What Adulthood Has Taught Me

If we are asked what adulthood has taught us, I know many of us would have a lot to say about it. Adulthood comes with a lot of responsibilities and expectations, and it is not something anyone should rush into. It is a serious phase of life.

If I am asked what adulthood is, I would say that anything can happen to you at any time, and you cannot always predict what life will bring. Another thing I have realised is that, as an adult, I am not above anything, homelessness, loss of a job, or even death, which is the greatest certainty of all.

Adulthood has taught me that even if you are a good person, it does not mean that bad things will not happen to you. Likewise, being a bad person does not necessarily mean that good things will not happen to you. Adulthood is full of uncertainty. You may try your best and work hard, only to receive very little compared to the effort you invested. Sometimes, there is no clear correlation between input and output, and you may suddenly realize that some people are already far ahead of you.

People often say that what we become is a result of what we have done in the past. While this may be true to some extent, some people seem to get lucky and are not greatly affected by the difficulties they have gone through.

You see some people becoming wealthy in the early stages of their lives, only to be faced with challenges that put them in jeopardy and render everything they have built almost useless. It is just the reality of life. Some lose jobs in which they were already well established and never imagined such a thing could happen to them, yet it does. For others, the loss of loved ones affects the fortune they have accumulated and leaves them struggling emotionally and financially.

Adulthood has also made me realize that, in the twinkling of an eye, someone can lose everything. An unexpected calamity may befall a person without any warning or premonition. When I listen to stories of people going from grace to grass, I often wonder how most of them never saw it coming. For some, it was sickness that brought them down. For others, it was the loss of a job, family abandonment, or personal tragedy that caused them pain that was difficult to overcome. Sadly, many never fully recover.

On the other hand, I have heard stories of people moving from grass to grace. Most of these are stories of resilience, perseverance, and eventual triumph that lead to unexpected success and glory. Some people may experience sorrow only once or twice in their lives, while others seem to face one challenge after another.

Adulthood has also taught me never to look down on people, especially those who are gradually finding their way in life. You never can tell where they may end up. Life can be funny sometimes.

Life is unpredictable, and the tables can turn at any moment. Therefore, stay humble and do not take life too seriously.

I have seen people whom you were planning for and worrying about suddenly move far ahead of you. You care about them, but they have their own lives to live and may not care as much about what you think. Do what you can for others, but never trust people one hundred percent. Have reasonable expectations of people so that when they disappoint you, the pain will not be too overwhelming.