Adulting
It's a necessary transformation without much preparation
So far, my stories are brief rants on the random topics i have come across in my day-to-day. Adulting is one of them. It is a broad term not found in the traditional dictionary. Adulting is wishing you were a kid again while trying to figure out how to be an adult and sustain adult situations. Adulting is, in general, hard work. It is waking up at the crack of dawn to go work in the work force pyramid of whatever company you cater to. It is an endless onslaught of invoices and payments that eat away at the fiscal representation of your self worth known as your bank accounts. Most importantly it is decision making, which can be fun or it can be a puzzle.
Remember how you used to have a question, and raise your hand in class for teacher advisement? Remember looking to your neighbor and asking them how they got that answer to the same question you had? Those were the good ole days. Adulting now is finding all of the answers for yourself, and only sharing them when it is mutually beneficial for the inquisitor and the advisor. Most people don't want to, or cannot afford to, make the dispensing of such coveted information worth it. So, we play the game of life under the rules of "every man for themselves".
Not everyone is like this, but enough are to make adulting hard. When you are adulting you learn to problem solve on a larger scale. Your goals shift from getting toys to getting properties. You stop figuring out what chores culminate the privileges you seek, and rather contemplate what jobs make the most money. You learn the good, bad, and ugly of people through a variety of relationships. Most importantly you learn to be resilient through the lows and highs of scenarios you cannot fully control.
The reason i say all of that is to lead up to the biggest struggle we encounter when we are adulting. To withstand the trials of adulting, you may encounter vices- temporary distractions that afford you some kind of relief from the frustration of the aforementioned game. My request of you, as an avid player of this game, is to not fall for it. Vices are mere hairs shy of addictions and enablers that stunt you.
They are sustainable in a small few environments and once tied to them, due to whatever relief they may provide you with, you too are only sustainable in that same environment. It is not a vice if it does not limit what you are capable of doing or accomplishing. If it does not negatively impact your standing in an environment it is not a vice. Most importantly, it is not a vice if you do not have to consistently adjust yourself and your environment to accommodate or hide it. When your favorite pastime can almost universally pass those three standards, its a hobby that simply contributes to your entertainment.
So that you do not leave this brief rant completely discouraged, let me highlight the upside to adulting. It is also, in its simplest form, freedom. You have to work for it to work for you, but it is what you make it. Only you will define the game's experience for you with every decision you make. You do not always have to play by the rules of others. You can prepare yourself in advance in hopes of getting ahead in some ways. The game is most usually hard when you try to play it alone. So, keep up with your friends and find hobbies that keep the days or weeks lighthearted and you will be perfectly fine. Find the structure that makes you feel most comfortable and grounded and build from that framework.
If you are a person who understand the ways in which adulting can be hard, I hope you also understand that it is not always hard. Every low is eclipsed by a blissful high. Your biggest weapon against the traps and pitfalls of this game is your resiliency and optimism.
About the Creator
Jessica Mullen
An avid scribbler and freelancer moonlighting as a journalist and essayist. Hope you like it.
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Thankful for It All
To be thankful is to be grateful for something. You do this to acknowledge value in a person, place, or thing that could very well not be there the next day for whatever reason. Everything deserves some appreciation sometimes. In a time where depression, disconnection, illness, death, isolation, unemployment, confrontation, and silence are dominant. You may struggle to find things to be thankful for. Maybe your routine was something that you clung to for purpose in your days, or a reason to smile. You are possibly craving connection, touch, and attention or just a simple daily conversation to bring variety into your new schedule.
