I Still Don’t Feel Like an Adult

I am about to turn 36 years old.

I have been married for over five years.

I have a daughter that will be turning four this summer.

I believe it’s important to have a family dinner (almost) every night.

I have a master’s degree.

I have a career that is now more than a decade old.

I often think about retirement.

I live on a budget.

I clean the kitchen and pack lunches.

I occasionally cook.

I have a mortgage.

I worry about property taxes and interest rates.

I (try to) fix things.

I have random aches and my joints sometimes pop.

I go grocery shopping and curse myself if I forget the coupons or reusable bags.

I am stunned that aspects of my hometown have dared to change in the past 15 years.

I have banal conversations about traffic and weather.

I live within a few miles of close friends and still don’t see them often.

I still think of the ’90s as only a few years ago.

I hate most music released in the past five to ten years.

I go to bed on weekends at the same time that I used to leave the house to go out.

I feel relieved when plans get canceled.

I complain that it feels like every weekend is a kid’s party or other obligation.

I cherish my alone time.

I do all of the things that adults do.

So when will I feel like an adult?

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Christopher Pierznik is the author of eight books, all of which can be purchased in paperback and Kindle. His work has appeared on XXL, Cuepoint, Business Insider, The Cauldron, and many more. Subscribe to his monthly reading review newsletter or follow him on Facebook or Twitter.