Lifestyle

12 Things You Upgrade When You're Peak Adulting

by Blair Thill

Do they make adulthood sound unattractive when we're kids, or what?

We read fairy tales about children who literally run away to an island to avoid the responsibilities of adulthood. We are inundated with advertisements warning us of the perils of growing up, a message that the adults in our lives vehemently agree with. What can we possibly deduce other than that growing up is a terrible experience?

We put off adulting as long as possible, but there comes a point when we have to accept that it's inevitable. There comes a point when we even need to embrace adulthood.

Adulting isn't about the end of freedom, it's about upgrading your life! You now have the ability to make all of your own decisions. It's rewarding — not hard and scary. And when you're peak adulting, life gets even better.

Here are 12 things you upgrade when you're peak adulting.

You clean your home to clear your mind.

Cleaning is time-consuming, sure. But when you come home to a spotless apartment, you feel a sense of peace and calm. When that faucet is gleaming and your sheets are freshly laundered, your mind is clear. That makes the few hours you spent with the sponge and mop totally worth it.

You're healthy because you go to the doctor regularly.

Peak adulting means going to the doctor even when you aren't sick. (I know, novel concept.) But when you schedule appointments with your primary care physician, dentist and eye doctor on a proactive basis, you'll be less likely to have health problems in between. There is a reason, after all, that the annual physical is a thing.

You know you deserve to treat yourself every once in a while.

If you're having a bad day or going through a particularly stressful life event, the best way to elevate your mood is to treat yourself. Get a pedicure. Buy tickets to that concert you've been wanting to see. Do something out of the ordinary to make it an extraordinary day.

You realize one good pair of shoes is better than five pairs of "meh" shoes.

The mistake we make when first shopping with disposable income is this: We buy in bulk, rather than invest in one quality item. When it comes to something like shoes, you COULD buy five cheaper pairs, but they'll all wear down in mere months. Spend your money on one really good, versatile pair that'll last for years. That kind of durability makes them more valuable than those five pairs could ever be.

Alone time upgrades any given week.

Sometimes the best thing we can do for our sanity is to cut the noise and spend time with the person most important to us: ourselves. It's important to set aside time every week just for yourself. Whether you use that time to run errands or peacefully reflect, you'll feel instantly more calm with a little alone time.

Cooking is way more fulfilling than ordering in.

Takeout is the biggest temptation the Internet is responsible for. It's just so easy! But cooking is an amazing way to upgrade your diet AND unwind at the end of the day. When you see that beautiful plate of food in front of you, you can't help but be proud of what you've accomplished.

You can exist on seven hours of sleep, but eight will always be better.

Everything is better when you get a good night's sleep. The grass looks greener, the flowers smell better and your energy is through the roof. When you make the conscious effort to get at least eight hours of sleep every night, you're a more pleasant person. Period.

Vegetables make you feel better than carbs in the long run.

Carbs may taste right in the moment, but your body and your health will thank you down the line if you consume that celery stalk instead of that cookie. You can (and should) indulge from time to time, but vegetables should be a staple of your daily life.

You spend more time with the people who lift you up.

Sometimes we take a step back and realize that we've filled our weeks with people who aren't adding any value to our lives. Maybe they are stuck in their own problems, or perhaps you just don't have much in common anymore. As you grow up, you realize that your time is best spent with the people who lift you up and support you. Seeing that kind of friend will make any ordinary day instantly better.

Budgeting your money means maximizing your money.

When you allot a certain amount of money toward necessities like rent and food, you know exactly how much money you have to play with when it comes to the fun things in life. When you approach your finances this way, you'll never end the month strapped for cash, questioning if you'll be able to pay your bills. Without that shadow looming overhead, life will be much easier.

You have more fun when you embrace your inner child.

When you are hardcore adulting, it's important to remember that there's still value in embracing your inner child. It's important to keep your imagination intact and let yourself revel in the things you enjoyed as a kid. This is precisely why things like trampoline parks and adult coloring books are so popular.

Being an adult is the ultimate upgrade.

Adulthood means total freedom. Freedom to spend your own money and make your own choices. You don't answer to anyone — your life is yours to plan.  You may have obligations, but those obligations are yours to choose.

If you remember that, you'll own adulthood like the boss you were born to be.

Compensation for this post was provided by CLEAR CARE® via Elite Daily. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of CLEAR CARE® or Elite Daily.