If you’re like most young adults, it’s likely that you spent the latter part of your teenage years anxious for more independence and to become an adult. However, it’s when you’re finally out of your parents’ house or off to college that you begin to understand what your parents warned you about. The reality is that while adulthood comes with perks, it can be a challenging life stage. From figuring out how to pay bills, taking on new responsibilities, and making those first moves into the adult world, it’s not uncommon to wish you could instead move backward. If you’ve recently entered adulthood or are getting close to leaving Mom and Dad’s house, read on for some things to consider with this brief guide to adulting and making it just a bit easier.
Moving From Home: Your First Place
Moving into your own place with or without roommates for the first time can be exciting. From being able to live and decorate how you like to being able to make your own decisions when it comes to meals and who visits, most young adults enjoy the freedom that comes with living on their own.
However, when moving out for the first time, it’s important to pay attention to a basic plan for how you’ll move, how you’ll pay for your apartment or accommodations, and other ‘must do’ items to ensure your move goes slowly. If you’re like most young adults, the last thing you’ll want to do is to have to move back home shortly after leaving due to poor planning.
Maybe you’re planning a move to California from Maryland. Start with a Google search for Movers in Maryland to get rates. You’ll want to compare costs and think about what you’ll need to bring long before moving day. Where you might think you need all your furniture from home now, doing this research ahead of time could help with decisions on what to leave behind to save money. At the same time, you might also be happily surprised by how easy a moving company can make your transition logistically.
Making Appointments on Your Own
Once you get settled into your new place, it’s a good idea to establish a relationship with professionals like doctors, therapists, and a local dentist. Even if you already have the perfect dentist in Mesa or New York City, you’ll need to make sure you make and keep your regular appointments on your own. No longer will you have parents or other adults around to remind you to keep appointments. Investing in a datebook and making checking it a habit will help you to keep dates straight and maintain your health.
Your First Real Job and Bills
Even if you worked part-time in high school or college, it’s a whole different thing when you’re relying on a full-time job to pay all your bills. As much as it might seem obvious that you’ll need to work, the truth is that the world is in a global mental health crisis due to the pandemic. As you make decisions around your first job, the types of jobs you’re willing to do, and how you’ll support yourself, be sure to take an honest look at your state of mind and reach out for help if you’re worried you won’t be able to maintain employment.
As an adult, you’ll quickly learn the benefits of self-care and will want to make them a priority as you move forward. Be sure you have time to do the things you enjoy while navigating this life stage. In the end, whether you’re moving across the country or just down the road, the first few years of adulting can be a challenge. Young adulthood is a time to not only find yourself but to make mistakes, too. It’s okay to reinvent yourself and change plans as you go.
