How to navigate adulthood with TFS
Written by Miriam Onyemenam
Remember when the biggest decisions you had to make were what flavor of ice cream you wanted and what cartoon to watch? Good old days, man. Assuming we knew that our lives would eventually become a collection of assignments, university stress, and existential crises, we’d have never wished to grow older.
But guess what? You did grow older and you’ll never be an 8-year-old again. In fact, you’ll never be younger than you are in this moment.
So rather than dwelling on how sweet life was as a kid, let’s talk about grabbing adulthood by its horns and showing it that if it kicks your ass, you can kick back even harder.
Before we get into how to navigate this adulthood thing, first note that adulting doesn’t come with a manual. Different things work differently for different people.
With that in mind, here are some tips to help you navigate the crazy world of adulting:
1. Budgeting and Saving: Adulting often means more bills than you wish for. Budgeting and saving become your secret weapons for navigating this financial battlefield. Track your income and expenses to understand where your money goes. Every meat pie, thrift jacket, or concert ticket should be accounted for as that is the first step to controlling your spending.
Utilize budgeting apps or templates to categorize your expenses and allocate portions of your income to the right causes. Be realistic with it too. Then once you have a budget, pay yourself first. Set up automatic transfers to savings so the money can leave your account before you spend it. Start small and build consistency.
Pro tip: Sticking to a budget perfectly is pretty much impossible. Don\’t beat yourself up if you splurge on that shawarma you found yourself craving. Just get back on track the next day. Adulting is a marathon, not a sprint and sometimes you need a boost of happiness to keep going.
2. Have a support system: No adult thrives alone. We all need a strong support system to navigate life\’s ups and downs. Cultivate yours by identifying your tribe—those who cheer you on, make you laugh, and offer you a shoulder to cry on. Family, close friends, mentors – cherish these connections. Expand your tribe by joining clubs, taking classes, a new hobby, or volunteering in your community. This broadens your perspective and exposes you to new people who share your interests. Strong connections can be found in unexpected places.
3. Master the art of saying no: Learning to say no is an essential adulting skill. Saying no in this context means prioritizing your time, energy, and well-being. Be honest about what you can realistically handle. Don\’t be afraid to politely decline requests that would overextend you. If you can\’t commit entirely, offer a modified version of your help. This shows your willingness to participate while setting boundaries. Saying no can feel uncomfortable at first, but it gets easier with practice. The more you do it, the more confident you\’ll become.
4. Adulting doesn’t mean giving up fun: Make time for activities you enjoy. Set out time in your calendar for hobbies, social events, or simply relaxing, and treat them like important appointments. Adding small moments of joy to your routine is very important. Take a walk during your lunch break, listen to music while you cook, or read a few pages of a book you love before bed. Leave room for some spontaneity. Say yes to unexpected adventures or last-minute outings. A healthy balance between responsibility and enjoyment is key to adulting well.
Adulting might not be all sunshine and rainbows, but with a little planning, some essential life skills, and a supportive network, you can survive it. TFS believes in you!
If you are just finding out about TFS, TFS (The Family of Students) is a community of university students; we connect university students and bring the best out of their university experience.
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