How Do You Adult?

"Adulting" is a tough hill to climb for Millenials and Gen Z. Most in these generations struggle with feeling like they are truly an adult. So what things does one need to do to really achieve adulthood? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss on this first episode of 2023.

Below are the list of things we advise you to do to be an adult, with the resources we mention in the episode.

1. Workout three times a week

• According to the CDC (How much physical activity do adults need?), you should be exercising 150 hours a week, or 30 minutes a day for five days a week.
• https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm
• CDC.Gov “Benefits of Physical activity” 
• https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm

2. Cook most of your own meals

- It’s tastier, it’s healthier, it’s cheaper. https://medium.com/@kevin18lee/3-reasons-why-you-should-cook-your-own-meals-1142ce292fad

3. Eat healthily 

4. Read one book a month

• According to a Pew Research study, the typical American has read 5 books in the past 12 months, while 75% have read at least one book. The average is 12 or 14 if you include the avid bookworms. 
• https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/01/06/three-in-ten-americans-now-read-e-books/

5. Be financially independent

6. Live below your means (be financially stable)

7.  Regularly build savings 

8. Work in your preferred field/get paid to do what you want to do

9. Have good credit

• According to the Forbes article “What Is A Good Credit Score?” a good credit score is at least a 700.
• https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-score/what-is-a-good-credit-score/

10. Have three close, long-term friends

-According to the Survey Center on American Life, Americans today have fewer friends and talk to them less often than they did 30 years ago. In 1990, less than one-third (27 percent) said they had three or fewer close friends, while today that number is close to half (49 percent).

- The Washington Post Piece, Americans Are Choosing To Be Alone

- Psychology Today’s The Dangers of Loneliness. 

11. Be in a long-term committed relationship (or have chosen willingly to be single)

• The Atlantic: “The Happiness Recession”
• https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/04/happiness-recession-causing-sex-depression/586405/

12. Are hygienic (take showers, brush teeth, etc)

13. Keep a relatively clean, organized living space

• According to Elite Daily, studies show that having a clean room makes you happier, sleep better, makes you more likely to exercise, and makes you feel positive and accomplished. 
• https://www.elitedaily.com/wellness/cleaning-your-room-important-for-your-health/1466353

14. Give a portion of your income or time to charitable causes

15. Travel out of state (or country) once a year

16. Get yearly medical checkups

17. Get semi-regular counseling/therapy (mental health)

18. Maintain familial relationships (if possible/healthy)

• The Atlantic: “A Shift in Family Values Is Fueling Estrangement”
• https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/01/why-parents-and-kids-get-estranged/617612/
• The Atlantic: “The Nuclear Family Was A Mistake”
• https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/03/the-nuclear-family-was-a-mistake/605536/