I’m in a weird stage of life. I’m in the latter half of my twenties, which feels strange to say because most days, I still feel like I’m 16. I’m closer to 30 than 20. Honestly, so far, I have really enjoyed my twenties. I still have a good three-and-a-half years left to enjoy them, and it hasn’t been all rainbows and butterflies, but I have grown so much in these past six-and-a-half years. Like most people, my twenties have been a period of self-discovery, of trying to figure out who I am and what I want from life. But still, it’s weird to realize where I am now and that I am no longer a kid, even though I feel like I still am most of the time.

This post, inspired by one Gina wrote, has been on my mind to do and I thought I would finally get it out of my head and onto my blog today. This is me at 26, and all the ways I feel like an adult and all the ways I still feel like a kid. (This will be fun to look back on when I’m turning 30, I think!)

Ways I Feel Like an Adult

• My career. I have really struggled with defining myself by my job for the majority of my twenties. I think it’s something a lot of us do, especially once we graduate college and we have to find a perfect job that looks impressive when we’re talking to other people. I didn’t have a great first job after college and I dealt with a lot of job-related anxiety because of that, but it has helped me to grow up, learn about office politics, and be accountable. And now, after losing my way a bit in my mid-twenties, I finally feel like I’m on the right track for what I want to do for the rest of my life and there’s nothing more empowering or adult-like than that!
• Dealing with my debt. I spent way too many years pretending my debt didn’t exist or that putting my school loans in forbearance is what I “had to do.” This is a very immature way of looking at finances, money, and debt. I’m glad I’m finally taking action and understanding that it’s very important to take care of your debt because that’s what responsible grown-ups do. Plus, debt is something I don’t want following me throughout my thirties, either.
• Paying bills. Can I just say how much joy I receive by paying my bills? Because I do. I just kinda enjoy the feeling of paying a bill, even if it’s not always fun to see my bank account dwindle in the process.
• Grocery shopping and cooking for myself. Up until the beginning of this year, my mom and I were grocery shopping together and eating our dinners together. We still grocery shop together most weeks because it’s convenient, but at the beginning of this year, we started separating and making our own meals. (Partly because she went Paleo and I didn’t want to go Paleo.) It’s been fun to do this because it gives me more control over my meals and what I want to eat, and I always found cooking to be a very Adult thing (just me?). I enjoy finding new recipes, meal planning, and grocery shopping just for me.
• Being accepting of myself. I’m shy. I’m quiet upon meeting new people. I’m a highly sensitive person. Too many conversations or loud music is overstimulating for me. I’m an introvert to my core. I like to stay in most nights. Trying new things is scary for me, but I always feel better by doing so. I would prefer to spend time with animals than people. Bars are not my scene and never have been. I can’t do small talk. I’m extremely funny once you get to know me. All these things? They have taken a long, long time for me to accept that this is me. This is what I like. This is who I am and how I was created. It’s taken me a long time to realize this doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with me or I need to come out of my shell or I’m boring. I’m just me and I really like me and I’m excited to grow even more into who I am throughout the rest of my life.

Ways I Still Feel Like a Kid

• Living with my mom. It’s hard to feel like an adult when you live with your mom. While it’s honestly the best situation for me to be in, and living with her is pretty awesome, there’s also a defeatist feeling to acknowledge that I still live with my mom. I don’t think I will really feel like a bona fide Adult until I move out on my own.
• Not being married, or having ever been in a serious relationship. Nothing makes me feel like I’m behind the curve more than realizing I’m 26 and I’m not married, nor have I ever been in a serious relationship. It makes me feel like something is wrong with me! And maybe there is. Who knows! Or maybe it just hasn’t been my time yet. (We’ll go with that answer, ‘kay?)
• Looking perpetually like a teenager. I don’t really mind that I look very young for my age, but it really doesn’t help feeling like an adult when I realize people think I’m still in high school. It doesn’t happen as much anymore, but on the last cruise I took with my mom, my dinner tablemates seriously thought I was under 18. Sigh.
• Not liking most “adult-type” food, like wine, sushi, etc. Yeah, I’m just not into that stuff. There are so many different “adult” foods that I just don’t like and it makes me feel like I’m missing some essential Adult gene. Shouldn’t I want to sit down with a glass of wine after a long day? Or have a sushi date with girlfriends? And don’t even get me started on fancy fine-dining restaurants. Gimme a casual steakhouse any day.
• Not feeling as established as other people my age. Sometimes, it’s really weird to learn that people who seem to be so much more together than me are either younger than me, my age, or only a year or two older. I can give you a ton of examples, and I think that’s partly due to being involved in the blog world. You see all these people and they have these fantastic careers and great relationships and big opportunities and it’s so easy to feel like you’ve fallen behind on this ridiculous timeline. But my timeline is my timeline alone. It’s not supposed to match anyone else’s. (Rinse and repeat!)

