Written by Olivia Baker
Unfortunately, there is no handbook, no clear instructions, and no moment where you suddenly feel like you’ve got everything under control in life. One minute you are living life, and the next you’re juggling bills, responsibilities, work, financial commitments, study, and trying to remember to drink enough water. If you have ever felt like you are just winging it, you’re not alone!
Below are three practical adulting tips that have made my life easier and more manageable.
1. Money Management
One of the biggest parts of adulting is getting on top of your finances. My key takeaway points that I live by every day are to know what’s coming in your bank account, know what is going out of your bank account, and to ALWAYS put something aside for savings. Creating a simple budget gives you control and reduces unnecessary stress. Having a budget is not about restriction, it provides freedom and security.
2. Meal Preparation
If there’s one habit that makes everyday life easier, it’s meal prepping. At first, it might sound like an extra effort, but once you get into a routine, it saves you immense time, time, money, and stress. I personally like to reset my week every Sunday by planning meals ahead. Meal prep doesn’t need to be complicated, I recommend that you choose a few simple meals for the week, do one grocery shop and prep what you can in advance (even just chopping ingredients helps). I have found that meal preparation creates structure and makes busy weeks feel far more manageable.
3. Self-Care
Looking after yourself is essential and is not optional as adulting doesn’t mean constantly pushing yourself until you burn out. By ensuring that you get enough sleep, have a clean diet, do things you genuinely enjoy (I love shopping), and have strong time management, you will show up better in every aspect of your life.
In summary, “adulting” is not about having the perfect routine, the perfect finances, or the perfect life. It’s about learning from your experiences, making small improvements over time and building a life that works for you. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and remember that you don’t have to be perfect; you just have to keep going, or as Dory would say #JustKeepSwimming.
Charlie blog is a SSAF initiative.
