These 30 Things Are The Adult Equivalents Of Finding Out Santa Isn’t Real, According To Netizens

Life is full of hard truths, but sometimes it takes a while to discover them. Kids believe in the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and Santa Claus, but it’s inevitable that these fantasies will come crashing down once they get older.Someone asked the internet, “What’s the adult equivalent of realizing that Santa Claus doesn’t exist?” and netizens were only too happy to share their lessons about the harsh realities of adulting. Here’s our pick of some of the best answers.More info:RedditThis post may includeaffiliate links.

Someone asked the internet, “What’s the adult equivalent of realizing that Santa Claus doesn’t exist?” and netizens were only too happy to share their lessons about the harsh realities of adulting. Here’s our pick of some of the best answers.

More info:Reddit

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Money CAN buy happiness.

Smiling woman lying on dollar bills, symbolizing adult realizations about money and life.

Grades mean nothing once you leave school.

Person marking a test with a red pen, capturing adult realizations moment.

Bad things happen to good people and there’s nothing you can do about it but endure.

A man sitting on a bed, appearing contemplative, covering his face, illustrating adult realizations.

Transitioning into adulthood brings with it a series of realizations that can be both challenging and enlightening. Despite our best efforts, facts don’t always align with our expectations. Adulthood also introduces nuanced choices, each carrying potential long-term consequences and often involving trade-offs.As you get older, you come to realize that yourparentsare just people trying to do their best, yourpaychecknever goes as far as you’d like it to, hard work doesn’t always deliver rich rewards, and life is full of mundane activities you’d rather not spend so much time on, like laundry and washing the dishes afterdinner.

As you get older, you come to realize that yourparentsare just people trying to do their best, yourpaychecknever goes as far as you’d like it to, hard work doesn’t always deliver rich rewards, and life is full of mundane activities you’d rather not spend so much time on, like laundry and washing the dishes afterdinner.

Realizing that no matter how good you are at your job — You. Are. Expendable.

Woman packing personal items into a box labeled “FIRED” in an office, experiencing an adult realization.

We’re all still children in aging bodies.

Children smiling and making peace signs, symbolizing innocence before adult realizations.

Religion is all social control.

Candles in a dimly lit space representing adult realizations, with a person praying in the foreground.

Adultingproperly means ongoing learning and adaptation. The skills and knowledge that brought you success in the past might not cut it for future challenges, so a commitment to personal and professional growth is of critical importance. Along the way you’re bound to have to make some sacrifices, but that’s called growing up.Forming and maintaining friendships as an adult are harder too. Unlike the spontaneous connections of youth, adultfriendshipsoften need to be scheduled and nurtured amidst busy lives. This is when you discover that some friendships just weren’t meant to last the test of time, while others can survive anything life throws at them.

Forming and maintaining friendships as an adult are harder too. Unlike the spontaneous connections of youth, adultfriendshipsoften need to be scheduled and nurtured amidst busy lives. This is when you discover that some friendships just weren’t meant to last the test of time, while others can survive anything life throws at them.

the day you realize you’re the same age as your parents were when you were a kid, and you have no idea of what you’re doing.- There is no justice in the universe. Terrible people will profit from terrible things, compound wealth, and live to a ripe old age without ever facing accountability. Good people will struggle every day until they die.

Man in deep thought sitting on a couch, reflecting on adult realizations with a serious expression.

That your parents are just people trying to get through life too!!

A family walking together on a path, parents holding a toddler’s hands, symbolizing adult realizations about life.

Realizing that human nature doesn’t change and that greed, stupidity, and cruelty will be with us forever.

Person in blue shirt counting money, symbolizing adult realizations about financial realities.

The key principles of Stoicism include focusing on what you can control, practicing the four cardinal virtues ofwisdom, courage, justice, and temperance, and accepting fate, or embracing events as they happen. Incorporating Stoic practices into your daily life can lead to personal growth and a more balanced perspective, which is never a bad thing.

It’s always been the haves vs the have-nots.

Group of adults dining outdoors on a boat near a river, embracing adult realizations.

College doesnt necessarily equate to having a good, high paying job.

People studying in a large library, symbolizing adult realizations with books and discussions.

That 401Ks were never supposed to be the retirement plan, they were originally supposed to supplement your pension.Also, pensions.

Elderly man writing notes while a woman looks on, both pondering adult realizations at a table.

In hisarticlefor Psychology Today, licensed marriage and family therapist, John Kim, writes that adulting is a process - it takes lots of trial and error and hard reminders from life and expired relationships. Kim advises taking full responsibility for where you’re at in your life, checking your ego, practicing gratitude, and always being honest with yourself.

Not everyone is going to like you.

Person sitting and covering face with a book, pondering adult realizations similar to discovering Santa isn’t real.

Being a loyal hard worker is not the way to get ahead for most people 🤷 .

Two people shaking hands with trucks in the background, symbolizing adult realizations and agreements.

Discovering that HR works for the company’s best interests, not the employees’.

Office setting with a smiling woman in focus, colleagues discussing adult realizations near a table with laptops.

It’s fair to say it’s a hard knock life for us adults but always remember the freedom that comes with being a grown-up; it’s what you lusted after when you were still a kid with a curfew and no car to call your own.What do you think of the facts about adulting netizens have shared in this list? Are any of them hitting home for you? Upvote your favorites and don’t forget to leave a comment if you can relate!

What do you think of the facts about adulting netizens have shared in this list? Are any of them hitting home for you? Upvote your favorites and don’t forget to leave a comment if you can relate!

Extra costs of owning a home.

Doormat with “HOME” printed, heart replacing the “O”, on wooden porch background, viewed from above.