10 Things Every Adult Should Know How to do ...

I know quite a few adults who can’t stand being alone. I actually like a bit of quiet time to myself. You know, now that I think of it, most of my friends who don’t like being alone don’t have kids. I like having a chance to sit and read a book by myself without interruptions. I think all adults should be able to spend at least a portion of a day along without freaking out.

I think listening is an important skill that should be well-developed by the time adulthood rolls around. There is a lot of listening involved with growing up; paying attention in class, listening to advice given by parents, and lending an ear to friends in need.

Kids are entitled to freak out during an emergency. It’s up to the adults to help out or to call for help from those more qualified. Adults should be able to remain level-headed in an emergency otherwise there might not be anyone to go for help!

Adults should be able to maintain a good relationship with other grown-ups and with a lot less drama. By the time adulthood comes around, there shouldn’t be any need for drama. High school usually cures most by supplying more drama than is ever needed in an entire life time. This means that you should be able to focus more on friendship when you become an adult, instead of who’s doing what with whom and trying to keep up with the current gossip.

There is way too much waste that goes on in the world. As an adult, I tend to know what I need to have in order to get by and what my family requires as well. I don’t feel compelled to buy a lot of extra stuff ‘just in case’. I never really understood that. Having extra food in the pantry is one thing, but a closet full of shoes in order to have a pair to match ever outfit is a bit ridiculous. Learn to appreciate what you have and see just how much you can do without for at least a month. You’ll be surprised at how much money you save and how much crud you end up leaving in the store.

Little kids and teenagers are all about looking forward to what they are going to do next. As an adult, you should really know how to relax. Know just what is needed to help you relax; a massage, foot rub, warm bubble bath, a cup of coffee piled high with whipped cream, or maybe a firm bar of rich chocolate. Being able to get what you need to relax and when you need it is something all adults should know how to do.

This doesn’t necessarily have to involve a sexual act. Being able to make a partner satisfied in a relationship involves a variety of things. Effective communication can be very satisfying. Getting close while watching a movie and simply enjoying each other’s company can be another great feeling of satisfaction. Making another person happy in a variety of ways can be just as satisfying for you as it is for them.

Even if you only head right over the boarder into a country that adjoins your own, this is better than not going anywhere at all. There are many aspects involved with traveling to another country and I think adults should take this adventure at least once in their lifetime.

Being able to add and subtract should be something most adults can handle easily, even if they have to use a calculator to double-check their figures. Balancing a checkbook is an important part of life, if you have a checking account that is. It doesn’t take that much time to do either. Write the dollar amount in the check book at the same time the check is being written. How simple is that!

I’m surprised at how many people complain about being unhappy and don’t do anything about it. Adults should know what makes them happy and how to go about making their own happiness. Sure, everyone would love a high-paying job, a nice home to live in, and low monthly bills, but I’m talking about happiness that comes from the little things in life. There are plenty of everyday things that you can do to make yourself happy. Find out what these are and do them for yourself from time to time.

Writing this list of 10 things every adult should know how to do was actually helpful to me. There are a lot of aspects of adulthood that I never really think about. This list helped me to remember a few minor parts of adulthood that I feel most people already know about. In your opinion, what other things could be added to this list?

Top Photo Credit: bitzi☂