longer work and/or are draining my bank account (not all treats are sweets - impulse purchases for dopamine LOL)
TruthoftheHeart 8 months ago
Just did this to myself,got a brownie mix that I couldn't bake until the kitchen was clean. At least now I have a clean kitchen and warm brownies
Rick Murray 8 months ago
My treat for when I've done something special (that I've not wanted to do) is a *small* bag of Maltesers. Small because I'm pathologically incapable of opening a bag and not finishing it. 🐖 Then my digestion finishes me. You'd think one of these days I'd learn and try something else as a treat wouldn't you? 🤦🏻♀️
#15
This Is Not How It Ought To Be
geezeronthehill 8 months ago
The hard-won 8 hour day was based on the premise that all the workers would live within walking distance of the factory. Hour commute? That's on you as a wage slave.
Over time, it gets harder and harder for those who want to conform to societal expectations to do so, as it gets increasingly more difficult for young adults to find a decent job, a partner, and buy a home. These growing challenges, combined with still-developing brains in the early 20s, often create suitable circumstances for mental health issues to present themselves in the phase of emerging adulthood.
#16
Take The Time And Try To Find Yourself
Child of the Stars 8 months ago
Not just that, but all of those things will help fight burn out.
#17
Don't Be The Definition Of Insanity
Botwin believes that what can help people to better transition into adulthood is setting realistic education, career, and relationship goals for them. “This allows adults to move through the transition with less anxiety and stress. Prioritizing mental health and continuing to develop a network of adults who can guide and offer support also supports adults as they transition into a new phase of life.”
#19
This Is Literally What's Happening To Me Everyday
#20
Eye Opening
Lyone Fein 8 months ago
Or…….actually………that you are the only one who made it through all that trauma with a modicum of functionality and situational awareness.
But even though the adulting struggle is real, it can be manageable. Botwin suggests that grown-ups practice self-compassion and implement a variety of self-care techniques, which help to manage daily life challenges. “Focusing on the positive aspects of life and making time for fun and lightheartedness makes the shift into adulthood more tolerable and less stressful. Avoiding perfectionism and making space to have a tribe of supporters lessens the burden of adulting.”
#22
Real
#23
This!!! We Need To Learn This
“Being grown up does not mean that we have to be perfect or that we cannot ask for help,” she added. “Being an adult does not mean that we will not make mistakes and that we should never have fun. Adulting can be amazing when we give ourselves permission to be the person that we want to be, and that society does not get to decide what we should or should not be doing regarding our finances, relationships, and needs outside of our daily responsibilities.”
#25
We Just Gotta Keep Pushing Through
The Doom Song 8 months ago
It's harder in retail coz no matter how f****d your situation is you still gotta be nice to everyone.
#26
Too Many Negative Stories Here, I Love My Adult Life
#27
Mental Health Is Worth More Than Any Paycheck
#28
Is It Really Bad That I Don't Have Any "Real" Hobbies? When I Get Off Work, I Just Want To Shut My Mind Off And Do Absolutely Nothing
#29
Ok 😶🌫️
Heather Ball 8 months ago
This was originally posted early on in the pandemic. 5 years later - still rather apropos.
#30
Every Single Time
#32
A $1 Saved Is A $1 Saved
#33
Is This Really A Hack Though? 🧐
#34
Whyyy?
Wysteria_Rose 8 months ago
I hate that I wasted money on this meal. I could have made this at home!
#35
Its Never In Between!
#36
I Thought I Was The Only One?!?
#37
Childhood Punishments Are Adult Goals
#38
That's Exactly How I Feel
BookFanatic 8 months ago
And the utter relief when you realize you still have a couple of hours.
#39
Officially An Adult🥲
#40
I Can Relate
#41
Another Weekend Gone
LooseSeal's $10 Banana 8 months ago
I've started doing one load of laundry when I get home on Friday evening. It has made a tremendous difference.
#43
What’s The F*****g Point When We Don’t Make Living Wages ?
#44
How True Is This😂😂
Lyone Fein 8 months ago
Or…wait for it….go to the public library where it is available to borrow on DVD……..for FREE!
