I realised how scared I am of being a functional fully independent adult at 26y.
To preface this - I am aware that a lot of people have it way worse. I just need to share the below.
I was an only child and my parents were overprotective , especially my mother (she was an only child too). I still live with them due to both objective and subjective reasons, mostly financial (not in US). I have a job and I am finishing a masters degree. It got even scarier because my parents are reaching ages where they get more health issues (one of them fought cancer and is slowly getting better now)
I have never had the feeling to flee somewhere permanently and start a new up until 2 years ago. (despite the fact that I lived abroad alone for 2 and half years between 2018 and 2021 as a student while coming back only for holidays -isolation did a number on me for sure). Problem is I am very scared and I dont know exactly where to go. I need something to pull me away - a new opportunity of any form. My partner is in a similar situation to mine and I hope she also finds something , because she doesnt work at the moment.
I spoke with a psychologist about this shift in mindset and how not to give in to ilusionary comfort. What scares me is my reactions to certain situations are really not adequate enough for someone my age despite wanting to be helpful and to learn properly(lack of experience essentially). I dont have a problem with the administration part of things but of managing everything while being reliant fully on myself. That if I feel sick I will need to handle it fully myself and call friends if that serious (I probably do need more friends than the ones I already have) I also need to improve my fitness (i dont have super serious issues but i am quite weak for my age) and to be always consistent with my sleep cycle which are becoming my top priorities at the moment . Is anyone else in a somewhat similar situation?
TLDR : I didnt learn some things properly earlier on and now Im scared to be a fully functioning adult . I am hopeful for the future and I am genuinely trying to get myself together.
Posted Jul 21, 2026, 9:25 AM UTC