Man Enjoying Ice Cream for Dinner

Ah, adulthood. That magical phase of life where we were told we’d have freedom, independence, and, most importantly, the ability to eat ice cream for dinner if we wanted. But what they didn’t tell us is that with all that freedom comes a whirlwind of responsibilities and chaos that often leaves us questioning, “Am I even doing this right?!”

You’ve got bills to pay, groceries to buy, work to do, social obligations, and—oh wait, was that the sound of your alarm going off at 6 a.m. for the fifth time? Congratulations! You’ve officially hit snooze enough to make you late, again. Welcome to the ridiculous, messy, and utterly hilarious world of being a “functional” adult. Buckle up—this blog is your crash course in laughing through the struggle.


Alarm Clock
Photo Courtesy of Feelart Feelant

1. The Never-Ending Battle with Your Alarm Clock

Let’s start with mornings. More specifically, let’s talk about waking up—because clearly, the universe has some sort of vendetta against our bodies when it comes to the concept of “getting out of bed.”

Here’s the thing: the moment the alarm goes off, it’s like we enter an alternate reality where time no longer makes sense. Five minutes of snooze feels like five seconds, and yet, when you glance at the clock after hitting snooze for the fourth time, somehow 45 minutes have magically disappeared. Who knew mornings could be so deceitful?

And when you finally do get out of bed, you’re greeted by another challenge: finding a pair of socks that actually match. It’s 2024. We can send people to space, but matching socks? Apparently, that’s where humanity draws the line.


Person Pouring Coffee in a Cup
Photo Courtesy of <strong>lood Goosen<strong>

2. Coffee: The Savior of My Soul

No adulting blog would be complete without paying homage to the one thing that keeps us all from spiraling into a pit of despair by 9 a.m.: coffee. It’s more than a beverage. It’s a life force, a daily ritual, a holy experience.

But the struggle doesn’t stop at making the coffee. Oh no, that’s just the beginning. Have you ever brewed a fresh cup, only to forget it on the counter as you rush out the door? By the time you remember, it’s either cold or has mysteriously vanished, and you’re left wondering, “Did I drink it? Did I imagine drinking it? Is the coffee haunting me?”

Pro tip: Don’t leave home without a backup caffeine source. You never know when a misplaced cup of coffee will try to sabotage your day.


Man and Woman Looking at Bills
Photo Courtesy of <strong>mikhail Nilov<strong>

3. Bills, Bills, Bills: Beyoncé Lied to Us

Remember when you were a kid, and you thought paying bills was as simple as writing a check? Well, fast forward to today, and you’ve got an inbox full of emails from utility companies that sound more like passive-aggressive reminders from a frenemy.

They’re all like, “Hey, just a heads up—your electricity is due in three days. No pressure, but if you forget, you’ll be living in the dark.” Thanks, electricity provider. Real subtle.

And don’t even get me started on the emotional rollercoaster that is checking your bank account after paying all those bills. One minute, you’re confident that you’re in control, and the next, you’re realizing that the only thing in your fridge is half a bottle of ketchup and a suspicious-looking yogurt.


Man Sitting in Buggy
Photo Courtesy of <strong>edward<strong>

4. Grocery Shopping: The Hunger Games

Speaking of food—let’s talk about grocery shopping. Why is it that we go into the store with the purest of intentions, fully prepared to make healthy choices, and yet somehow leave with a cart full of snacks we didn’t even know existed?

It’s like you walk in thinking, “Today, I’m going to be an adult and meal prep for the week!” Then you black out in the snack aisle and emerge with three bags of chips, a tub of ice cream, and a novelty-sized jar of Nutella. You’ll rationalize it by saying, “I deserve this,” and honestly? You do.

But nothing beats the joy of bringing home your groceries and realizing you forgot the ONE thing you actually went to the store for in the first place. Do you need eggs for that recipe? Too bad. You’ll be having spaghetti for the fourth time this week instead.


Woman Cooking on a Stove
Photo Courtesy of <strong>wilson Rodriguez<strong>

5. Cooking: Or, How to Set Off Your Smoke Alarm in 5 Minutes or Less

Cooking at home is one of those “adult” things we’re supposed to be good at by now. And yet, every time I step into the kitchen, it’s like I’m trying to defuse a bomb. There’s chopping, sautéing, boiling, and then, inevitably, the smoke detector starts blaring like I’ve summoned the fire department with my culinary incompetence.

But let’s be real: cooking a full meal on a weeknight is a Herculean task. Between the grocery list, the prep, and the actual cooking, it’s no wonder half of us end up ordering pizza instead. You know what’s easier than making dinner? Typing “pepperoni” into the DoorDash app. (And no, I’m not ashamed.)


Photo of Dirty Laundry
Photo Courtesy of <strong>vitalina<strong>

6. Laundry: The Never-Ending Saga

Laundry is the bane of every adult’s existence. It starts off simple enough—throw clothes in the wash, right? Wrong. Because now you have to figure out where all your socks go, why your favorite shirt came out two sizes smaller, and how you ended up with a new collection of mismatched Tupperware lids that weren’t there before.

