Jan 64 min read

The Reality of Being an Adult in 2025

"Resilience is like creating art—you start with chaos, take small, deliberate steps, and trust the process. With patience and purpose, the messy beginnings turn into something extraordinary."

It’s been a rough ride through 2024, and as 2025 began, life didn’t exactly cut me any slack. Bills, debts, loans, mortgages, and medical expenses came crashing down all at once—each one louder and more pressing than the other.

Inflation continues to soar, and the economy feels like it's stuck in quicksand, pulling down anyone who isn’t on solid financial ground.

As I sit there, mentally calculating payments, juggling due dates, and wondering how on earth we’re going to make it through another month, I glance over at my 4-year-old daughter.

She’s carefree, giggling while playing games, completely oblivious to the weight of the world on my shoulders. Part of me envies her simplicity, but a much larger part reminds me: that she’s the reason I have to keep pushing forward.

Life is relentless, and it doesn’t get better by accident. It gets better. We fight for it because we learn to adapt, and because we refuse to give up. And so, I realized—it’s time to nut up or shut up. No one’s coming to save us. This is a battle we have to face head-on.

Facing the Storm

We all have moments where life feels overwhelming—those times when everything comes crashing down at once, and you're left wondering if there’s a way out. For me, that moment hit hard as soon as the new year began. The mounting pressure of financial obligations isn’t something new, but when it stacks higher than before, it feels like drowning in a sea of stress.

As artists, creatives, and freelancers, we know this story all too well. The feast-or-famine cycle of creative work, paired with real-life responsibilities, can be brutal. Add to that an unstable economy, where client budgets shrink and competition grows, and it’s easy to feel like you’re caught in an endless loop of hustling just to stay afloat.

At some point, I caught myself thinking, How did things get this tough? And more importantly, how am I going to pull through?

The truth is, no matter how bleak things may seem, giving up isn't an option. Not when you have a family depending on you. Not when you’ve fought so hard to get where you are. And definitely not when you’ve still got dreams waiting to be realized.

Building Resilience, One Step at a Time

When life throws everything at you, it’s easy to feel paralyzed. But if there’s anything I’ve learned from both life and art, it’s that resilience isn’t built overnight—it’s forged through small, consistent actions.

Here’s what I’ve been doing to stay afloat and keep moving forward, both as an artist and as an individual:

Break Down the Chaos
When everything feels overwhelming, break it down into smaller, manageable tasks. Whether it’s financial planning, project deadlines, or personal goals, writing things down and prioritizing helps reduce the mental load.
Diversify Your Work
The creative industry is unpredictable, and relying on a single income stream can be risky. Explore side hustles, passive income opportunities, or collaborations that can supplement your main work.
Learn to Say No
As creatives, it’s tempting to take on every project that comes our way. But not every opportunity is worth the time and energy. Learn to filter projects that align with your goals and values, and don’t be afraid to say no to things that drain you.
Stay Inspired, Stay Grounded
Life gets tough, but finding moments of joy—whether through your art, your family, or personal hobbies—keeps you grounded. For me, watching my daughter play reminds me that life isn’t just about surviving; it’s about finding those moments of happiness that keep us going.
Ask for Help When Needed
You don’t have to do everything alone. Whether it’s seeking advice from a mentor, talking to a friend, or even just taking a break when things get too heavy, reaching out for help is a strength, not a weakness.

Moving Forward with Purpose

This year, I’ve made a promise to myself: to fight harder, think smarter, and keep pushing forward, no matter what life throws at me. It’s not about waiting for things to get better on their own; it’s about taking control of what we can and learning to navigate what we can’t.

If you’re in the same boat—feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges—know that you’re not alone. We all have battles to fight, and the key to winning is showing up every day, ready to put in the work.

Remember, just like in art, life is about constant improvement. You sketch, you revise, you erase, and you try again—until eventually, you create something worth being proud of.

So keep sketching, keep pushing, and keep showing up. Better days are ahead, but only if we make them happen.

Final Tip: As an artist or creative, resilience isn’t just a personal trait—it’s a skill you can develop. Start small, stay consistent, and trust the process. Just like a work-in-progress sketch, your journey might look messy now, but give it time, and it’ll turn into something extraordinary.

Stay strong. Keep creating. And don’t forget to find those moments of joy that remind you why you started in the first place.