What are some ways you feel like an adult, or still feel like a kid?

I saw this post on Cassie’s blog a few weeks ago and I loved the idea behind it, so, of course, I went over to Christy’s blog, where this link-up originated.

I was so drawn to this concept. I mean, is anyone with me? Does anyone else have such a hard time talking about the things they are good at and their strengths because it feels boastful and braggy? Or maybe we’re so conditioned to talk down about ourselves, deny compliments, and belittle our achievements, that it feels awkward and difficult. It’s not boastful, it’s not a #humblebrag, it’s nothing but recognizing who you are, what you like and are good at, and owning it. There’s no point in hiding it! All it does is hide your gifts and talents from the world.

I think the world could use a lot more love. (Duh.) And when we love ourselves, when we acknowledge how awesome and unique and special we are, that’s the only way we can give love out to others.

So, let’s love. Today, I’m throwing off my armor to discuss 10 things I like about myself. Some silly, some serious, but all things that make me uniquely me.

1. I have a great sense of humor. My sense of humor is a huge part of who I am and I can easily say I am a funny girl. I make people laugh, I’m witty, and I try to find humor in just about everything I do. Also, sarcasm is my love language.

2. I am an exceptional daughter. Oh, yes, I am. My father is completely missing out on my awesomeness but I get to lavish it all on my mom. I’m kind and considerate, I listen to her, I get excited about her milestones and achievements, and I try to offer advice when needed. She’s an exceptional mom, so I’m just trying to live up to her standards, honestly.

3. I love animals. Sometimes (most times), I think I love animals more the people. Animals just make me feel good. I get so excited every night when I leave work because I know I’ll get to see and cuddle with my pup.

4. I’m a good writer. Writing is the best way I know to express myself. It’s where I feel the most authentically me. But it’s taken me a long journey to get to this point where I can say I am a good writer. Writing is what I was born to do.

5. I am a good listener. I actually really, really love listening to other people’s problems. Not whining. I don’t like listening to whining, but when someone comes to me and tells me about something they’re struggling with or has an issue about? I feel so honored. I love to listen and I like to think I’m good at understanding where they are coming from and offering comfort, not advice. (Most times, people just want comfort.)

6. I try my best and know how to give myself credit for a job well done. I may not be the best at everything I try to do, and I may fail a lot, but I still get back up and keep trying. And when I do get back up? I applaud myself for having the bravery and gumption to keep going, even if I know I may get knocked down again. And that? That is the best we can ask of ourselves.

7. I’m an early-to-bed, early-to-rise kinda girl. I’m the girl who, at 26 years old, feels weird when she’s out after midnight. In fact, in my entire life, the latest I have ever been out is two a.m. and that’s happened a handful of times. I’m the girl who would rather wake up early than go to bed late. And I no longer feel the need to defend this part of me. In fact, I really like my early-to-bed, early-to-rise nature! I like my 9pm bedtime and the fact that getting a solid eight hours of sleep every night is incredibly important to me.

8. I love organization. Organization is my happy place. In my home, everything has its place and I spend way too much time thinking about how I could better organize my kitchen, my closets, my bathroom cabinet. Organization makes me feel calm, peaceful, and centered. (I would seriously love to come to anyone’s home and organize it for them. I’ll even do your garage! New side hustle, perhaps?)

9. I am willing to wait for radical, life-changing love. Most importantly, I know I am worth that kind of love. This is why I’m not the girl who dates around and doesn’t have time for guys who are going to continuously push me away, play hard to get, or “forget” about dates. One day, I am going to make some lucky guy an incredible girlfriend, fiancee, and wife.

10. I’m sensitive. I used to think my sensitivity was a weakness, something to hide. But it’s not. My sensitivity means that I care about what people think of me and I strive to be a better person. It means I take on other people’s problems as if they are my own and their pain is my pain. It means I can sympathize, even when I’ve never been in their shoes. It means life feels brighter, music moves me deeper, and fragrances are richer. It means I am in tune with my emotions and more cautious about what I say because I understand how much words can hurt or heal.

Your turn: what do you like about yourself?