15 Ways to Be More of an Adult

This article was co-authored by Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Michelle Shahbazyan is the Founder of The LA Life Coach, a concierge life, family, and career coaching service based in Los Angeles, California. She has over 10 years of experience with life coaching, consulting, motivational speaking, and matchmaking. She has a BA in Applied Psychology and an MS in Building Construction and Technology Management from Georgia Tech University, and a MA in Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate University.

There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.

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Do you feel like a kid trapped in an adult's body? Have you been told you should act more like an adult, but you don't understand what that means? Well, you've come to the right place. Adulthood, as it turns out, doesn't come with a guidebook. That's why we talked to life coaches and lifestyle experts to find out everything you need to know about how to act like an adult.

1. Elevate your basic outfits to be more mature and presentable.
2. Maintain good personal hygiene and a clean living space.
3. Make a five-year plan for your goals and finances.
4. Approach life with confidence and an open mind.
5. Treat others with respect and kindness.
6. Take responsibility for your actions and mistakes.

Invest in a more mature, classic style.

Wearing more adult clothing can make you feel more like an adult. Making this change doesn't mean you have to throw out your old band tees! It just means thinking more about the overall look and putting clothes together in an intentional way, rather than just grabbing something from the top of the pile of clean clothes. [1] X Research source

• Accessories can elevate basics like a T-shirt and jeans to something more stylish. You might also experiment with tucking in your shirt, rolling up your jeans, or wearing different types of belts.
• Image consultant Chloée Ohayon-Crosby maintains that, while "trends are fun, you know your body…and what works for you." [2] X Expert Source

Chloée Ohayon-Crosby
Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist Expert Interview. 24 July 2020. Rather than hopping on every youth-oriented micro-trend, find what looks good on your body and with your style. Similarly, etiquette coach Tami Claytor notes that "if you want to look more mature, please wear clothes that fit properly. make sure that your clothes are pressed, so they're not wrinkled. [and] make sure that you look presentable." [3] X Expert Source

Maintain good personal hygiene.

Being able to take care of yourself is an important part of being an adult. People notice when you're clearly taking care of yourself and putting some effort into your appearance. But beyond that, taking care of yourself makes you feel better about yourself. When you know you smell good and look presentable, you have more confidence than if you roll out of bed in your PJs. [4] X Research source

• As a teenager, try to build the hygiene routines that will take you through and into adulthood. As your skin and body are changing, this is the perfect time to create routines that work for you to keep you looking and feeling your best.
• Life coach Michelle Shahbazyan notes that "when you're better at taking care of yourself. you will find that your life will be thoroughly enhanced, and you'll feel better and. be more productive." [5] X Expert Source

Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA
Life Coach, Author, and Speaker Expert Interview. 22 April 2020. Ohayon-Crosby agrees that "no matter what you wear, hygiene is a big one. Someone that looks always clean, always has a good presentation. that speaks for itself." [6] X Expert Source

Chloée Ohayon-Crosby
Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist Expert Interview. 24 July 2020. Ohayon-Crosby continues, "Always have your hair combed, always looking clean. You could be wearing anything, but if you don't look sharp and clean, then it doesn't always look good." [7] X Expert Source

Keep your living area clean and tidy.

• Wall treatments, plants, and real artwork can make your place look less like a teenager's room or a dorm room.
• As with your wardrobe, you don't have to get rid of your favorite posters or concert memorabilia! Just frame them so they look more polished. They'll give your room a more put-together look.

Find a mentor to act as a role model.

Getting guidance and advice helps you build your self-confidence. A good mentor can help teach you new skills as well as improve the skills you already have. With their help, you might find that your self-assurance grows, and you feel more prepared to tackle what comes your way. You'll definitely seem more adult if you seem more composed and ready to take on any situation. [9] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Business Review Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices Go to source

If you're not sure who to tap as a mentor, Shahbazyan recommends that you "look around you for people you look up to and see what they do and what successful people are accomplishing as far as the day-to-day part of their life." [10] X Expert Source