Why Is "Adulting" So Anxiety-Inducing?

We’ve all heard the phrase “adulting is hard,” and while it’s typically said in a light-hearted fashion, there’s a lot of truth to it. 

We don’t realize how lucky we are when we’re younger with no real responsibilities. As you get older and “adulting” becomes the reality of life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, tired, anxious, or even depressed. 

As a result, so many of us aren’t prepared for what adulting throws our way. That can often make you feel overwhelmed. But, why is adulting really so anxiety-inducing? More importantly, what can you do to combat those anxious feelings? 

You Can Feel Totally Alone

Adulthood can make you feel like you’ve been completely stripped of support in a matter of minutes. You have to find a job or finish your education, make enough money to pay rent or a mortgage, buy food, pay bills, and so much more. 

Your life will also be busier. When you’re not working, you’ll have home responsibilities to take care of, and that can take a toll on your social life. 

When you’ve stepped out from the support of your family and you’re always busy with your responsibilities, it’s easy to feel alone and isolated. Unfortunately, that kind of isolation can cause your anxious thoughts to wander. You might start to think you’re not cut out for this kind of life. Or, you might be worried about your success or lack thereof. 

Comparison Issues

Speaking about being successful or not, adulting also comes with comparison – especially in this social-media-driven world. 

While comparing yourself to others isn’t exclusive to adulthood, it can be more anxiety-inducing as you get older. You might see your friends — either in person or online — talking or posting about their success or what they’re doing with their lives. You might feel like you’re somehow behind or not where you should be on your journey. 

Comparing yourself to others is never healthy, especially when it comes to social media. What people are posting is nothing more than a highlight reel of their lives. No one knows what’s happening behind the scenes, so don’t put too much clout into what you see or hear, and stay focused on your own pace. 

A Lack of Community

When you’re out on your own for the first time, you might feel like an outsider. That’s especially true if you’ve moved to a different location for work, school, or just to try something different. 

It’s often easy to make friends as kids and teens. You meet people at school, playing sports, or by getting involved in extracurricular activities. 

As an adult, that’s harder to do. As mentioned above, you’re likely to have a busy schedule. It can be difficult to get involved with hobbies or activities that involve other people. You might even feel like a fish out of water going to the coffee shop in your new neighborhood. 

While building a personal community takes time and effort, it’s understandable to feel anxious about it, especially at first. 

What Can You Do? 

Obviously, you can’t stop adulthood from happening. You can’t shirk your responsibilities or regress back to your teen years by moving back in with your parents. Is adulting always fun? No. But, it doesn’t have to be anxiety-inducing. 

The best things you can do involve self-care. Prioritize your physical and mental health by getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and staying active. 

Choose to be as social as possible. Put yourself out there in your community, stay connected to family and friends, and consider joining things that will let you step out of your comfort zone to meet new people. 

If you’re still struggling with anxiety, don’t hesitate to reach out to learn about anxiety therapy. Therapy can help you work through your symptoms and discover the things that are actually enjoyable about adulting.