15 Uncomfortable Signs You’re Actually Becoming An Adult Without Even Realizing It

Sarah Swinton

1. You have lost friends.

You’ve lost friends that you thought would be with you until the end of time. You’ve let go of friends of best friends that you never ever thought would end. It’s scary and sad and sometimes heartbreaking, but it is necessary for growth.

2. You have found peace in being by yourself.

While many people your age are going out, spending lots of money on drinks and socializing, you have found a sense of peace in being by yourself. You aren’t ashamed of being alone anymore. In fact, you truly crave it.

3. You would rather sleep than go out on a Friday night.

You value sleep like it’s your best friend. You don’t apologize for leaving the party early anymore. You don’t apologize for being less social. You don’t apologize for seeming like you’re a lazy person. You do what you need to do.

4. Too much socializing exhausts you.

You feel like you need a recharge button at all times. Too much small talk and socializing makes you want to die a little in time. You don’t care about having a huge social life anymore, and you honestly don’t give a damn if your ‘image’ gets tarnished.

5. You’ve given up on old dreams.

Unfortunately, you have given up on some dreams you used to have for yourself. You’ve become more realistic with your life path, and have had to pack up old dreams and desires that your six-year old self had.

6. You have stopped trying to please everyone.

You have stopped trying to make everyone love you and adore you. You don’t put on a show for people who don’t care. You’re more selfish with yourself and your life, and you don’t let anyone stand in your way anymore. If someone doesn’t like you for some reason, you shrug it off and keep on living your life.

7. You actually go to therapy now.

You care about your own health and in particular, your mental health. You don’t hide this from your friends or co-workers and you aren’t ashamed that you are taking a stand with your own wellness. You have become more proud of something that seemed taboo to you in the past.

8. You’ve cut yourself out of all your toxic relationships.

You’ve stopped talking to people who only brought negativity to your life. Whether it’s an ex, or someone who used to be your best friend, you have had to make the choice to cut them entirely out of your life. It’s hard to do, but it ultimately made your life better and brighter.

9. You’ve realized that heartbreak isn’t going to be the end of the world.

You’ve stopped being so scared of being heartbroken and burned. While it’s always going to be incredibly painful, you’ve realized that it isn’t going to kill you. It’s going to make you stronger in the end, and that’s powerful and important.

10. Instead of hiding from your feelings, you allow yourself to feel.

Whether it’s anger or grief or embarrassment, you don’t bottle up your emotions anymore. You don’t hide from them in fear that people will judge you, or people will think you are weak. You now see feelings as a sign of courage and bravery.

11. You’ve learned to forgive yourself.

You have learned to forgive yourself for messing up and for past mistakes that will haunt you until the day you die. You have learned to gently tell yourself that it’s ok. And however painful or terrible the circumstance, you’ve learned to be your own cheerleader and hero.

12. When you fuck up, you don’t run from your mistakes.

You admit when you mess up. You don’t run away from confrontation anymore, in fear of getting in trouble or being hurt. You admit when you did something wrong in your personal life and in your career, and you don’t hide it from anyone.

13. You’ve learned how to say sorry when necessary.

You have stopped defending yourself constantly. You have stopped making so many excuses and instead, have learned to fess up and apologize when it’s necessary to do. In your friendships, relationships and in your life in general, you have learned to be more humble and to do the right thing no matter how hard it may be.

14. You have been through hell.

You’ve been through a lot. You’ve been through heartache, and loss, and pain. But instead of letting it break you and turn you bitter, you let those experiences shape you. You’ve learned to take what life sends your way, and accept whatever it is, no matter how difficult it may be to go through. You’ve learned to take these bad experiences and learn from them.

15. You’ve become more aware that time is fleeting.

You’ve become more aware of life in general. You’ve learned that tomorrow is never guaranteed, so you’ve learned to manage you time better. You’ve made more time for your loved ones and you’ve learned not to take anything for granted. Thought Catalog Logo Mark

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