By Jessica Mullen5 years ago in Motivation
Los Angeles Billionaire Moves to Nevada After California Threatens to Tax Wealth
When a prominent Los Angeles billionaire quietly packed up and moved to Nevada, it wasn’t just a personal lifestyle change — it was a political statement. The move came shortly after California lawmakers revived proposals to tax extreme wealth, targeting the state’s richest residents as a way to fund public services and address inequality. Now, that single relocation has become a symbol in a much larger debate: Do wealth taxes strengthen states — or drive their most valuable taxpayers away? The Trigger: California’s Wealth Tax Proposal California has long wrestled with how to fund its ambitious social programs while addressing widening income inequality. In recent years, progressive lawmakers have floated proposals to introduce a wealth tax, aimed at individuals with net worths above a certain threshold — often tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Unlike income taxes, which apply to yearly earnings, wealth taxes target accumulated assets such as stocks, real estate, and business holdings. Supporters argue that this approach ensures the ultra-rich contribute a fairer share to public infrastructure, education, and housing. Critics, however, warn that wealth taxes are difficult to enforce and easy to avoid, especially in a mobile economy where residency can shift across state lines. The Los Angeles billionaire’s move appears to validate those concerns. Why Nevada? Nevada has become a magnet for wealthy individuals — and the reasons are straightforward. The state has: No personal income tax No capital gains tax Business-friendly regulations A growing financial and tech services sector For high-net-worth individuals, relocating to Nevada can mean saving millions of dollars annually. For someone facing the possibility of a wealth tax layered on top of California’s already high income taxes, the financial incentive is hard to ignore. In this case, the billionaire reportedly established legal residency in Nevada, purchased property, and shifted business operations — all steps that tax experts say are increasingly common among ultra-wealthy Californians. A Broader Trend, Not an Isolated Case This move is far from unique. Over the past decade, California has seen a steady outflow of wealthy residents to states like Nevada, Texas, Florida, and Arizona. While climate, housing costs, and lifestyle play roles, tax policy has become a central factor. High-profile departures — from tech executives to hedge fund managers — often spark political backlash. Critics argue that the wealthy are abandoning the state that helped them succeed. Defenders counter that states should not penalize success to fund unsustainable spending. The Los Angeles billionaire’s relocation has once again brought this tension into the spotlight. The Political Reaction in California California lawmakers defending the wealth tax proposal insist that fear of capital flight is exaggerated. They argue that the state’s economic advantages — including access to talent, innovation hubs, and cultural influence — outweigh tax concerns for most entrepreneurs. Some lawmakers also point out that California already relies heavily on its highest earners, with a small percentage of taxpayers contributing a large share of total revenue. In their view, asking the ultra-rich to contribute more is not radical — it’s necessary. Opponents, however, see the billionaire’s move as a warning sign. They argue that when even a single wealthy individual leaves, the state can lose not only tax revenue but also investment, philanthropy, and job creation. What This Means for State Finances The departure of one billionaire may not immediately dent California’s massive budget, but the long-term implications are harder to ignore. Wealthy individuals often: Pay a disproportionate share of state taxes Fund startups and venture capital Support universities, museums, and nonprofits If enough high-net-worth residents follow the same path, critics warn, the tax base could shrink faster than lawmakers expect. Supporters of the wealth tax counter that public investment funded by higher taxes could improve quality of life for millions — potentially attracting new residents and businesses in the long run. A National Debate Over Wealth and Mobility This story extends beyond California. Across the U.S., states are competing for residents — especially wealthy ones. Tax policy has become one of the most powerful tools in that competition. While progressive states push for redistribution, low-tax states market themselves as havens for capital. The Los Angeles billionaire’s move underscores a key reality of modern economics: wealth is increasingly mobile. Assets can move digitally, businesses can relocate headquarters, and individuals can change residency with relative ease. This mobility complicates efforts to tax extreme wealth at the state level, fueling calls for federal solutions instead. The Ethical Divide At the heart of the controversy lies a philosophical question: Should wealthy individuals feel a moral obligation to remain and pay higher taxes in the states that enabled their success — or are they justified in seeking the most favorable financial environment? Supporters of wealth taxes argue that extreme inequality threatens social stability and that those who benefit most from the system should help sustain it. Opponents argue that punitive taxation discourages innovation and rewards capital flight, ultimately harming the very communities lawmakers aim to help. The billionaire’s move doesn’t settle the debate — but it sharpens it. What Happens Next? California’s wealth tax proposals are still evolving, and it remains unclear whether a final version will pass. Even if enacted, legal challenges and enforcement hurdles loom large. Meanwhile, states like Nevada are likely to continue benefiting from California’s policy uncertainty, attracting wealthy residents and businesses seeking predictability. For policymakers, the challenge is balancing fairness, revenue needs, and competitiveness in a system where borders are increasingly porous. Final Thoughts The Los Angeles billionaire’s move to Nevada is more than a headline — it’s a case study in how tax policy shapes behavior. It highlights the difficulty of taxing wealth at the state level and the unintended consequences that can follow even well-intentioned reforms. As California debates its economic future, one thing is clear: in a mobile, interconnected economy, policy decisions don’t just redistribute wealth — they redirect it. Whether wealth taxes become a solution or a cautionary tale will depend on how lawmakers respond to the signals already being sent.
By Muhammad Hassana day ago in Humans
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