The Unadulting Society

softskymarin [admin] — Dec 23, 2025, 12:42 AM (edited)

Lydia!! I'm so happy you're still here. 💛 My list: stuffed animals (I have a bed full of them at 36), watching cartoons (Bluey is better than most "adult" television), drinking chocolate milk, and using a nightlight. I refuse to be shamed out of comfort.

jellycatjamie — Dec 26, 2025, 04:07 PM

pokemon. i'm 30. i will be playing pokemon when i'm 80. they can pry my gameboy (or whatever future device exists) from my cold dead hands.

lilpawz — Dec 27, 2025, 08:00 PM (edited)

juice boxes. i'm 26 and i will drink apple juice out of a box with a straw until i die. they're portable, they're pre-portioned, and the straw is built in. it's the perfect beverage delivery system.

overstimulatedowl — Dec 28, 2025, 10:50 PM (edited)

building blanket forts. when i'm really overwhelmed i take all the cushions off the couch and all the blankets in the house and i make a small enclosed space and i sit in it with my stuffie and my phone on do not disturb. it's better than any coping strategy a therapist has ever given me.

raccoonking — Dec 29, 2025, 12:52 PM

Swings. I'm 35 and I go to the park and swing on the swings. Sometimes there are kids there and I feel self-conscious but I do it anyway. The feeling of swinging — the rhythm, the breeze, the weightlessness at the top of the arc — it's the most regulated my nervous system ever feels.

marzipandreams — Dec 30, 2025, 04:18 AM

@the_raccoon_king Swings are SO underrated for adults. The vestibular input is genuinely therapeutic. More adults should swing.

neuronnoodle — Dec 30, 2025, 07:28 AM (edited)

I collect rocks. Not fancy crystals — just rocks I find on walks that have interesting textures or shapes. I have a box of them. People think this is a childhood hobby but rocks are millions of years old and they don't care how old I am. Also: I still sleep with the blanket I had as a baby. It's basically lace at this point but it's mine.

tentativefern — Dec 30, 2025, 11:26 AM (edited)

Stickers. I put them on my laptop, my water bottle, my journal. My mom told me I was "too old for stickers" but I think stickers have no age limit. They're tiny affordable art and they make me happy.

crayoncryptid — Dec 30, 2025, 12:57 PM

I watch cartoons every morning while I eat breakfast. It's part of my routine. If I don't have 22 minutes of animated comfort before I face the day, the whole day is harder. I'm 27 and I will not apologize for my morning cartoons.

plushieprotector — Dec 31, 2025, 01:39 PM (edited)

I talk to my stuffed animals. Out loud. I know they're not real but the act of speaking to something soft and non-judgmental — it helps me process things. I'm 33 and Barnaby the dragon has heard more of my honest thoughts than any therapist.

noodlearms — Jan 1, 2026, 06:13 PM

lunchables. i said it in the other thread and i'll say it again. tiny crackers, processed cheese, one (1) sad piece of ham. it's a perfect meal.

seashelleyes — Jan 2, 2026, 11:16 PM (edited)

Imaginative play. I make up little scenarios with my Jellycats — they have personalities and relationships and ongoing storylines. I used to think I was crazy for doing this at 31. Now I think it's creative and therapeutic and honestly more interesting than most of the "adult" hobbies I've tried.

latebloomerlydia — Jan 3, 2026, 01:43 AM (edited)

Reading all of these makes me feel so much less alone. I think my list is: colorful sneakers, coloring books, and soon — seashell collecting. Maybe I'll start a rock collection too. The beach near my house has wonderful smooth stones. You've all taught me something. It's not about being "too old" for something. It's about deciding that your joy doesn't have an expiration date. I'm 67 and I'm just learning this. I hope someone younger than me reads this and learns it sooner.

crispydragon32411 — Feb 26, 2026, 01:27 PM (edited)

Lydia!! I'm so happy you're still here. 💛 My list: stuffed animals (I have a bed full of them at 36), watching cartoons (Bluey is better than most "adult" television), drinking chocolate milk, and using a nightlight. I refuse to be shamed out of comfort.

bubblypancakeorchard58191 — Feb 27, 2026, 03:37 PM (edited)

42 years old and I still: - Eat dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets - Build LEGO sets - Play video games with my kids (and win) - Have a stuffed frog on my bed named Jeremiah - Get excited about snow days My father told me at 40 that I needed to "start acting my age." I asked him when he was planning to start acting his age. He didn't have an answer. Because "acting your age" is a moving target that nobody actually hits. We're all just pretending.

dizzysockbrook15342 — Feb 27, 2026, 05:47 PM (edited)

juice boxes. i'm 26 and i will drink apple juice out of a box with a straw until i die. they're portable, they're pre-portioned, and the straw is built in. it's the perfect beverage delivery system.

speedyhedgehognook160 — Feb 28, 2026, 08:51 PM (edited)

building blanket forts. when i'm really overwhelmed i take all the cushions off the couch and all the blankets in the house and i make a small enclosed space and i sit in it with my stuffie and my phone on do not disturb. it's better than any coping strategy a therapist has ever given me.

rainyotter392 — Mar 1, 2026, 12:29 AM (edited)

Swings. I'm 35 and I go to the park and swing on the swings. Sometimes there are kids there and I feel self-conscious but I do it anyway. The feeling of swinging — the rhythm, the breeze, the weightlessness at the top of the arc — it's the most regulated my nervous system ever feels.

fluffydragon064 — Mar 1, 2026, 01:45 AM (edited)

@the_raccoon_king Swings are SO underrated for adults. The vestibular input is genuinely therapeutic. More adults should swing.

happybadgergrove446 — Mar 12, 2026, 02:01 AM (edited)

I collect rocks. Not fancy crystals — just rocks I find on walks that have interesting textures or shapes. I have a box of them. People think this is a childhood hobby but rocks are millions of years old and they don't care how old I am. Also: I still sleep with the blanket I had as a baby. It's basically lace at this point but it's mine.

wonkymushroom481 — Mar 20, 2026, 01:26 AM (edited)

Stickers. I put them on my laptop, my water bottle, my journal. My mom told me I was "too old for stickers" but I think stickers have no age limit. They're tiny affordable art and they make me happy.

softjuicehill6120 — Mar 21, 2026, 11:28 PM (edited)

I watch cartoons every morning while I eat breakfast. It's part of my routine. If I don't have 22 minutes of animated comfort before I face the day, the whole day is harder. I'm 27 and I will not apologize for my morning cartoons.

bouncybadgerlair82992 — Mar 23, 2026, 09:55 AM (edited)

I talk to my stuffed animals. Out loud. I know they're not real but the act of speaking to something soft and non-judgmental — it helps me process things. I'm 33 and Barnaby the dragon has heard more of my honest thoughts than any therapist.

dizzycobweb288 — May 2, 2026, 09:55 AM

glitter. i know it's environmentally questionable and it gets everywhere but sometimes i just need something sparkly. i use biodegradable glitter now and i put it on my face sometimes just because.

chattynapbean49157 — Jul 14, 2026, 07:51 PM

@latebloomer_lydia "Your joy doesn't have an expiration date." Lydia, that's the most perfect sentence. I'm putting it on my wall. 💛💛💛

The Unadulting Society

What's something you're "too old for" that you refuse to give up?

Replies (25)