The Creator Of Adulting Has Some Regrets Vanity Fair

Okay, let's talk about adulting. You know, that trendy word we use for all the boring but necessary stuff like paying bills, doing laundry, and pretending to understand taxes.

Well, guess what? The person who basically invented the term, a woman named Kelly Williams Brown, has some regrets.

The Accidental Adulting Guru

Kelly Williams Brown didn't set out to become the queen of responsible behavior. She was just trying to figure out her own life, like the rest of us.

In 2013, she wrote a book called "Adulting: How to Become a Grown-Up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps." It was full of practical advice and relatable humor, and it totally blew up.

Suddenly, everyone was using the word "adulting" to describe the daily grind of being a grown-up. Brown was dubbed the "adulting guru," which is probably the most ironic title ever.

The Downside of Adulting

So, why the regrets? Well, according to a recent Vanity Fair article, Brown started to see that the term "adulting" had taken on a life of its own, and not always in a good way.

It became a way to pat ourselves on the back for doing the bare minimum. "Look at me, I adulted today! I made my bed!"

It could also be used as a sarcastic way to deflect from responsibilities. "Ugh, I have to adult now and go to work."

Brown worried that the focus on these small, individual acts of "adulting" was distracting us from bigger issues, like societal problems and systemic inequalities.

From "Adulting" to Something More

Brown realized that true adulthood isn't just about mastering the mundane. It's about taking responsibility for our communities and working towards a better world.

She started to shift her focus from individual tips and tricks to broader concepts like empathy, social justice, and civic engagement.

"I wanted to make sure I wasn’t unintentionally contributing to a culture where people thought they were doing enough by just keeping their own houses in order," she said.

It is the essence of her regret. Brown now sees "adulting" as a starting point, not the finish line.

What Can We Learn?

The story of Kelly Williams Brown and her "adulting" regrets is a good reminder that words matter. And that even the most well-intentioned concepts can be misinterpreted.

It also shows that it's okay to evolve our thinking and change our perspectives as we learn and grow. After all, isn't that what being an adult is all about?

So, the next time you use the word "adulting," maybe take a moment to think about what it really means to be a responsible, engaged member of society. It's about more than just doing the dishes.

It's about making the world a better place, one small (or big) act of kindness, activism, or just plain thoughtfulness at a time. And that's something we can all adult towards.