Member-only story
Why ‘Adulting’ is the Most Ironic Phrase of Our Generation
We’re drawing lines all over the place and limiting ourselves over and over again
The phrase ‘adulting’ is a little amusing.
Broadly, it’s a concept that we can all relate to. It can produce a little wry smile because it goes some way to summing up how we feel when we file our taxes with months still to go before the deadline.
We can feel pleasantly relieved when we do something simple, usually proactively. Like buying bin liners before the old roll has run out. Or like setting up a direct debit to pay rent instead of remembering at 11pm before the due date.
It’s cute and while I’m not a big fan of the word, I’m on board for the general amusement of turning nouns into verbs.
But I’m worried that it’s gone too far. That this ‘adulting’ joke is no longer a joke, that it’s dug its claws into our psyches and is busy building up walls. Walls that lock us in to a mind frame and stop us from actually busting out and living our lives.
Because that’s what happens when you start putting imaginary boundaries up, they limit you.
