Gen Z is obsessed with discussing “adulting” like it’s this fantasy adventure – paying bills, cooking dinner, getting a doctor’s appointment. Cute, right? Yes, we agree that they’re super well-versed in memes, side hustles, and iced coffee drinks, but when it comes to the actual business of being a grown-up? Let’s just say it is a little shaky. These are the everyday adulting things Gen Z keeps getting wrong, and they might need a quick reality check.
Calling Everything “Self-Care”
Skipping work? Self-care. Ghosting friends? Self-care. Spent $400 on a skincare fridge? Definitely self-care. Gen Z made “self-care” short for anything that was just getting in the way, watering down the boring truth: sometimes adulting is self-care – i.e., paying bills on time or unclogging your sink.
Believing DoorDash Is a Grocery Budget
Somehow, Gen Z finds that paying $30 for Uber Eats is less expensive than learning how to actually cook. Newsflash: purchasing groceries and creating three meals out of them is real adulting. Delivery is wonderful, but no, it is not a “life hack.”
Thinking Credit Cards = Free Money
Gen Z pretty much treats their credit cards as Monopoly money. That unnecessarily expensive latte, the Shein shopping spree, because why not – and suddenly, voilà, you’re $3,000 in debt at 23. And just like that, “I’ll pay it later” turns into “Why is my soul crying over this 29% interest rate?” Adulting 101: Credit cards are a trap if you don’t pay them off in full every month.
Thinking “Work-Life Balance” Means Barely Working
Work-life balance? Essential. But some Gen Zers think it means logging off Slack at 3 p.m. every day, ignoring work emails, and the audacity to still expect a promotion. Balance does not mean no effort – it means not burning out while still… y’know, doing your job.
Believing Self-Care Solves Financial Stress
Gen Z loves self-care Sundays: candles, skincare, bath bombs. Cute! But this $75 spa candle is not going to erase the $400 car payment that is due soon. Adulting means knowing the difference between treating yourself and putting yourself into debt for just vibes.
Considering Sleep as Optional
Some Gen Z individuals work until 2 a.m., scroll until 4 a.m., and then wonder why they are tired at work, even before lunchtime. They think pulling all-nighters is cool and treat sleep like a luxury instead of the bare minimum. But you’ll learn sooner or later that a good night’s sleep is indispensable.
Thinking Retirement Can Wait Forever
Gen Z acts like 401(k)s are for dinosaurs. But here is the reality check: compound interest works best when you start early. If you blow up everything on concert tickets and impulsive shopping, then at the age of 70, you will hate your 25-year-old self. The future you want a beach house, not a broken house.
Expecting Work to Be Fun Every Day
Most Gen Z want their job to be their passion, their best friend, and their personal therapy session. Hate to break it to you: even dream jobs have boring parts. Some days, adulting is just replying to emails and surviving Zoom calls.
Believing Therapy Solves Everything Overnight
Yes, Gen Z deserves all due credit for normalizing therapy – but it is not magic. A single therapy session cannot magically erase your student loan. Being an adult means committing to the hard work, practicing habits, and yes, showing up even when you would rather binge-watch reality TV. Development takes time, not just TikTok quotes.
Confusing Side Hustles with Stable Income
Gen Z loves a side hustle. It can be anything: growing your Instagram audience, reselling thrift finds, making candle TikToks, or drop-shipping whatever. And here is the punchline – five “income streams” do not add to financial security. It adds to the burnout. A full-time income and budget skills still matter until you can stabilize and grow your side hustle one after the other.
Mistaking “Manifesting” for a Career Plan
The vision boards are cute, but they do not replace résumés. Gen Z really thinks that expression can give them jobs. No shade, but sometimes the only “universe” that matters is LinkedIn.
Thinking Cooking = Content Creation
Some Gen Z cooks for vibes and aesthetics only. Cloud bread, frothed coffee, pink pasta – all material for TikTok. But when it comes to actual nutrition? Yeah, it is missing. Adulting is having protein and, yes, those vegetables, not rainbow bagels for every meal.
Believing Insurance Is a Scam
Health insurance, car insurance – Most Gen Zers hates them all. But when life hits (and it will), this one’s scary. A lot of Gen Z will risk a $20,000 ER bill but would not skip their $8 boba order. It’s not fun money, but it’s grown-up money. Skipping it? That’s reckless.
Thinking You’ll Always Love Your First Apartment
They imagine fairy lights, aesthetic TikTok corners, and endless iced coffee runs. Reality check? Your first apartment will have thin walls, a strange smell, and a landlord who ghosts you like a bad date. This is a rite to pass – not a Pinterest board. Enjoy chaos. One day, you will laugh about bathing with a flip-flop.
Assuming Everything Will Always Be Affordable
Gen Z grew up thinking that Netflix was $7.99 and Starbucks lattes were $3. Surprise. Prices change. There is inflation. Being a grown-up means learning how to adjust, cut back, and get used to things – not posting rage-tweets every 5 minutes about it.
Thinking “Moving Out” Means Instant Freedom
Moving out is so much independence until you’re Googling “Can I survive on cereal for dinner?” Independence comes with costs – cleaning, cooking, and fixing your Wi-Fi at midnight yourself. You will miss the refrigerator of your parents. And you know it in your heart.
Assuming Adulthood Comes With a Manual
Gen Z is so starved for guidance on how to do it all, but the truth is: nobody knows. Your parents didn’t. Your boss doesn’t. Adulthood is basically improv with bills. The trick is to just keep going, keep learning, and know that chaos is part of the whole package deal.
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Annoying Words That Are Overused by Gen Z
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