Being in your 20s means that you're on the cusp of becoming an adult. Yes, technically we have all been adults since turning 18, but for many of us, we didn't really realize that we were actually becoming adults until like... now.
I'm on the verge of graduating from college, and when I was eighteen, I didn't really take life too seriously. As far as I was concerned, I was still a kid in most people's eyes.
Now, I'm getting a preview of what life will be like when I'm on my own and it's scary, exhilarating, and a lot of times, I wish it would stop.
Becoming a full-fledged grown-up can be terrifying at times, and you might even feel like the grandma or grandpa of your group. Ahhhh, let's just not grow up. Ever. One can only wish, right?
Here are the 7 frightening signs that you're legit becoming an adult living in New York City.
1. You're really stressed out by money. All the time
You're always having #brokepersonproblems.
Seriously, having money in New York is such a constant struggle. Granted, you've been broke since college, but now it's even more of a burden. Sorry, no more spending sprees at Urban Outfitters or spontaneous piercings/tattoos for you.
You feel like you can never save enough money, so you scrimp to the best of your ability. From having your drinks bought by strangers at the bar to using Visa gift cards that you got for the holidays as your way of paying for life's essentials, you've got this saving money thing on lock.
2. All your conversations are now suddenly preoccupied by jobs, school, or who you're dating
When you hang out with friends you haven't seen in a while or you reunite with family for a special occasion, you notice that your conversations all move in the same direction. All the time.
"How was school?" "What did you major in?" "Where do you work?" "What do you want to do after you graduate?" "Any special boys or girls in your life?" "Are you seeing anyone?"
Whoa, take a step back there, amigo. Can't we just talk about Power Rangers or something?
3. You now spend your grocery money wisely
Did we... just see you picking up... Brussels sprouts?
When you go to the grocery store, you no longer make a beeline for chips and salsa, ramen noodles, several pints of Ben and Jerry's, and Oreos. You can actually cook now, so while these luxurious guilty pleasures are still in your life, they are no longer the major components of your diet.
Plus, you've become the master of hosting dinner parties at your place, and you can't serve your peeps cups of noodles for dinner.
4. You now prefer only going out once/weekend
After work on Friday, you're always super shot, so your first instinct isn't to turn up anymore. No thanks, you'll spend the night on your sofa hanging out with friends or roomies. Low-key environments have officially become your forte.
Don't be silly, you're not an old person! Stop checking your face for wrinkles! That's what Saturday nights are for, right?
,5. You can now visit your parents and not get into a fight with them
You weren't always besties with your parents. When you think back to when you were a teen, you probably did duke it out with them a few times; how frequently you did or did not depends on you.
But now,when you go home to visit your parents, you pick up right where you left off and chill out like the best of friends.
It's nice that while you're still their child, you're not that bitter lil' teenager anymore-- just like they're not your soul-crushing, oppressive parents anymore either.
6. You treat your first apartment like gold
Your first NYC apartment may be a total dump. It'll probably be really small but really expensive, and it may not be brand-spanking new. But at the same time, it's a place that is really, truly yours for the first time.
You're not going to let this fall apart, even though you may be falling apart about the fact that you're an adult living on your own.
You'll keep your apartment amazing, decorate it with some awesome wall-stickers or posters that you got at Target, and hound your landlord every time there's a problem.
7. People now ask you if you're engaged, married, or have kids
If you're seeing someone and you go some place new (outside of the comfort of your family or group of friends), people will see that you're grown up and just assume the most of your relationship, regardless of the status that it's at.
"Oh, are you two married?" Whoa. Whoa. No. No we are not. We only just started dating.
Oh, and just the other day someone asked my friend and I if either of us had kids. Um no, and thank God no.
There's a time and a place, buddy, but it's not going to be today.
If you enjoyed this article, check out 11 Excuses Millennials Need to Stop Making!
Feature image article courtesy of Tumblr.