When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?

This one’s hard for me to decide on. There are several different things that have happened that required me to make an important decision alone that would affect my future.

One that comes to mind was signing paperwork for college, as that dramatically shaped my future, but I was supported by family and friends in different ways when it came to the decision-making process. However, there is something that left a stronger impression on me as a “grown up” decision/event.

It was when I moved into my first apartment.

Up until I was about 25 or 26, I had lived with family or friends. It was easy, convenient, and we all benefited. The thing was, I didn’t have to worry about being in control of utilities, mortgage payments, or anything of the sort. I just paid in cash, bought groceries, or helped with things around the house (or the farm, when I was still living with my parents.)

So, when I first moved out on my own, that’s when things felt drastically different and more grown up. I was living by myself, no roommates, and I was solely responsible for making sure rent was paid on time and that my other bills/accounts were managed appropriately.

I had to be strong enough on my own to do these things on my own, that’s what I felt at the time, and that to me was what it really felt like being a grown up.