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Being a grown-up is not just about taking care of yourself; it's also about considering how your actions affect the people around you. I like to think of it as juggling heavy dumbbells while riding a broken unicycle on a weak tightrope above a savage fire. Fun, right?

To learn which parts of this 'performance' people find the hardest, Redditor u/Frequent-Pilot5243 recently made a post on the platform, asking other users the following question: "What is an adult problem nobody prepared you for?" Turns out, a lot. From personal finance to relationships, continue scrolling to check out some of the most popular answers.

#1

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For Handling the decline and death of your parents

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#2

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For $5K is a lot to owe, but not a lot to have.

Upper-Job5130 , Karolina Grabowska Report

We managed to get in contact with u/Frequent-Pilot5243 and they were kind enough to have a little chat with us about their viral post.

"It indeed is a good question and people replied with a lot of honesty," the Redditor told Bored Panda

"As much as I would like to take the credit this isn't an original post. It is a repost; somebody had asked this question a year or year and a half ago."

#4

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For Life is all about maintenance. Your body, your house, your relationships, everything requires constant never ending maintenance.

IHateEditedBgMusic , James Bartholomew Report

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CatGirl
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The trick is to do it in ways that you like - I like going to the gym, I don't mind cleaning, and I like my boyfriend. Once something gets to the point where you just hate doing it, you need to stop - and no, the alternative ISN'T worse

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#5

Didn't know that other adults have the emotional intelligence of teenagers and its almost impossible to deal with logically

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Pisco
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was one of my biggest disappointments when i became an adult. As a teenager I beliwved that bullying and idiocy would dissapear after school. Then I got to the university and no... But I tought that it would go away after. I was so wrong...

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Indeed, even we covered a thread that virtually asks the same question.

But the answers that this one has received make it a totally new discussion.

"I didn't expect it to blow up like this," u/Frequent-Pilot5243 said.

But some of these issues probably wouldn't even arise if paid more attention to their roots. Approximately 3 in 4 adult or young adult children who experienced a mental health challenge indicated at least some of the challenges occurred before the age of 18, and approximately half of them said that their parents never sought treatment for them, while approximately three quarters said that they wished their parents had done so.

Of these folks, approximately 67% said it was because they would not have suffered so much during their teenage years, approximately 66% said that they would be better equipped to handle their current problems, and approximately 64% said it would have better prepared them for adulthood.

So problems begin early on in our personal journeys. “Transitioning into adulthood is enough of a struggle. No one should have to battle their mental health at the same time,” Debbie Thomas, EdD, APRN, based in Louisville, Kentucky, explained the numbers in a statement.

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If only we were better at noticing them...

#6

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For Almost all of your friends wont be life long. No one really talks about how common it is to lose touch with people or grow apart. Most of your life will be spent either making new friends while losing old ones or being alone.

Emotional_Tale1044 , Ba Phi Report

#7

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For The more life you’ve lived, the faster time seems to go.

FadedQuill , Pixabay Report

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DUN DUN (she/her)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This! Exactly! How was 2020 2 years ago!?? I haven't even finished digesting 2019...??..??

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#8

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For That turning down the radio, when you are lost in a neighborhood helps you see better.

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#9

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For How damned tired you are all the time.

chickenofalltrades , Adam Dimmick Report

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Kanuli
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do I end this cycle? I know people who can do alot compared to my capabilities. Some weeks I can do with 4-6h sleep. Other days I sleep 16h straight multiple days in a row.

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#10

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For How easy it is to feel stuck in a bad situation (job, relationship, etc) just because the cost and effort of getting out can seem daunting. And sometimes you just have to accept a figurative bowl full of s**t because you can't afford to blow up your life.

movieguy95453 , Liza Summer Report

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Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am convinced that many people would divorce and be single if rent was affordable for 1 person and moving out was easier.

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#11

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For You can stay up as late as you want. But you shouldn't

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“Shouldn’t” I just hate that word. I have had severe insomnia since I was young, I have some.friends who are the same way. They got tested in a sleep study, some of us have brains that just don’t shut down for long sleeps. It is what it is

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#12

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For How prevalent depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation is. At this point I think every adult has been through it at some point in their lives.

ojazela , Magnus Karlsson Report

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CatGirl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And that's why I don't have kids and why quite a lot of people probably shouldn't. Not because they're suicidal, but because the exhaustion, poverty and solitude of much of life means that they can't guarantee that their kids WON'T be suicidal

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#13

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For Lack of purpose.

