How to Be an Adult

Much of what we learn on how to be an adult is derived from our parents and/or significant mentors. Yet, our personality affects how the information is utilized. Additionally, some role models simply set poor examples. Maybe you have been told to grow up by others or consider yourself an adult but lack certain life skills. Read on for primary traits of adulthood and tips to be a productive adult.

Things You'll Need

• Self assessment
• Education as needed

Instructions

1. Be honest with yourself, your capabilities and limitations. Self honesty enables you to learn how to be an adult by allowing you to accept areas in your life that require change and to better cope with situations that are out of your control.

2. Control your emotions. Laughing, crying, sadness and even anger are healthy emotions as long as they do not harm anyone or detract from productivity and relationships. Deal with troublesome emotions, such as anger outbursts, like an adult by soliciting professional guidance or using focus techniques including exercise and meditation.

3. Take responsibility for your actions in your efforts to be a responsible adult. Know that apologies and errors are not an inherent sign of weakness. Learning from ones mistakes and not blaming others is a hallmark sign of maturity.

4. Be an adult by considering the welfare of others and addressing self-centered behaviors. Healthy adults maintain a degree of self-interest but realize that their needs should not always be placed ahead of others. Sometimes “only children” and “the baby” of the family may experience more difficulty learning this concept. Volunteerism is one way to better learn the concept of sharing and empathy.

5. Take good care of yourself. Be an adult by recognizing what is best for your physical and mental well-being. Basic self care such as a good diet and exercise shows self respect and responsibility as does selecting stable relationships. Adults do not always do what is best for them but healthy choices impact the quality of adulthood life.

6. Plan ahead and set goals. Financial success doesn't equal adulthood but wise money management and living within ones means demonstrates maturity. Learn the difference between working hard and working smart, and set educational and financial goals that will accommodate your desired lifestyle.

7. Be yourself but be open to change. Some people do not care what others think, while others take a more conformist approach. Many adults fall somewhere in between whereas either extreme may instead be a way to compensate for both insecurity and immaturity. To be an adult, learn to be comfortable in your own skin, make your own choices, depend on yourself and do not fear self-improvement. Adulthood is a lifelong growth process.

Tips & Warnings

• Seek education or training in areas where help is needed, from debt management to cooking.

• Know that actions may come before feelings. Adults can be insecure, for instance, but gain confidence and knowledge through good choices and practice.

• To be an adult does not mean giving up a fun-loving personality, but to recognize and address ones obligations and responsibilities to oneself and others.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish