What random tasks make you feel like a 'proper' grown up?

[BigBrownBoogyingBear]

I'm 48. I have two children (one with SN). I'm married. I've bought and sold a couple of houses. Learnt to drive. Been travelling. Worked and lived in London. Presented my work at international conferences. I'm now helping to care for my elderly parents (one of whom has dementia). So I've done a lot of the things typically associated with being an adult.

But the thing that always makes me feel like a 'proper' grown up is...marinading meat. Or squeezing lemon over fish. Whenever I'm doing it I get a frisson of...I don't know...maturity? Like the real grown ups are watching with approval!

Does anyone else ever feel like this when doing random, fairly mundane tasks? If so - what are they?

Having stamps in my wallet always makes me feel grown up 😂

Being a Mum suddenly made me feel really grown up even though I was 2 weeks from my 30th birthday when I had my first, the best present ever 🥰

Same! Having stamps and plasters. And posting a card to arrive in time for a birthday. Basically the only time I feel that "frisson of maturity"... I'm nearly 40 and have appeared in the supreme court 😂

Doing my tax return! I put it off always but then when Ive done it, I give myself a pat on the back for being such a grown up.

Doing other people's tax returns for them and knowing stuff about tax. Absolutely not the job I thought I would have and far more grown up than I ever thought I would be.

Putting the recycling out. It just seems grown up.

Hiring and driving a van! I was like am I really allowed to do this 😂 despite having a licence for 20 years

Im still waiting for it to happen!

Married, mother of 1 with significant SEND (so the usual arguments with LA over EHCPs, tribunals etc), not insignificant job where I make life/death decisions daily whilst leading a team of 55 people, trustee of a charity, chair person of another.

Still feel like I'm about 16 😳

I will get slaughtered on MN for admitting this but if I can get our clothes to smell of perfumed washing powder, it makes me feel like I have things together. Like if I hug one of the DC and I can smell their clothes. It doesn't work if they smell of nothing, it has to be an actual laundry scent.

Wearing shoes with heels which click. They don't have to be high heels but they can be.

Saying the words “my solicitor” as if I have a legal professional on retainer as opposed to just hiring a random to do my conveyancing.

Buying kitchen roll and using it to clean spills it not only makes me feel like a grown up but also makes me feel rich as when I was little I thought only rich people had it 😂

Weirdly when I fold clothes- I work on a checkout and have learned to fold quickly but professionally for want of a better word. Smoothing out clothes after they’re nicely folded is weirdly the only thing that makes me feel like I have my you know what together 😅

spraying expensive perfume

Taking my car for a service or MOT

Getting my LPA sorted out while I’m in great health and have all my faculties. The most grown up thing I have ever done!

I LOVE all of these! Thanks for sharing!

I sometimes drive a van for work, and it does make me feel quite grown up @redboxerclub!

Arranging families funerals and clearing homes was the ultimate for me. But the fun bit that still blows my mind is… I choose what we have for tea each night!!

Phoning schools about sick pupils and they believe you!

There's this line in the book The Wedding People about how the narrating character always thought she would feel like a grown up when she entered a room wearing heels, but the university she worked at "was made of carpet" and it made me smile - the weight of that crushing disappointment!

Reversing to let another car go past in a narrow lane. Very grown up.

Mine is doing my tyres !
I wear vinyl gloves and carefully remove the caps then inflate , replace , stand up feeling smug.

And taking the car to the garage ( no alternative for it , DH doesn't drive )

Owning a drinks cabinet.

Being blanked by my teenaged DD’s friends except for the awkward mumbled thank you when they leave the car, and remembering how unrelatable my friend’s ancient parents were when I was that age.

I’m not sure if that makes me feel old or grown up.

I'm a solicitor - referring to "my trainee" makes me feel like a proper grown-up professional 😅

Oh and putting money into the DCs' junior SIPPs - definite grown-up territory!

Taking a meter reading