Adulting Level: Calling My Mom to Ask How to Use the Washing Machine (Again)
Adulting Level: Calling My Mom to Ask How to Use the Washing Machine (Again)
I'm 26 years old and I called my mom three times last week. Once was about laundry. Again.
Look, I'm not alone in my perpetual state of confusion about basic life skills. According to a recent survey, 63% of us millennials and Gen Z-ers are feeling completely burned out by this whole adulting thing. (At least I'm trendy in my incompetence?)
The washing machine incident started when I tried to wash my ski gear before hitting the slopes for some training. Apparently, there's a "special" setting for technical wear. Who knew? (Everyone but me, probably.) After flooding my laundry room with suds, I made the walk of shame to my phone, leaving wet footprints behind me like some kind of domestic disaster breadcrumb trail.
But the laundry drama was just the beginning. Last month, I stared at my tax forms for so long, the numbers started dancing. Fun fact: I'm part of the nearly 20% of Gen Z adults who don't even know how to write a check. (Tax forms? That's like advanced calculus with more crying.)
The cooking calls are my personal favorite. Last week, I needed to know if chicken was supposed to be "kind of pink" in the middle. (Spoiler alert: NO.) This might explain why I spend so much time reviewing après-ski drinks instead of cooking – at least I can't give myself food poisoning with a hot toddy.
Then there was the insurance explanation saga. After my epic wipeout with that cute ski instructor, I had to figure out my health insurance. Did you know that according to education experts, there are massive gaps in life skills education in schools? Like, maybe between teaching us about mitochondria and the Treaty of Versailles, they could've squeezed in a "How to Not Die as an Adult 101" class?
But here's the thing – I'm starting to accept my perpetual confusion. Research shows that most young adults don't consider themselves "real" adults until around age 27. So technically, I have one more year to figure out the washing machine. (Mom, if you're reading this, keep your phone charged.)
Besides, these weekly calls with my mom? They're kind of nice. Sure, I'm calling because I can't remember if I can put my metal water bottle in the microwave (another spoiler: NO), but we end up talking about everything else too. Although I do think she's started screening my calls on laundry day...
What basic adulting skill do you still secretly Google? (Or call your mom about?) Drop a comment below – make me feel better about my ongoing battle with the washing machine!
P.S. If anyone needs me, I'll be watching YouTube tutorials on how to fold a fitted sheet. (Hour three, still no progress.)