If you didn’t feel like a responsible person on your 18th or 21st birthdays, take heart; most people don’t feel like they’ve hit adulthood for a few more years. According to a New York Post survey, men consider 26 the age at which they became an adult, while women — ever the mature sex — felt like a grownup at 23. Of course, you don’t need a survey to tell you whether you’ve entered the world of responsibility; a few tell-tale signs will confirm your suspicions.
You’re asleep by 10 p.m.
By adulthood, you’ve learned that burning the midnight oil is synonymous with burning out. And it’s no wonder; according to Huffington Post, people who go to sleep earlier experience less stress and worry and are more productive at work — things that definitely matter to responsible people. So if you’re hitting the hay before The Late Show, you’re in the club.
Your work clothes take up most of your closet
Actually, if the term “work clothes” even applies to your wardrobe, you’re already pretty mature; that means you have a job that requires you to look more professional than your daily t-shirt and jeans. But when those dry-clean-only blouses, button-downs, suit jackets and neutral slacks take up more space than your hoodies, sundresses, shorts and sandals, you’re a full-fledged responsibility guru. But don’t resent the extra hours you spend ironing; according to Scientific American, dressing more formally increases abstract thinking.
You have your own insurance policy
You might have moved out of your parents’ house a long time ago, but that doesn’t mean you left their health insurance plan. The Affordable Care Act made it possible for children to be covered by their parents’ health plan until age 26, even if they are married or have dependents of their own. With the ability to delay the indubitably grown-up act of purchasing your own policy, doing so undoubtedly puts you firmly in responsible adult territory.
You get your news…from the news
Sure, Stephen Colbert, John Stewart and Jimmy Fallon will keep you abreast of current events — sort of. But if your primary news source has become an actual news organization, well… welcome to Grownupville. According to Pew Research, in 2017, 57% of Americans age 65 and up often got their news from local TV, compared with just 18% of Americans age 18 to 29.
You have a budget (and maybe even stick to it)
Remember the good old days of treating yourself every time you scored a pay check? For responsible people, financial freedom isn’t an abstract concept — it’s a realistic goal. If you’ve created a budget to help you live within your means and save for retirement, well, you’ve got responsible written all over you. And if your budget actually makes you feel less stressed, you’re most certainly adulting.
You’re making career moves, not job changes
Everyone has worked odd jobs, but if those entry-level, learn-as-you-go positions are behind you, you’re likely in the (decidedly responsible) career phase of your life. Now, you’re looking for opportunities to grow and develop your skillset and take on new challenges and responsibilities — and you’re looking for workplaces that offer you amazing benefits and a comfortable, balanced culture. If this sounds like you, you sound like a responsible person — one with a successful future ahead.
You own your mistakes
Newsflash: even responsible adults make mistakes now and then. But what makes them responsible is their ability to readily admit and apologize for their mishaps. Make no mistake — even the most responsible adults don’t enjoy admitting to their own mistakes. They just know their credibility and reputation rely on it. If this is something you’re still working on, check out Fast Company for a list of common mistakes people make when apologizing. If none of these apply to you, you’re a mature — and humble — person.
You care about tidying up
Remember your college days when you wouldn’t wash a dish until you were out of clean ones? If you’ve become decidedly more domesticated, it probably means you’re now a full-fledged grownup. Rather than leaving your bed unmade for weeks on end, you fluff the pillows and pull the sheets taut every morning. You rarely go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink and don’t let dirty laundry pile on your floor. After all, you never know when you might have an unexpected visitor or an impromptu dinner party at your place.
If you’re a responsible person looking to make a strategic career move in an exciting, growing industry, BioFire Defense may have a position for you. Find out more about career opportunities at BioFire Defense today.