All your young life you are given purpose of passing exams and learning, then all of a sudden you are thrown into the world and told to find your own meaning.

Captain_Snow , Georgie Pauwels Report

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Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel this so badly. Since I became too ill to work or study I feel absolutely useless. I could get used to being unemployed but working in our garden for food/animals. But being only able to do housechores, and with a lot of difficulty, has broken me. My life now is emptying the dishwasher, laundry and tyding up a house that is never clean.

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#14

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For The kitchen is always dirty. You’ll clean it at least three times every day.

cewnc , Dejan Krsmanovic Report

#15

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For Figuring out what makes you happy. Everyone keeps trying to get you to do things you're good at, or that makes you money, but never to pursue what you enjoy

eternalwanderer5 , Tim Gouw Report

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MyOpinionHasBeenServed
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

O.M.G. Yessss This. This is exactly how my whole adult life has been but couldn't explain it as well as this.

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#16

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For Working full time, but still not being able to afford the basic necessities of life.

Liam_Tang , Marco Verch Professional Report

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Caleb Burrows
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stop talking about Republicans versus liberals and start agreeing with each other on how screwed up the payment system is in the US maybe if we stopped arguing we could get something done. I'm talking to both you iconoclast and jmdirks.

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#17

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For Adult life being basically a permanent to-do list that just keeps on getting bigger and bigger

madkeepz , john.schultz Report

#18

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For Without a support system, your mental illnesses alone can render you homeless.

Ok_Sheepherder_8313 , J.RISTANIEMI Report

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So can a dozen other situations. It’s not hard to become homeless these days, what’s hard is dragging yourself out off that hole and not having it be your default go to when the s**t hits the fan. There is a YouTube channel titled Invisible People, run by a guy who experienced homelessness and got back on his feet, he now interviews homeless people. Although their stories can be hard to hear, it can really shine the light on how things like predatory lending, medical debt, divorce etc can land good hardworking people on the street.

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#19

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For Daughter with behavioral and mental issues. Then she got pregnant at 16. It was a roller coaster ride…very trying and about kicked my [butt].

My husband had esophageal cancer and then 9 years later had 14 brain lesions. Both times his survival rate was low, but he’s still here.

Feel like I’ve been in survival mode for years and years. I’m kinda tired now.

Sharonanana , Gareth Williams Report

#20

That I can horrifically f**k my neck up just by sleeping at a funny angle

Retrosonic82 Report

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2x4b523p
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh just last month I fell asleep with hair clip on, woke up with blocked upper torso, neck and left arm. Husband had to help me in and out of bed for a week.

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#21

Being 60 years old and still having to deal with people that act we’re still in high school. I can’t stand back biting and temper tantrums, and it seems even worse from 50 and 60 year olds. It’s embarrassing and I thought it would end, but apparently drama never ends

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#23

This may just be because I’m on the spectrum but networking for jobs. My parents had the same jobs since I was born so I never saw them or anyone else look for one that wasn’t a temporary job for a college student so I didn’t know. I thought hard work would basically show employers I was worth hiring and despite burning myself out I still lost out to people with half my ability because they were more sociable was baffling to me for a long time.

TPrice1616 Report

#24

I'm close to 50. Would have been nice to be better prepared for some of the ways your body starts to change that don't normally get talked about. For instance, your teeth will start to shift from the general aging of your gums

Jaycatt Report

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Bron
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And not being able to read without glasses! And how all your skin goes wrinkly, hate those

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#25

I’ll say this: as a kid you think adults have it all together. Turns out we are just winging it.

ShorterByTheSecond Report

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most people are just doing the best with what they have which is why being compassionate is never a bad thing

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#26

My dad killed himself 3 days after my 31st birthday. And I still had to wake up and be a mother and a functional human being. Still have to.

There is no preparing for that.

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Death is the ultimate game changer. Sorry for your loss, virtual hugs

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#27

That people will actively work against their own interests and/or the interests of society.

Growing up, you look at well adjusted adults and think “wow, these people know what’s going on and will help us all get to a better place.” Now? You realize there are a bunch of really stupid folk out there.

