“Adulting” is a Struggle

The following Saturday evening I received the text message from him, “Adulting is a struggle.”  He was at the grocery store trying to figure out what to purchase for food and how much.  He first called my husband, “Mike, how much milk should I buy?”  He has a fridge and microwave but no oven or cook top.  Mike got him through the milk challenge, then Will and I made a quick list together via text and he was off to the races.  I told him, “You’ve got this.”  And he answered, “Thanks momma.”

A couple of days later I was making dinner and my phone rang.  It was Will.  He was at the grocery store, again, and needed some help figuring out what to do about utensils for eating and cooking.  We had a discussion about not putting paper plates and Styrofoam in the microwave and how purchasing inexpensive utensils and dishes from a thrift store or local discount store is best.  I reminded him he would need dish soap and a way to dry the dishes.  He proudly announced he and his buddies already had dish soap.  While we were on the phone he found the section where silverware is on display and triumphantly added them to his cart.  Thanking me, he ended our call and moved on to complete his quest.

Will, like many others, is working hard to learn how to be an adult.  As I reflected on my communication with him over the last few days it struck me how difficult “adulting” really is.  And just think about all the people who are becoming adults without someone to call and find out “how” to do it!  There’s so much more to becoming an adult than just aging out.  There are incremental steps toward independence and practical skills learned at each step.  Everything from how to make appointments for car repairs to how to shop for groceries on a limited budget and caring for your personal well-being.

Each day, we provide the guidance that many of our clients need in order to become happy and productive adults.  Many have never had anyone in in their lives to be the one that could help them navigate.  Our case managers and home visitors provide critical life skills training.  Our counselors teach our clients to change their way of thinking so that all the areas of their lives are improved.  Our work here matters.  We have the opportunity to lessen the struggle of “adulting.”

The support of our programs and the commitment shown by the community to Radiant Health helps us continue to help those on their journey to self sufficiency. Thank you for being the ONE.