At 22, I thought I would have it all figured out. My teenage self had this grand idea of adulthood—stable job, my own place, minimal stress, and maybe even a cat. I envisioned it like a Pinterest board—perfectly curated and carefree.
Fast forward to now, and I’ve realized adulthood is less “Instagram influencer vibes” and more “What do you mean my Wi-Fi bill is due AGAIN?”
If you're reading this as a fellow twenty-something, you're probably realizing that adulting isn’t as glamorous as it seemed. But here's the catch: it's not as disastrous as we often make it out to be. It’s a mix of learning from mistakes, figuring things out as you go, and laughing off those moments when you realize you don’t know what you’re doing.
// The Pressure to “Have It All Together”
At 22, society expects you to be on top of your game—career-wise, socially, financially. My social media feed is filled with people achieving their dreams, buying houses, starting businesses, or going on luxury vacations. Meanwhile, I’m over here wondering if I’ll ever get the courage to book a dentist appointment.
The pressure to “have it all together” is real. It feels like everyone else is out there, living their best, polished lives while I’m still figuring out how to fold a fitted sheet. But here’s the truth—there is no universal timeline for success. Just because your friend is buying a car at 22 doesn’t mean you should be too. Adulthood doesn’t come with a rulebook.
So, what have I learned? Success isn’t a race—it’s about defining what you want and going after it in your own time. I’m learning that it’s okay to take things at my own pace, even if that pace sometimes feels like crawling.
//Mental Health: The Conversation We Need to Have More
Here’s the thing no one tells you about being in your twenties: it’s a constant tug-of-war between adulthood and still trying to hold on to some semblance of your teenage self. And that pressure can take a toll. The first time I had a breakdown over something trivial (like, I don’t know, choosing an outfit for an event), I didn’t know what to do. Why was I crying over something so small? But after some reflection and a long conversation with a close friend, I realized it wasn’t about the outfit. It was about feeling overwhelmed by the growing pile of responsibilities and the constant pressure to “be something” by a certain age.
I’m slowly coming to terms with the fact that it’s okay to not have all the answers. Mental health is important, and sometimes that means saying, “I need a break.” Whether it’s taking a nap, canceling plans, or just talking it out, adulting requires acknowledging that it’s okay to not be okay sometimes.
// The Financial Rollercoaster: Don’t Buy That Latte Every Day
If there’s one thing adulthood doesn’t prepare you for, it’s money. No one warns you that managing your finances is basically the adult version of playing a never-ending game of “How much can I afford without going broke?” I remember my first pay check: I bought a bunch of nice things and then looked at my bank account like it had betrayed me. I couldn’t even remember what I spent it on. How did that happen?
Being 22 means balancing rent, bills, groceries, and—let’s be honest—way too many delivery apps. I had to learn that those cute lattes, while delicious, aren’t helping my savings account. Financial responsibility isn’t about deprivation; it’s about prioritizing what truly matters. That said, I’ll still buy an overpriced avocado toast every now and then (for the sake of my soul).
Relationships will also feel like a full-time job. They’re not always romantic relationships. The friendships, family dynamics, and even casual acquaintances are a lot more complex than I ever anticipated. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed that relationships take work. And not just “let’s grab coffee” kind of work, but the real, emotional investment kind of work. You start to realize that adulthood means balancing old friendships with new ones, understanding that people change, and accepting that not all relationships are meant to last. Sometimes you grow apart, and that’s okay. People evolve, and that’s normal.
So…Adulting isn’t glamorous. It’s not always about achieving goals on a perfect timeline or being super put-together. Most of the time, it’s about making mistakes, learning from them, and laughing through the chaos. At 22, I’m still figuring things out, and I probably always will be. But I’m learning that it’s okay to not have it all figured out and that it’s perfectly fine to stumble, laugh, and keep moving forward.
// Maya Husain
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