Yesterday I got to thinking about the milestones that made me realize I was an adult. I don't mean birthdays or graduations - these are more subtle symbols of adulthood. Here are a few of them in chronological order:
- Buying your own plane ticket - Can you think of a more potent symbol of adult freedom? I remember thinking, even at the time, "Wow, I'm really grown up now!"
- Purchasing a piece of new furniture - After years of making do with other people's castoff furnishings, it's a big deal to buy something new for yourself.
- Replacing a piece of furniture you originally bought new - This is when you really start to realize you've grown up. For me, buying a new clothes hamper to replace my original one had special resonance.
- Buying a house - I know, "Duh." But it marks the transition between, "Hey, man, it's a free country - I can walk across your property if I want to!" and "Hey you kids - get off of my lawn!"
- Putting away the tchotchkes of youth - Huh? Let me illustrate: Last night my husband bought some wonderful incense and we wanted to burn a stick of it. I knew it meant we'd finally left behind our "just out of the dorm" lifestyle when it took me twenty minutes to round up an incense burner.
I can't even imagine #3 yet! I'm just doing #2 for the first time (oh, that sounds bad)....we're just buying our first piece of real furniture, that is. But only because I get it at cost since I work there. Replacing it? I can't even imagine how old I'll be when this happens!
Jane says: Believe me, there's no rush to get from stage to stage. It just means you're getting old!
Posted by: Sarah | April 29, 2004 at 06:28 PM
I'd add:
Moving for a new job and being paid to do so: I am having a freakish time with the realization that I am quite definitely a grownup now as I go through this packing project. It has been interesting, to be sure.
Very nice site...I like it!
Posted by: girl | April 30, 2004 at 07:49 AM