First of all sorry if there is already a thread like this but I haven't seen one. Anyway I have been thinking a lot about the future lately and I realized I am going to be an adult in a year and I am both super excited and scared out of my mind over this,I mean my life is going great right now I have a steady job with a grocery store I'm getting AA degree through this program that my high school has and me and my girlfriend have been dating for almost a year and we are still going strong so I'm not sure why I'm scared about being an adult  but I am and sometimes when I cant sleep I almost start panicking about it. Is this normal for a guy my age (17 years old)? And how do/ did you guys feel about growing up I'd really like to hear about your experiences anyway thanks for taking the time to read all of this.

I completely understand this situation. I'm only 15, and I worry about growing up constantly. The way I deal with this is think of me and everything I've been through in the past years of my life, and reflect on the things I have done, both good and bad. I tell myself that I can try my best to be the best I can be. This is how I deal with this kind of problem.

Oddly the anxiety of growing up didn't hit me until after it had happened. Then one day I realized I was an adult and it was time to embrace it and change.

As for how to deal with it: you can't just make the anxiety go away, or at least I couldn't. All you can do is embrace the changes. Don't look at it as leaving all you know and are comfortable behind, look at it as embracing a new experience that you've been preparing for all of your life. And when you stop and realize that you actually have been preparing all of your life for this, then you can know that you are ready. And you are, man. It's scary at times (hey, I still get scared by it and I'm twenty eight) but you are ready. You're doing well in school, and you have a steady job, not to mention it sounds as though you can handle a real relationship which isn't always easy, so I'd say you can definitely look forward to the experience ahead of you with confidence. It isn't as frightening as it seems all in all, and it can be very rewarding.

Hope this helps, man.

I moved out 2 days after my 18th birthday, and I absolutely loved it for the first few weeks. I didn't have to care about waking up anyone coming home late, I didn't have to worry about bringing people to my place or anything like that. My house, my rules. But, with that invites responsibility, you don't realize how much certain things cost until you actually have to go out there and buy them. Toothpaste, shampoo, razers, laundry detergent, INTERNET, etc are all things you don't really think much of when you live at home with your parents. Luckily for me, I wasn't too high maintenance, I was able to live off of $20 a week for food, but not everyone is like that.

My roommate at the time (worst roommate I've ever had), spent well over $150 on food and was always running out and tried to even eat my food a few times. Just a word of advice, if you plan on living on a residence for your college experience your first year (highly recommended), don't let the school pick your roommate. They like to think that their system is good for picking the perfect roommate for you, but everyone, and I mean EVERYONE lies on those things and it f***s everything up.

All in all its a terrifying experience, but it shapes you as a human being whether you're not ready for it is up to you, and you only. I loved the freedom, but at the same time having to struggle to have food on my plate wasn't the best. Are you planning on going to school next year or are you going to be working for a year+?

Well to be honest you will not like it at first. But then in time you will and learn to deal with it as well. Growing up is not as bad as youngsters may claim for it to be. Its like another journey but in a big way. We all grow older by each year so it depends if you really want to truly grow up to be this mature and successful adult. Or if you want to keep on being a child forever. Even if it wouldn't help you so much in life. '-' 

It sucks. A lot, but it has its perks and is for the best. So far, I hate it, I really just wish I could be back in high school, but the things that I have done over the last couple of years while I was really grown up has really changed means that's a good thing. There's terrible moments of uncertainty and doom, but for the most part growing up comes along with some great moments and changes as well.

I honestly could not wait to "grow up." I was a lone wolf, had no real friends and did not even feel close to my relatives. It took a toll on me in late high school; from first in the class I became pretty average and missed a few assignments.

But now at age 32 I am (almost) completely happy. I am out of my parents' house, I have been in a happy relationship for over 9 years and I am in the best shape of my life. I could probably use a steadier job / find more freelancing opportunities, but that detail is rather minor at the moment.