The real kicker? Folding laundry. I’m convinced that no matter how many times you fold a fitted sheet, it’s just going to unfold itself in the drawer, laughing at you from its cozy little heap of rebellion.

If you’ve ever let a pile of laundry sit on the couch for so long that it becomes an official member of the family, you’re in good company.


Woman Looking at Her Cell Phone
Photo Courtesy of <strong>karolina Kaboompics<strong>

7. Work Emails: The “Fun” Never Stops

Let’s switch gears and talk about work emails. There’s nothing quite like the joy of finishing your workday, logging off, and getting hit with the classic “Just one more thing” email from your boss at 5:01 p.m. Because apparently, boundaries are optional when it comes to email etiquette.

And don’t even get me started on trying to sound professional in emails when you’re just so done with life. You’ll end up typing something like: “Per my last email…” which is adult code for “If you don’t read what I sent you the first time, so help me…”


Woman on an Exercise Machine
Photo Courtesy of <strong>jonathan Borba<strong>

8. Exercise: Or, Why I Pretend My Gym Membership is for Decoration

Exercise is one of those things that we all know we should do, but does anyone actually enjoy it? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against those people who go to the gym at 5 a.m. like they’re auditioning for the next Marvel movie. But for the rest of us, it’s more like: Do I really want to run on a treadmill when I could binge-watch another episode of my favorite show?

The worst part is that even if you do muster the energy to hit the gym, you’re met with the cruel reality of how out of shape you are. Five minutes on the elliptical, and suddenly, you’re questioning every life decision that led you here. And don’t get me started on yoga—I thought it was supposed to be relaxing, but it’s really just a test of how long you can pretend you don’t want to collapse.


Person on a Mobile Calendar
Photo Courtesy of <strong>cottonbro Studio<strong>

9. Social Obligations: When Did My Calendar Become a Maze?

As if life wasn’t chaotic enough, let’s throw in a few social obligations to really spice things up. Whether it’s birthday parties, baby showers, or random after-work drinks, it seems like every weekend is booked solid. And don’t even try to say “no,” because apparently, once you’re an adult, “no” is code for “I don’t care about your friendship.”

The trickiest part? Trying to remember everyone’s names and life stories at these events. I once had an entire conversation with someone, nodding and smiling like I knew who they were, only to realize halfway through that I had absolutely no idea. Oops.


Man Standing on a Stool Juggling Fire
Photo Courtesy of <strong>ronê Ferreira<strong>

10. The Never-Ending Quest for Balance

Finally, let’s talk about the ultimate adulting struggle: balance. You’re supposed to juggle work, social life, health, finances, personal growth, and relaxation all at once. It’s like being in a never-ending circus where you’re the clown, and all your responsibilities are on fire.

And the most ironic part? Everyone’s acting like they’ve got it all figured out while we’re all just trying to keep from tripping over our own feet. The truth is, nobody has a clue what they’re doing, and that’s okay. Life is messy, unpredictable, and often downright hilarious.


People Acting Silly
Photo Courtesy of <strong>cottonbro Studio<strong>

In Conclusion: Adulting Is Hard, But We’re All in This Together

So there you have it—the ridiculously funny, not-so-glamorous reality of being a functional adult. Sure, we’ll keep hitting snooze, forget groceries, burn dinner, and let laundry pile up until it reaches Mount Everest status. But here’s the secret no one tells you: we’re all winging it.

Adulthood isn’t about perfection; it’s about figuring things out as you go, laughing at your own ridiculousness, and knowing that no one has all the answers. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by bills, two-factor authentication failures, or just the concept of wearing pants (and maybe a bra) every day—remember, you’re not alone. We’re all in this chaotic, beautiful mess together, and at the end of the day, that’s what makes it so hilariously relatable.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a load of laundry to re-wash for the third time and an email I’ve been ignoring since last Tuesday. Welcome to adulthood—it’s a bumpy ride, but at least we can laugh our way through it!

AdultingFails #RealLifeAdulting #AdultingIsHard #ModernLifeStruggles #WhyIsLaundrySoHard #BillsAndChills #CookingDisasters #GroceryStoreMadness #RelatableAF #FunctionalAdult #LifeInShambles #MillennialHumor #AdulthoodIsWild #LaughThroughTheStruggles #DailyChaos

author avatar
Dorey Duncan Scott Senior Litigation Paralegal
Hi! I’m Dorey Duncan Scott, a mother of three, wife and fashion entrepreneur. I started my career in fashion back in the early 90’s when I did print, still and runway modeling. I studied Fashion Merchandising, Music Business and Marketing, while also obtaining certificates in such industry-necessary areas such as make-up, styling and runway choreography. In addition, I had work as a spokesmodel for several brands, appearing in print and in person. As a former model, turned senior litigation paralegal, artist manager and on-air personality with a passion for fashion, beauty, and personal development, I bring a unique combination of style, strategic thinking, and legal expertise to my work. My years navigating the legal world have sharpened my attention to detail, while my experience and passion for fashion, beauty, and personal development drives my desire to help others feel empowered and help them in their journey toward self-empowerment. My experience in the fashion world has taught me the power of confidence. 
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