Yoluun Report

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone has their own agenda, some are just more closeted about theirs than others.

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#28

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For Getting burnt out

OddRumskie , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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#29

How much you have to clean. Like you are always cleaning something. I hate it

ljam16 Report

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love to clean. Sorry I’m the wet blanket to your dislikes, but I love seeing just how beautiful and clean I can get things. Like gardening and cooking, I get to see and appreciate the fruits of my labor each time I do the task. I guess I’m easily entertained

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#30

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For That once you are "stable" your life is f**king groundhog's day. Every day is basically the same. Same person I already married, same house I already have and already decorated, same job every day, same foods over and over. Same damn shows and movies and songs... Boring and sometimes I have a crazy spell because I just can't stand it... dysphoria sucks.

gyre_and_gimble_ , Nenad Stojkovic Report

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Anna Snorrepot
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the stability and predictability. I now have the peace of mind to enjoy free time, being it arty, outdoory or cuddly. I'm all there and experience it to the full. Real connection to me, to nature or to someone else.

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#31

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For Being asked why I'm single and have no kids like I'm some sort of alien.

thefanhit , Sofia Alejandra Report

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Samantha Lomb
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just say "they died" and end all further questioning! And hopefully embarrass the nebby noser.

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#32

You can clearly see the systems that are in place to prevent you from advancing, but they're effective in preventing you from advancing.

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#33

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For Being an adult feels extremely lonely

Bluebloop0 , Bianca Moraes Report

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Anna Snorrepot
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. I found a fellow Asperger to marry and now I'm not lonely anymore. I dread the day they'll die though! I block that train of thought though as that day is not here now. Live in the moment. Invite yourself over for coffee at the neighbours. There are many nice people out there.

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#34

How to fight with a partner. I just shut down because I don't know how to handle it.

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Pisco
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We should teach kids emptional intelligence. I have none and dont know how to be assertive without sounding angry or whiney

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#35

As a kid, I was taught, if you work hard, you can buy a house and move out once you’re 18. I wish I could tell little me that isn’t gonna happen anytime soon haha

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Natalie Kudryashova
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately many of us weren’t told that working hard is only one part of the equation.

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#36

Feeling like I’ve already seen every plot known to man and so movies are very predictable and not as enjoyable as they were when I was younger.

busyB_83 Report

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Mistralok
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Watch the oldies. You may be reasonably certain of the outcome, but the path there is almost always delightful.

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#37

40 Adult Problems Nobody Prepared You For Not having a lot of free-time or time by myself.

detective_kiara , Ron Lach Report

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ChimeraBubbles
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't have kids and this is one of the main reasons. I am an Adverse Childhood Experiences survivor and know myself well enough to know if I don't get regular time to myself my coping capacity goes down to near zero. Time on my own is used to decompress and process so I can keep on an even keel and not be a concern (or honestly just a plain nightmare) to my loved ones. It helps me maintain reality and own my emotional/mental state. I used to feel ashamed I "couldn't cope like everybody else" but now I just own it.

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#38

How to handle existential crisis and the looming thought of my own death and the deaths of those around me.

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Anna Snorrepot
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Live in the moment, in the now. You're not dead right now and neither are they. Your stress isn't a solution to these eventualities, it's not practical at all. You may stress when it happens, not before. And I assure you: you will be OK when it happens, because that time too is lived in moments and not as an avalanche. You are OK. You are built to experience life in moments and they're always in the here and now. You are built for this. You're a natural too and you will find so once you let your controlling mind back off a bit.

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#39

Imposter syndrome. And then realizing that likely every expert or professional you’ve ever really trusted also probably has imposter syndrome and knows much less than you think they do. This became very apparent to me during the pandemic when I realized that our governments and our medical professionals don’t have all the answers and we’re all just figuring things out as we go.

Successful_Chip3930 Report

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most of us are just trying to do the best we can, imposter syndrome or not. The rest are just freeloading jerks making life hard for everyone around them

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#40

The intricacies of workplace politics.

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MyOpinionHasBeenServed
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never realized how much school tried to condition us for the corporate world until I worked in the corporate world. Washroom breaks controlled: check. Expected to stay seated at your desk: check. Don't question the teacher/manager tells you: check. Meager, small "incentives" (gold star/free coffee/pizza days): check. Micromanaging: check. Disregard for medical care: check.

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