When I first ventured out on my own, I was convinced I was fully prepared to tackle the challenges life had in store for me. I thought that simply being older would equip me with all the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of adulthood. However, I quickly realized that many of us have not been taught essential life skills that are crucial for thriving as adults.
This isn’t about casting blame; various factors might have contributed to our lack of preparedness. Perhaps our parents were themselves unprepared or preoccupied with their own challenges. It’s also possible that we were too headstrong to truly absorb what we were taught. Regardless of the reasons, the fact remains: many of us left home without a solid foundation in basic life skills.
The crucial aspect is how we address this gap in knowledge. I spent a significant portion of my twenties stumbling through essential tasks. I had no idea that filing taxes annually was a requirement. Buying a house or a car? That was a foreign concept to me, and I couldn’t even drive! Basic household chores and cooking felt like monumental tasks, and budgeting? Don’t even get me started.
The initial step in acquiring these necessary skills is acknowledging that we lack them. In my first years away from home, I didn’t even recognize how much I didn’t know. But as time went on and I encountered various obstacles, it became painfully clear that I was woefully unprepared for adulthood—especially after welcoming a couple of kids into my life.
Here’s the silver lining: recognizing our gaps in knowledge is the gateway to learning. Many people claim they can’t cook because they never learned, but in today’s digital age, that excuse is becoming obsolete. We now have a wealth of resources at our fingertips—from written guides to step-by-step videos, podcasts, and more.
Over the past decade, I’ve taken the initiative to learn how to cook, preserve food, garden, sew (very basic skills), purchase a car, buy and sell a house, and complete my taxes. Much of this knowledge came from asking questions and watching informative videos online. While previous generations relied on family to teach them these skills, many of us now have the power to educate ourselves.
It’s easy to blame others for our lack of skills, but as adults, we hold the responsibility to change our circumstances. If you’re eager to learn or achieve a goal, the path forward is to take the initiative and seek out the knowledge you need. Pointing fingers won’t fill in the gaps of what you missed out on in your youth.
I’ve transformed from a young woman with limited knowledge about the real world into someone who enjoys cooking, manages her taxes, and actively seeks out information online through videos and tutorials. I have no intention of stopping this journey; I envision myself at 80, still learning and exploring new interests.
So, what have you been telling yourself is too late to learn? It’s time to change that narrative from “I can’t” to “Watch me do it.”
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In summary, taking charge of our lives means recognizing our gaps in knowledge and actively pursuing the skills we need. The digital age provides us with endless resources to learn and grow, transforming “I can’t” into “I will.”