#46
Just Want To Be In Bed
#47
Quite Literally
Hoi-Polloi 8 months ago
Be glad your player is benevolent! There's some people out there as put their poor little sims through the wringer.
#48
How True Is This?
Michael Largey 8 months ago
Can you think of anyone who needs d***s on the weekend more than they do? (And anyone who can afford it any less?)
#49
The Next Generation
#50
True Or No?
Lost Panda 8 months ago
Or, as in my case, parents have no money, have no set future back home... become Uncle Sam's property! That way at the age of 35, your knees, back, and mental health are shot to all get out XD
#51
And Those 48 Hours Feels Like 30 Minutes
The_Nicest_Misanthrope 8 months ago
48 hours? As if! You're spending that time cleaning, shopping, and doing everything you didn't have time for in the week
#52
Happens At Least Once Day
#53
My Princess Lifestyle 🥹✨✨
Hoi-Polloi 8 months ago
Hey, at least Aurora got to take a massive nap. DURING the work-day, no less.
#56
*Sheds A Miss America Tear*
#58
Real
SheHulk 8 months ago
Wait till you are in your fifties trying to manage teenagers and your parents at the same time all while holding down a full-time job where you're stuck in a service job and your husband is also acting like you are being unreasonable for asking him to do some f*****g shopping!
#59
This Made Me Laugh. And Then Cry. Because It Hit Too Close To Home
#60
Story Of My Life LOL
#62
When Your Saturday Goes By Too Fast
#63
So True
Child of the Stars 8 months ago
I suppose it depends. My 6yo was absurdly excited to get Minecraft underwear this year!
#65
It Really Do Be Like That 🪥📑
#67
At This Point I Strongly Believe I’m The Only Normal Human Being My Company Managed To Hire 😭
#68
🤦♂️🤦♀️
#69
So Relatable
#70
The Sad Truth Smh LOL
Brian Droste 8 months ago
When you are out of a job for a period of time and finally you get a job you are 😃. Then after a period of time that you are in this job, you go to this ☹️.
#72
Cakes And Candles Bro 💯
detective miller's hat 8 months ago
Instead of a long paragraph, I send a giant string of the most useless and ridiculous emojis I can find. Apparently my friends and family all look forward to it now. xD
#73
For First 15 Years My Mom Thought I Was Joking
Beak Hookage 8 months ago
I like kids and get along with them really well and I still don't want any of my own.
#74
This Sub In A Nutshell
#75
Being In Your 20s
#77
Which 3 Are You Picking?
#78
Everyone Is Getting Engaged, Promoted, Or Going To Grad School. And I’m Looking Up How To Be A Bottle Girl In A Club So I Can Afford Rent
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Serena Myers 8 months ago
Downvote goblin out and about today, so I upvoted everyone who had a downvote for no apparent reason!!
PunchinelloTX 8 months ago
Is adulthood really that much of a struggle? Isn’t all existence from womb to tomb a struggle on some level unique to every individual who managed to stay alive?
Little Bit 8 months ago
Being an adult is doing nothing but work and sleep, but I'm broke and exhausted all the time.
Buz Droopy 8 months ago
Too much B1tching and moaning on this post. If you don't like where you are at, figure out what you want to do, research the path, and do it. And yes, it is possible to word 12 hours a day at a minimum wage job and go to trade school at night. It just takes a little gumption and sacrifice.
Nils Skirnir 8 months ago
Kinda tired about all this whining about being an adult. It’s life. It’s not easy
Serena Myers 8 months ago
Downvote goblin out and about today, so I upvoted everyone who had a downvote for no apparent reason!!
PunchinelloTX 8 months ago
Is adulthood really that much of a struggle? Isn’t all existence from womb to tomb a struggle on some level unique to every individual who managed to stay alive?
Little Bit 8 months ago
Being an adult is doing nothing but work and sleep, but I'm broke and exhausted all the time.
Buz Droopy 8 months ago
Too much B1tching and moaning on this post. If you don't like where you are at, figure out what you want to do, research the path, and do it. And yes, it is possible to word 12 hours a day at a minimum wage job and go to trade school at night. It just takes a little gumption and sacrifice.
Nils Skirnir 8 months ago
Kinda tired about all this whining about being an adult. It’s life. It’s not easy
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