Luxe Multi-Hyphenate

No one really prepares you for the emotional rollercoaster that is adulthood. You grow up thinking it’s all about freedom—freedom to choose, to go, to be. And while that’s true in many ways, no one mentions the weight that comes with it. The freedom to use your time how you want… but also the heavy responsibility of making sure you use it wisely. The quiet pressure of “not wasting it” becomes its own full-time job.

I didn’t expect how much of adulthood would be about working just to keep up—paying bills, managing responsibilities, checking boxes. Some days it feels like that’s all there is. You wake up, grind, go to bed, and repeat. And if you’re not careful, you start to wonder… Is this it?

And then there’s the emotional curveballs—heartbreak, disappointment, anxiety, confusion. No one hands you a manual on how to navigate the sadness that shows up unannounced, or the fear that sneaks in when life doesn’t go as planned. You learn quickly that endurance isn’t optional—it’s a survival skill. The ability to sit in the uncomfortable, to keep going through the fog, to believe that peace will come even when you can’t see it yet.

And let’s not forget: you will probably gain and lose the same 15–20 pounds more times than you can count. It’s humbling. It’s human. And eventually, you learn to show yourself grace in the mirror too.

Don’t even get me started on health and wealth appointments. Adulthood means being your own advocate—especially when dealing with chronic illness or autoimmune conditions. Every doctor’s visit feels like a debate. You explain, you defend, you push back. And somehow, despite all the effort, someone always feels the need to say:

“Well have you tried this?”

“I wish you would do that.”

“This worked great for my friend Peter!”

(Spoiler alert: I’m not Peter. And I’m exhausted.)

Then there’s the delicate dance of standing up for yourself—your beliefs, your boundaries, your emotions. The older I get, the more I realize how many people feel entitled to comment on how you live your life. But here’s the truth: your life isn’t a group project. Learning to tell the difference between what you want and what you need, especially in relationships, takes serious inner work.

I’ve had to learn to be honest with myself. To be gentle, yet assertive. To say no, even when it’s hard. To be soft, feminine, humble, and kind—but unshakably firm when it matters. I’ve learned to dream big, to be limitless, to go after what I want with everything I’ve got—even when the path detours and nothing goes as expected.

Through it all, I’ve learned the importance of faith—in God, in myself, in the process. I’ve learned to separate truth from noise. To trust what’s real over what’s loud.

Tomorrow is not promised. And honestly? Despite the pain, confusion, and chaos…

I’ve truly enjoyed the journey.

And I’m just getting started.

What’s something you didn’t expect about adulthood that’s stuck with you?

Have you ever had to unlearn something just to protect your peace?

And most importantly—what’s one thing you’re proud of yourself for surviving?

Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your heart.