Can you believe we’re the new adults? It seems like just yesterday we were rubbing glue on our hands and peeling it off for entertainment. Funny how things we enjoyed back then no longer amuse us today. We could say the same about ourselves as kids, when we despised what we now love as adults (shout out to sunscreen). We’ve made a list of more examples we bet you’ll agree with.
Here are 11 things that went from being hated to appreciated once we became adults.
1. Saving Money
As a kid, saving money felt like a chore. I remember being excited to rip money from holiday and birthday cards just to hear an elder tell us to save it, stealing the joy out of blowing every dime in the mall. Dang. Can I live?
Once you reach adulthood, you realize the value of saving is both obvious and necessary. Having financial security and self-control over your finances is one of the most rewarding habits.
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*abandons Amazon cart*
2. Eating Vegetables
It didn’t matter how hard our moms tried to convince us of the benefits of broccoli. Aside from granny’s cabbage and collard greens, veggies were the opps—our arch-enemies at the dinner table.
Fast forward to adulthood, and we find ourselves savoring greens and other delectable veggies. Nowadays, I don’t want a plate that does not include some sort of vegetable on it, and the health benefits are still a plus.
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3. Bathtime
Y’all know those bathtime battles were something serious. The thought of swapping out do-what-I-want time for a chance to splash soap in my eyes was never appealing. But as an adult, bathtime is now a cherished escape from the daily grind. And those long, hot showers feel like all sins are being washed away.
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Give me a warm bath, a candle, and some R&B—and that’s all she wrote.
4. Leftovers
“There’s food at the house,” said every parent confidently as they rode past McDonald’s. As kids, we'd scrunch our noses at the thought of repeating dinner from the night before.
As adults, leftovers save not only money but also time when we’re too busy or tired to cook (and God forbid someone eats the last bit of leftovers you’ve been craving all day). Whew!
5. The News
As kids, news broadcasts seemed dull and uninteresting. We could care less about what was going on in the world as long as it didn't interfere with our favorite TV show or video game.
But as adults, we know how crucial it can be to stay up on current news and events to gain knowledge of the complex world around us. In the words of Marvin Gaye, “What’s going on?”
6. Taste of Coffee
The bitter taste of coffee is an acquired one; most of us cringed and wanted nothing to do with it as kids (and had no business trying it anyway). However, for some adults, that morning cup of Joe becomes a lifeline, fueling us with the caffeine kick we need to face the day ahead (or at least help us wake up and halfway function).
7. Canceled Plans
To a kid, canceled plans mean disappointment and boredom, because what do you mean you're “on punishment now and can't go”?
As an adult, there's a silver lining to this cloud, and being flaky never felt so good. Canceled plans give us the gift of unscheduled free time to relax, recharge, or do absolutely nothing at all.
Sweet right?
8. Trying New Food
Keep your sushi. Most kids like to play it safe with pizza, chicken nuggets, etc., and back in the day was no exception.
But as adults, our palates evolve, and we look forward to exploring new cuisines, flavors, and textures. These days, trying new foods is a surprising delight rather than an inconvenience.
9. Naps/Early Bedtime
Kids wore fighting sleep as a badge of honor because it always felt like we were missing out on something. As adults, naps and early bedtimes are cherished luxuries. Whether a quick cat nap or a full night's sleep, the older we get, the more we look forward to catching Zs.
10. Alone Time
Most kids craved constant human interaction and dreaded being alone. Time alone meant being bored out of our minds, and the silence was unbearable.
As adults, solitude becomes a sanctuary, and the peace and quiet is music to our ears.
11. Looking Younger
Being mistaken as younger was a frustration in our youth. We wanted to look older and more mature. But as the years pass, looking and feeling younger than our actual age is viewed as a blessing, and we learn to embrace the fountain of youth in our own way; especially the “black don’t crack” gang.
The things we rejected as children have now become a vital part of our lives. This reminds us that embracing new interests and experiences is one of the most rewarding parts of adulthood and makes us who we are today.
