I think that hairdressers are very wise. But this is not just a thought I have; I have some experience here. My mother is a hairdresser and while I suppose the fact that she is my mother should also make her wise, this kind of wisdom I’m talking about comes from listening. Hairdressers listen to a lot of clients. I have a new hairdresser now that I live a few states away from my mom, but she is wise too. Her name is Katelyn and she is in her twenties.

 

The last time (which was also the first time) I saw Katelyn we had a long discussion about what she likes to call “adulting.” If I had to define “adulting” it would probably be something like this:

adulting [uh–duhlt-ing, ad-uhlt-ing]

Verb:

  1. To carry out one’s lifestyle in the manner of a grownup (syn.)
  2. Committing grownup (syn.) acts regardless of desire to do so; ex. paying bills, decorating one’s living quarters, preparing and consuming healthy meals, participating in regular exercise, etc.

Noun:

  1. The practice of implementing childhood life lessons willingly for one’s health and well being; ex. brushing one’s teeth every night, hydrating one’s self daily, practicing a bedtime routine, etc.

 

I know many an adult fully incapable of adulting to any degree. I myself am still learning, and Katelyn would probably say that we are ALL still learning. Many of my New Year’s resolutions involve being a better grown up. Here are some of my (and Katelyn’s) favorite ways to practice adulting:

 

 

  • Adults do not bite their nails. We all have our bad habits and dirty secrets. Mine is, embarrassingly, that I bite my nails. Adults do not bite their nails, or at least they shouldn’t. If you need some help in this department, check out a couple of these nail salons in Detroit to help you stay well manicured, 24/7.
  • Adults budget their funds and their lives. A fellow fellow of mine, Kyla Carlsen, and I recently decided that merely having a 401k does not an adult make. Not all adults make a large paycheck, but they should know how to manage it. Savings, investments, paying bills on time, all of these things are important in the practice of adulting. If you’re looking for a financial planner or guidance, check out the services offered by Challenge Detroit Host Company, Center for Financial Planning. 

 

  • Adults buy groceries. And they don’t let them go bad. Purchasing groceries does not an adult make either. There was a period of my life, especially in college, when I would visit the grocery store every week, buy an insane amount of food, and then in the midst of being busy, all of the groceries would go bad! A busy lifestyle means having to eat on the go sometimes. Adults think farther than the grocery cart when planning meals. Planning for eating out ahead of time leads to a lot less food waste and will bring down your grocery bill too! Check out these awesome meal planning apps for some logisitcal help HERE.

These are just a few ways to adult. AND they can be fun too! What are YOUR favorite ways to practice adulting? “Practice” being the key word here because let’s be honest, we’re all children underneath it all.

 

Happy Adulting!

-Kayleigh