- (Usually humorous or slightly self-deprecating) The act of behaving like a responsible adult, especially by completing mundane but necessary tasks associated with independent life (e.g., paying bills, doing laundry, cooking, going to work).
Explanation
Origin
- Emerged as internet slang around the early 2010s, primarily used by Millennials and later Gen Z.
- It treats adult as a verb, highlighting the perceived difficulty, novelty, or drudgery of performing routine adult responsibilities, often contrasting with the perceived freedom of youth.
- It reflects a cultural moment of acknowledging the challenges of transitioning into and maintaining independent adulthood.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Getting my shit together (More vulgar, implies organizing one's life)
- Handling biz (Short for business)
- Real life stuff
More Formal/Neutral:
- Managing responsibilities
- Household chores
- Financial management
Expressing Difficulty:
- The struggle is real (Often accompanies adulting)
- It's a grind
Situational Appropriateness
- Strictly informal. Primarily used among peers, especially younger generations.
- Can sound juvenile or unprofessional in formal or workplace settings. Avoid using it with older generations who might not appreciate the implication that basic responsibility is noteworthy or difficult.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- The term is often used humorously or ironically. Don't mistake it for a serious claim of major achievement (usually).
- Be mindful of the audience; using it with older people might come across as immature.
Examples
- I actually cooked a proper meal and paid my bills on time today. #Adulting
- Adulting is hard; sometimes I just want to build a pillow fort.
- Managed to assemble the IKEA furniture without crying. Peak adulting.
Dialogue
Liam: What did you do this weekend?
Sophie: Oh, you know, the usual excitement. Laundry, grocery shopping, figuring out my taxes... basically, just adulting.
Liam: Haha, sounds thrilling! I spent Saturday cleaning the bathroom. High five for responsibility?
Sophie: High five. Adulting fist bump.
Social Media Examples
- Just successfully scheduled a dentist appointment all by myself. I deserve an adulting award. 🏆 #adulting #smallwins
- Spent Sunday meal prepping for the week. Look at me adulting! #mealprep #responsibility
- Why did no one tell me adulting mostly involved emails and wondering what to have for dinner? #adultingishard
Response Patterns
- Ugh, I know the feeling.
- Haha, welcome to the club!
- You got this!
- The struggle is real.
- Good job! (Often slightly patronizingly, matching the term's tone)
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone mentions adulting:
- Share a similar recent adulting struggle or success.
- Offer commiseration or encouragement.
- Ask lightheartedly: What amazing feat of adult responsibility did you accomplish?.
Conversation Starter
- Not usually a direct opener, but common in relatable social media posts or casual conversations about daily life, especially struggles or mundane tasks.
Intonation
- Often said with a sigh, a sense of minor accomplishment, or irony. Stress can be on A or dult. a-DULT-ing or A-dulting.
Generation Differences
- Strongly associated with Millennials and Gen Z.
- Often viewed with amusement or mild annoyance by older generations (Gen X, Boomers), who may see these tasks as simply normal life, not requiring a special term.
Regional Variations
- Widely understood in major English-speaking regions due to internet culture. Originated primarily in the US.