Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Adjusting your lifestyle
• Part 2 of 2: Adjusting your attitude and behavior

Are you 18 or older, but do you feel like a child? Do you find it difficult to act like an adult towards others, even though you are legally? Being an adult can be difficult for some, especially if you're not sure what that entails. Making some changes in your way of life and your general attitude towards others can take you one step closer to your goal of acting more like an adult.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Adjusting your lifestyle

1. Dress like an adult. Buy clothes that make you feel more grown up in order to get into your role better. Swap your band shirts for shirts, choose a nice blazer instead of a denim jacket and invest in a nice pair of shoes.
   • Go shopping with an adult and ask for their advice on your choices. Look for high-quality clothing that is well-made. Temporary fashions or trendy styles might look good now, but investing in garments that you can wear for more than a few weeks is a smarter move.
   • Put a little more time into your appearance by doing your hair, making sure your clothes are clean, and putting on a nice scent.
2. Make sure your living environment is clean and tidy. A cluttered house can make you feel like you're living in a college dorm or a teenager's room. Do the dishes and laundry so that there are no piles of plates in the sink or laundry lying around in your room or apartment. Reduce clutter by reorganizing your living space in a more functional way. Focus on creating a clean, organized living space.
   • For tips and directions on how to clean your living space, read articles on wikiHow on Organizing Your Room and Cleaning Your House.
3. Find a mentor. A mentor is someone who provides help and advice to a less experienced person. A good mentor will help you build confidence and self-esteem. He or she will teach you new skills or help you improve the skills you already have, and act as a role model or someone you can look up to with respect.
   • Ask for help from a counselor at school, or from leading people in your area. You can also look for a mentor in your family or a close family friend.
   • Inquire about programs for young people that seek out role models and mentors within their communities.
4. Learn a new skill. This could be something like cooking, driving, or even crocheting. Build your confidence by learning about a skill or activity that interests you.
   • Getting your driver's license is a big step towards independence and more responsibility. You no longer have to depend on someone else, like your parents, to bring you and pick you up, and you no longer have to conform to someone else's schedule when you need to be on time for an appointment or an important meeting.
   • Even if you decide not to take a car, having a driver's license can mean you always have the choice to rent a car for a trip, or be the one to drive the other person home safely in their car after a night out .
   • Getting better at cooking is a great way to become more independent and confident as a person.
   • Start small and try simple dishes, such as a sandwich for lunch or a stir-fry for dinner. Search online for simple recipes that can be prepared in under 30 minutes. Offer to cook for your parents or a friend to teach you new skills. The more you practice cooking, the more confident you will become in the kitchen.
5. Manage your finances. This is an important one, because most adults have their finances under control and in order.
   • Make an appointment with a financial advisor to discuss smart ways to invest your money. Create a budget divided into months. Focus on saving as much money as possible. This money can be spent on other particularly adult things, such as a car, a house, or a long journey.
   • Do not indulge in clothing or other unnecessary items. That way, you show the other adults in your life that you are serious about taking your responsibilities for how and when you spend your money.
   • Learning to manage your finances is also beneficial for you as a person and will make you more confident in the company of other adults.

Part 2 of 2: Adjusting your attitude and behavior

1. Be well-mannered. Ask things politely and thank people, apologize in a crowded room if you have to pass, and say "health" when someone has to sneeze. Send thank you cards, call your mom back, and chew with your mouth closed. Good manners show you respect for others, which in turn leads them to respect you as an adult.
2. Take responsibility for your actions. If you've had an argument with someone, take responsibility for your part in the confrontation and apologize to that person. If you accidentally hit your parent's car on a night out, take responsibility for that action and share what happened. Admitting your mistakes is an important part of being an adult, even if it means facing the consequences.
3. Don't be afraid of negative feedback as long as it is constructive. An important part of being an adult is being willing to work on improving yourself every day. Feedback from a teacher, manager, or classmate can help you develop into a better adult, as long as it is constructive criticism and not hurtful or offensive. Many adults are open to criticism at work and at home. Dealing with criticism in a stylish and open manner shows that you are a mature, confident person.
   • If you receive negative feedback, focus on how you can improve your work based on this feedback. Do not spend too much time analyzing the negative comments and do not regret this negative result. Instead, see how you can use the feedback in a positive way to improve your work or study.
4. Be confident, but not arrogant. Approach situations with confidence and purpose, especially if it has to do with your education or your work. Make sure you don't act out of the blue or arrogant. This will only alienate you from other people and lead to confrontation.
   • Being confident rather than arrogant also allows you to consider other people's points of view and shows that you can act as a good leader and role model for others.