Believe me, despite the increased responsibilities growing up is much better.

unpro27 :   I couldn't wait to grow up and get out of my parents house when I was young, and I'm sure they felt the same, but in hindsight, I almost wish I could go back to those days of no rent, bills, free food, internet, not having to have a job.  I am 34 years old now, and eventually you get used to the responsibilities of every day life.  I have to say that it does give you a sense of accomplishment in knowing that it can be done.  You have the freedom to do as you wish in your own home, with your own money that you worked your butt off for.  I think it is worth it in the long run, so I would forward to it.  It can be kind of scary at first, but you will grow into it.  Enjoy life while it lasts

I find the whole anxiety about growing up really...not for me.
I never got it. Yeah, I'm growing up. I'm a year younger than you, but I don't feel like it's a big deal. Live in the moment. Don't worry about the future. Hell, even 18 is still young. 21 is also pretty young. Don't worry *as* much about it. It's gonna happen. It's just the course of time.

Thanks everyone after reading about all that and hearing almost all of you say that it is scary but worth it helps and
Domdof : I plan on finishing my degree while working and then take a break for a year to save up money and then go back to get my bachelors

I feel like people shouldn't worry so much about growing up.
Just because you reach a certain age, you shouldn't be expected to do or not do certain things or like or dislike certain things.

Getting older does suck. You have more responsibility, bills coming in, and different expectations. 
Do the things you need to do but never stop doing the things you love to do.

Vanelan : exactly this. 27 (28 next month) and i still play video games all the time (to those who still say video games are only for kids nowadays: you are idiots), watch anime, workout with a dumbbell i have and do whatever i like pretty much.

only thing i see worth worrying over in regards to getting older is the inevitable end that awaits us all. i don't really care about that though since theres no preventing it in the end.

treos : The "inevitable end" is all the more reason to have more fun, right?

I do not fear to grow up... I mean yeah it's going to suck but I am already 20 years old and I love it. It's weird thinking time has passed by this fast but we only have one life right? Live it to the fullest and do the things you love to do no matter how old you are.

lordbelial669 : Yes, responsibilities and bills can be a big hassle, especially when money seems short. Fortunately, most larger areas have services that can help - food banks are a big boon for us, considering how much I eat. Also, I honestly prefer to dress a little and sleep in a cold room than wake up in heavy sweat (it happens too much for my taste) in a warmer room.

unpro27 : Ignore everyone who said growing up sucks or they hate it.  They aren't taking advantage of life.  And turning 18 doesn't suddenly turn you into an adult.  If you're still at home with your parents, still eating their food, still hanging out and not doing anything with your life, you're not an adult.

Adulthood means you're taking responsibility for developing yourself as a human and playing a part in the world around you.  It means you care for others, you try to do better, you pay bills, and you are actively improving others, not just yourself.

It's hard.  I have a wife, two kids, a dog, a house, a career, and while it's really tough, it's the most fun I've ever had.  Being a teenager is boring.  Everyone who wants to do that the rest of their lives are either (a) cowards or (b) unimaginative.  Think of all the stuff you get to do now.  That's why it's important to learn how to do school and have a life outside video games and the basement or your bedroom.

You get to make decisions.  There's no more waiting for Mom or Dad to figure everything out.  It's on you and you control your own fate.  The world is yours for the taking.

Learn to work hard, learn to take criticism, learn to eat healthy and exercise, learn about debt management and your credit score, and learn to LIVE LIFE!

You get to know.  The first 17 years are basically easy mode and a walkthrough.  It gets way better as you get older.

janus :   I do get help from local food banks, sad to say,  and we do the same, my wife and I, by turning the heat down when it is colder.  You can always dress up in warmer clothes,  and in the summers here in Texas...not much you can do about that besides turn the fans on or spend the days at a pool.  When you are trying to cool a house down to at least 80 and it is 110 outside, that's killer on the electricity bill.  I usually eat once a day since I "make too much" to apply for food assistance, so there is food for the kids.  Lesson to be learned.  Get a good education and a decent job, cause I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up

lordbelial669: Ugh, tell me about it. I live in Idaho; although it probably does not get as damp as Texas, it still gets scorching. Like 35 C for 2 or three weeks with barely any clouds in sight. I biked once towards 4 p.m. and I was suffocating from the accumulated heat in the asphalt. And since electricity is more expensive in the summer I can not even wear a top when I am at home.

And your "making too much" shows how incentives get perverted through government welfare. My sister-in-law almost had her food stamps taken away because she and her husband were making like, $10 over the threshold. 

However, education nowadays does not seem to mean much. True, college majors on average earn more, but considering how many of them graduate in domains with little opportunity... If your children are good with their hands, encourage them into trades (carpentry, electricity, plumbing). It may not be "honorable" (for lack of a better word), but at least they will make a very decent living.