The Joys of Being a Grown-Up

As I sit here at my computer, there is a couch slipcover in my washing machine. I noticed after performing the delicate surgery of removing it that the tag says, “Machine wash. No tumble dry.” It is currently 24 degrees outside and my neighborhood HOA has a rule against hanging laundry outside, so I really wish that I would have read more than just the “Machine Washable!” tag before purchasing my sectional and matching chair. Now I get to decide if I’m going to roll the dice and put the slipcover in the dryer (of course I am).

Why is that my decision to make? Because I’m the grown-up.

And sometimes being the grown-up sucks.

I’m blessed to be married to a man who doesn’t mind grown-up tasks like putting clean laundry away and taking out the trash, so he allows me to ignore much of the mindless drivel that can make life as a grown-up less appealing. I’m in charge of the tasks that horrify him such as anything involving eye drops or blood.

But First Aid and laundry aside, the truth is that being a grown-up is really pretty amazing. I reached out to some friends on Facebook to see what they love best about being an adult. To inspire them I had Nutella on toast and a Dr. Pepper mid-morning just because I could and despite the fact that I had eaten breakfast two hours earlier. That’s right. I’m living like a rock star.

What’s awesome about being a grown-up?

I love being able to stay up as late as I want…which really isn’t very often. – Sara from Sensibly Sara

I can eat an entire bag of candy and watch all the TV I want after the kids go to bed. Minus the ability to then fit into my  jeans and being extremely tired in the morning, it is bliss. – Ashley from The Dose of Reality

I love that I can go out with my friends without having to ask “permission” or having a “curfew.” – Lisa from Mom on the Side

I get to eat cupcakes (or any other confection) before dinner if I want and it actually won’t spoil my appetite. – Maggie from Linneyville

I get the best of both worlds: I get to work and follow my passions, but I get to act like a kid with my kids when I want to. – Ashley from Fiddle Dee Me

I get to change the rules when I don’t want them to apply, whether that’s how I feel about sleepovers, what we’ll do on vacation, whether we HAVE to go to (insert sport here) or something else entirely. Oh, and I get veto power over just about anything – movies, food, daily activities, etc. – Michelle from Honest and Truly

I love being able to go to Disneyland whenever I want (or can afford it, have time for…), not having to wait, and beg, and wait, and beg, and wait some more for my parents to take me. – Sunny from Wonder and Company

Perspective. Yes, riding a bike all day is cool, but the littlest things seemed SO BIG. I never have to go to high school again. Bullies don’t bother me. No homework. I eat the vegetables I want, and no others. Sex. Bailey’s Irish Cream. Staying up as late as I want. R-rated movies. I’m more confident in myself and no longer worry as much about what other people think. – Christy from Quirky Fusion

Being with the same man for the rest of my life is true bliss. When I was a younger gal, that idea was so foreign and not in my life plan. I just didn’t know what I was missing! – Jamie

Making my own schedule! I choose to work from home and homeschool so I can rearrange my schedule however works best. – Jendi from Jendis Journal

I like being an adult because I can wear socks or not wear them when it’s cold out. – Nikki from Chaos in the Country

I can read books all night (and I do!!!!). – Tara

Wine time. Enough said. – Amiyrah from 4 Hats and Frugal

I can make a giant mess and leave it out for as long as I please. – Chelsea from Someday I’ll Learn

What do YOU love most about being a grown-up?