While I am by no means an expert in this study or field, I do know a thing or two from personal experience, outside sources, and observation. Becoming an adult and thriving in the real world might look different for each person depending on location, personality, age, race, gender, past experience, or disabilities (both physical and mental) while most of these should not contribute too much of a difference.
One of the many vital attributes to thrive as an adult to keep in mind are that it is important to keep a routine (or at least close to routine) schedule. This helps you put less thought into what your day will look like, and it gives you more of a chance to focus on other stresses, problems, or situations that you have to deal with currently. While I understand the stress is not easy, working on some of these smaller issues will help you focus and get back on track to getting what you need to get done.
Everyone's routine will look a little different depending on work schedules or when they feel that they need sleep or food. Routines and schedules could be as detailed or simple as possible. While I have found that the more detailed the schedule is the better it is, this is not the case for everyone. In fact, some people thrive with the basics. It is important to include everything that you need to get done because if you begin a routine or schedule and you forget to make time for things that will need to get done such as cleaning or showering, your life would feel incomplete and chaotic. It is also important to remember that it is okay to allow time for a break. It is alright to allow half an hour to an hour a day for some 'fun time' whether that be scrolling through Facebook or Instagram, or taking the time to read blogs like mine. Yet, the goal to be a successful human in society is to not waste too much time doing such things.
Another good idea to this scheduling plan is to have multiple different types of schedules available. For example, I mentioned earlier that cleaning is important to remember. While places like the kitchen or bathroom should be cleaned at least weekly, and places like your bedroom should be cleaned daily, some places get forgotten about such as the inside of a refrigerator, or a garage. These routine cleanings would be added to a monthly calendar, or a yearly calendar if one of those is created. Yet, sometimes there are hours or days full of so many specific and detailed events that it helps to have a daily and a weekly schedule. Every person is different and should find something that works for them.
I have found that more than just schedules help me. Lists are something that helps me get all my thoughts put together. When I am able to create a to-do list for the day at the beginning of the day, I am able to see how fast I am able to get tasks done. I am able to prioritize the most important ones first without concerning myself about the smaller ones getting forgotten.
Yet another important attribute is making sure to maintain a healthy diet. This includes keeping fit and exercising as often as possible. Your life could be going smoothly on every level except for health and you could be heading downhill. Health now will help you later. It is essential to keep that all in mind.
While dieting is another fad that is gaining popularity all over the internet and social media over the past few years, it is important to remember that every diet is different, and most diets don't work. Based on the studying that I have been able to do, the amount of food someone eats is calculated based on their weight, height, age, and gender among other things. Yet, there is never one food that should be totally removed from a diet unless someone is allergic or has developed an intolerance to it. Everything should be consumed in moderation, though.
Exercise is still important, as well. Yet, unlike what most sources seem to tell you, there is much you can do without having to go to a gym. There are lists of exercises you can do in your room without any equipment. Even something as simple as choosing to take the stairs instead of the elevator to your work will count as exercise compared to sitting around not doing anything. It is better to get up and get moving than to sit or lay around not doing anything.
Health goes farther than just what you eat or what you do for exercise. Caring for your body is another important attribute to the overall health of you as a person. I wrote an article a few months ago titled "How To: Care For Yourself" which mentions many ways that make this possible.
A third attribute that needs to not go forgotten is enough sleep. This one has often gone ignored until recent events. This also seems to be going more ignored because it is talked about so much. This is especially harder for the younger adult population that want to stay up late and party all night. While not everyone needs the same amount of sleep, most doctors recommend about seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
While some will find that they have the freedom to sleep in until 8 a.m. so they chose to stay up until midnight, most successful people have found that they work on heading to bed about 9pm so they get up earlier. It is best, no matter what time you go to bed, to have your devices off for about two hours before you go to bed. Many people have found that reading before bed helps reduce stress and helps the brain focus on resting for the night. There are so many books people could choose to read including self-help books or books about a topic that interests you. Yet, I have found that reading my Bible helps me finish off the day with the right mindset. It has also been mentioned that it helps people to journal their thoughts and events of the day for an hour or so before they go to bed. I personally try to do this one as often as possible. Considering I have a blog, I do not mind writing. I actually enjoy being able to get all my emotions expressed on paper (whether that be digital or not). When the time is taken to a journal, the emotional journey and progress of maturity can be shown. It is also interesting to be able to look back at what life used to look like. Sometimes a memory of an event comes back into your mind and you are able to find the journal article posted that can explain all the information about it and the date of when exactly it happened. Journaling is such a good thing in so many ways.
The earlier you go to bed the earlier you can get up. Most successful people are up by 5 at the latest. They get working as soon as they can because they understand that in the business world there is much that has already started all around the world when you are sleeping in. They understand the more time they take resting or sleeping the night away, the less time they have to work on the important work that needs to be done for the business to succeed. There are even a few young adults and teenagers that have been able to tap into this process and take the early morning to work on personal time. If your work does not call you in that early, you could take that time to meditate. Because I am a Christian, I chose to read my Bible and pray during this time. Allowing your brain this time to slow down, take a few deep breaths, and prepare for the day ahead often helps make the day go better as you are able to head into it with the right mindset.
While this does not guarantee that you will be successful or have a perfect life, I have found that keeping a schedule, staying healthy, and sleeping really helps me do my best in the day throughout everything else. Don't overwork, but don't underwork yourself either.
