‘Darling, don’t you ever grow up’: Good laughs for anyone trying to opt out of adulting today

Author image for Giuliana Tiscioni
Giuliana Tiscioni • Writer
Jul 19, 2026 8:30 AM EDT

When you were a teenager, did you ever have the thought, "I wish I were just an adult already! Then my life could really start?' It's okay, we all thought once and now as an adult, well… We understand our mistakes.

Being an adult is not as glamorous as sitcoms made us believe when we were teenagers. Life is not about going to big, sophisticated parties (Carrie Bradshaw, this is your fault) or hanging out at your friend's house every afternoon (I'm looking at you, Friends). Those two things hardly ever happen, and if you want to get together with your homies, you have to plan it at least a month in advance. We were lied to! We were robbed of an excellent, fun, and free adulthood story arc.

That's the word we all thought of when we were younger: "Free." We associated adulthood with the freedom to do whatever we wanted. Oh, how wrong we were. Strictly speaking, yes, legally and morally, you have the freedom to live your life without asking permission from your parents or anyone else. But soon enough you find out that freedom is conditioned. You're free to buy whatever you want, only as long as you work and have the money to buy it. You can eat anything you like, as long as you have the time to cook and exercise. So yes, as an adult, everything has a condition. 

It's a shock to your newly developed mental system when you realize most of your time is spent working, grocery shopping, cleaning, and cooking. And, oh yes, doing taxes. 

Adulting is inevitable. Years pass, and we have to put on our big-girl/boy pants. There comes a time when we have to step up and take charge of our lives and responsibilities. It's not the most fun in the world, but it is necessary. I tell my younger teen cousins all the time to enjoy the stage of life they're at. I know it's a cliché, but it's true. Childhood was a lovely time full of dreams and fantasies. And many others miss their adolescence, also a lovely era of discovery. 

For those of us in the thralls of "intro to adulthood," these memes will make you laugh and help you get through the day. And for those of you who are not, oh boy, buckle up for a ride.

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relatable memes responsibilities never grow up adulting is hard adulting growing up Memes adulting memes adulthood adult children young adult
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