We all remember what it was like to go out on our own for the first time. The world was our oyster and we could be the ones in charge of our destinies and in control of our fortunes.
It's a liberating feeling. It's also utterly terrifying. But everything is easier if you have someone to counsel you.
Thanks to Redditor JNobes11, who asked the online community, "What is an important piece of advice you can give for those moving into the “real world"?" those next up for adulthood have some valuable advice they can use as they see fit.
"If something is too good to be true..."
If something is too good to be true it probably is. People will try to take advantage of you, and you'll probably fall for it sometimes. It's how you learn, don't be too down on yourself, just learn from it and move on.
"It will not be your fault."
GiphyThere will be someone who will hate your guts for no particular reason, even if you are friendly with them, or even more so. It will not be your fault.
"Be careful about burning bridges..."
The real world is actually really small. Be careful of burning bridges because you'd be surprised how easy it is to run into someone years and years after you last saw them.
"Never stop learning."
Never stop learning.
Keep up with your old hobbies and interests, and pick up new ones. Takes classes, free ones and pay for those you can afford. Join groups for people with your interests so you can learn from them and learn from teaching them.
"Take a few seconds..."
Don't just react to things. Think critically. Take a few seconds to analyze situations and come up with conclusions. Always be self-aware and never let people use your emotions against you.
"Learn to save and budget..."
Look after your teeth because they are expensive to fix, toothpaste, a good toothbrush and dental floss are cheap so use them well. Look after your credit rating, it is difficult to fix when it goes wrong and also remember that things do go wrong so perhaps have a small contingency available if you can. Learn to save and budget so you know how much you can use and save comfortably. Be good to yourself and look after mental health.
"Just a quick daily check..."
GiphyEven though money goes in and out of your account automatically doesn't mean you never have to look at your bank account. Just a quick daily check of your balance and spendings will keep you out of a lot of troubles.
"On the other hand..."
The intensity of your social life will likely change - and this is mostly a good thing, but be prepared for it.
Being outside of school means you are free from a lot of the weird drama that comes with doing everything in a closed system with roughly the same people. There is still drama, but you can almost always escape it because your life is divided now. You don't live with all your friends and work with them.
On the other hand, making new social connections is a new challenge because you aren't thrown into a closed system with people all at your stage of life with many of the same problems. But making friends definitely happens. For me, wherever I was in life, it always took me about one year to make one new close friend. Patience is key. I would say you make fewer social connections, but a lot of them are of higher quality.
A last piece of advice, don't view work as your only source, or even your primary source, for friends, dates, and hook-ups. Try to keep part of your social life separate.
"Being respectful and polite..."
It's ok to say no.
It's just a job, there will be others.
Don't try fitting in if it requires you to break your personal values.
Being respectful and polite is cool.
"Don't waste your time..."
Don't waste your time worrying if you can help it. It just drags you down and makes you weaker. Hit the gym when you can, boy will it make you feel better. And smile. Make a conscious effort to smiling more. It'll be reciprocated and it will make you feel good.