'HR is NOT on your side': 30+ adulting moments that are the grown up versions of learning Santa Claus isn't real

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Nov 5, 2023 4:00 PM EST

Everyone has those unfortunate moments during childhood when you learn something isn't true. For many kids, it's the discovery that a heavy bearded fellow in a red suit doesn't dive down everyone's chimneys annually to give gifts. It's one of those fantasies that you wonder in hindsight how you believed that nonsense in the first place. Well, while we speak a lot about kids becoming disillusioned, no one ever really talks about the upsetting discoveries you have during adulthood. 

We're talking about those realizations that life in your twenties is not like a sitcom. In fact, it's really hard to afford the bare minimum, no one is dateable, and your life ends up being full of commitments you want to get out of and existential crises you want to avoid. Based on the responses from this r/AskReddit thread, there are a lot of contenders for the adult version of learning Santa Claus isn't real. Keep scrolling below to see for yourself. When you're done, here are some top Tinder moments of the week!

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  • 01
    r/AskReddit . Posted by u/Just_Surround_2108 4 days ago What is the adult version of finding out that Santa Claus doesn't exist?
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  • 02
    LeeroyTC 4 days ago . Finding out that "reaching retirement" is about hitting a financial number and not reaching an age. 27.3k Reply Share
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  • 03
    Falkjaer 4 days ago . Also finding out that this financial target is much harder to reach than you were lead to believe, and it gets worse every year. 10.2k Reply Share
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  • 04
    Papooof4 4 days ago Finding out that someone you have looked up to and admired your entire life is actually a horrible person. 23.6k Reply Share
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  • 05
    Fazi9090 4 days ago Sometimes there is no justice. 18.4k ↓ Reply Share
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  • 06
    DorianOrosco. 4 days ago Being a hard worker and good at your job doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be rewarded for it. 15.8k Reply Share
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  • 07
    throwmeawaypoopy. 4 days ago When you buy an 8- piece tupperware set, 4 of the pieces are lids. 14.8k ↓ Reply Share
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  • 08
    ThingFromEarth. 4 days ago $500 isn't a lot of money ✩ 12.6k Reply Share
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  • 09
    Kangaroowrangler_02. 4 days ago That some friends were never really your friend. 12.5k Reply Share
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  • 10
    Borsti17 4 days ago I thought I'd grow up, move out, find my footing in the grown up world and basically switch into cruise mode. Now I'm in my 40s and O is confusing as f. 12.1k Reply Share
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  • 11
    Raan6969 4 days ago One dumb mistake and it could all be over. 7.2k ↓ Reply Share
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  • 12
    Yoga_and_Cats . 4 days ago When I was a kid I thought adults had everything figured out and couldn't wait to grow up so I could be like them. HAH. ↑ 6.7k ↓ Reply Share
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  • 13
    Individual-Fail4709. 4 days ago That working harder does not equal getting paid more or being promoted. ↑ 6.6k ↓ Reply Share
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  • 14
    Fluid Program_5369. 4 days ago For me it was realizing the high school mindset in people never ends see it in 60 yr olds in Facebook now ↑ 6.4k ↓ Reply Share
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  • 15
    Ok_Arm2201. 4 days ago That going to college and getting a 9-5 wasn't going to be the fun, creative, latte-filled experience rom coms would have you believe. 6.0k Reply Share
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  • 16
    AwezMush 4 days ago Realising that no, we can't have McDonald's, coz there is food in the freezer. 5.7k Reply Share
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  • 17
    Smile_Terrible. 4 days ago That time period when your relationship switches and your parent looks to you for answers and advice, instead them being the one with all the answers. ✩ 5.4k ↓ Reply Share
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  • 18
    Blind Wolf 4 days ago Working full time and being too drained to chase your actual dream 4.6k Reply Share
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  • 19
    Personal-Listen-4941. 4 days ago You never actually feel like the adult 4.1k Reply Share
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  • 20
    DinkandDrunk. 4 days ago When you realize basically everyone is just faking it til they make it. ↑ 4.0k ↓ Reply Share
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  • 21
    - 45 BOM tamammothchuk 4 days ago Finding out that your parents are people, too, with weaknesses or flaws that you were blind to when you were young. 3.2k Reply Share
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  • 22
    MacMemo81 4 days ago . There are no hot singles in your area. 2.0k Reply Share
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  • 23
    gregsmith0814. 4 days ago HR is NOT on your side. 1.9k Reply Share
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  • 24
    Samar9034 4 days ago Realisation that your parents are not as smart as you once thought. ↑ 1.8k ↓ Reply Share
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  • 25
    RecluseGamer. 4 days ago That your boss probably didn't get where they are because they did your job well. ✩ 1.7k Reply Share
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  • 26
    Sweet Chance_5592. 4 days ago Finding out people without empathy exist. And they are hard to pin down - even after many years of exposure to them. 1.6k Reply Share
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  • 27
    Mysterious MrSquatch 4 days ago Christmas Bonuses almost NEVER exist. Worse fantasy than the clause... 1.5k Reply Share
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  • 28
    gofigure85 4 days ago As a millenial, I was raised to believe that going to college and getting a degree would guarantee me a good future job that would allow me to live comfortably 1.5k Reply Share
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  • 29
    Maan9034 4 days ago Realizing you'll probably never have the, "aha," moment that tells you what you want to do with your life and you'd better just pick the least depressing choice. 1.5k Reply Share
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  • 30
    Party_Chemistry_8961 4 days ago When you finish eating your dinner and there is no magical person to wash the dishes and you have to wash them yourself. 1.3k Reply Share
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  • 31
    Quentin Tarantulatino 4 days ago A bachelor's degree is not a coupon redeemable for one (1) full-time job in your field of choice after graduation. 873 Reply Share
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FAILS christmas adulting millennials askreddit parenting santa santa claus reddit thread Reddit funny holidays happy holidays
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