when did you start feeling like an adult? (males, person, adults)

[Nicci6Squirrels]

I got kicked out of my parents' house when I was 17. I ended up living in my car for a while. And then a customer (I waitressed) offered to let me stay with him. Of course, I had no idea at the time that the guy had ulterior motives. I assumed he was just being charitable. Life lessons all over the place with that one! When I think back, I realize how innocent I must have been... but I grew up quickly. I don't recommend it. Stay a non-grown up for as long as possible!

[Ashley868]

I had small realizations shortly after I moved out. I had to start paying room and board when I lived at my moms after I turned 18, but I never minded. It was only $50 a week. I was buying my own groceries before then too, I always had a different taste in food than my family did. However, once I moved out and I had to actually pay more bills I came to that realization. It came to the end of the month, and I realized just how easy I had it living at home with just paying $200 a month and groceries. Then it happened again a little while later when I got laid off from my job, and I didn't want to move back home. So I had to look hard for another job, and find other ways to save money. Then I had to make the decision to leave that town because there were no jobs there for me. I think once I was on my own completely in the city I am in now completed that realization. I was 21 years old, I was an hour away from family and most people I knew. I used to just ask my step father or my friends for rides places but that was over once I moved to the city. I had to actually come with the money for cabs or the bus. Eventually I had to buy car myself. I think all of those different led up the realization.

[brightdoglover]

Age 16, when I started working, and certainly age 20, when I dropped out of college (although had worked all along). I think I always felt like an adult, although my choices and maturity improved. I never saw any positives in being a child (short, broke, ruled by idiotic taller people).

[runswithscissors]

In your twenties you're figuring out who you are and still connected to parents even if you're not around them or whatever.

In your 30's you realize they're just people you happen to be related to by coincidence and start to really break free of baggage or emotional dependency if you're lucky - and really be independent.

By that I mean lots of people in their 20s get involved in power struggles etc even arguing about stupid stuff... and in your 30s you ACTUALLY feel the difference like "who cares" about [whatever] and are comfortable doing your thing.

I would say it's unusual to never have been in a somewhat "serious" relationship but not a bad thing, but I'd probably examine if I'm avoiding that on purpose even subconsciously.

[MetropolitanTN]

I am 28 now and recently started feeling this way. It came because I started making tough choices to get me where I wanted to go. I used to would have said "forget this!" I am sucking it up now to gain benefits down the road. It's definitely different for me. Maturity I guess.

[Ethereal]

At 20-ish.

But I was always a mature and considerate teenager.

[English Dave]

I thought I was an adult when my first son was born when I was 24 years old. I was wrong...... I didn't really become an adult until my father died when I was 34 years old. Everything after that was different.

[charlygal]

Originally Posted by Sickandtiredofthis

I'm 19 and I still act the same as I did at 16 except I make more mature decisions. Its bull**** that we are adults suddenly at 18, I don't live life by that philosophy.

For me, I don't believe I will fully mature until I move out. So maybe 21.

You are legally an adult at 18. No one is accounting for or can control your mental/emotional maturity.

[JonathanLB]

32. Still waiting!

[LoveMysterious]

I really felt like a grown up at around 23, but definitely when I moved out of my parents' home.