Parenting Yourself
One of the strangest transitions in your 20s? Realizing that no one is going to barge into your room and say, “That’s enough screen time, go to sleep!” anymore. Suddenly, you're the one who has to tell yourself to go to bed, eat a vegetable, and for the love of God, stop watching YouTube at 3 a.m.
Welcome to the wild world of self-parenting.
When we were kids, structure was (mostly) handed to us. No TV until homework was done. No screens on school nights. Weekend screen time? Strictly rationed. You probably had to "go play outside" like a woodland creature. Whether we liked it or not, those rules built habits. But now that we’re adults, the training wheels are off—and sometimes we coast straight into chaos.
Especially if no one taught us how to build those habits in the first place.
So today, we’re diving into the art of becoming your own parent—without becoming a joyless drill sergeant. Here's how to do it with some grace, structure, and the occasional celebratory burrito.
1. Be the Parent You Wish You Had
Not the one who yells. The one who brings snacks, says “you’re doing great,” and reminds you gently that you don’t need to watch another episode of Love is Blind at midnight. Self-parenting isn’t about being harsh—it’s about being kind, patient, and supportive. You’re a baby adult! Of course you’ll mess up. That’s part of the learning curve.
When you slip into bad habits, don’t shame yourself—redirect. Guide. Encourage. Be the coach and the cheerleader.
2. Set Boundaries (Even When No One’s Watching)
The hardest part about adulting? There’s no tattletale. No one’s going to know you spent three hours scrolling TikTok... except you. And your phone.
So here’s the trick: keep your promises to yourself like you would for a friend.
Let’s say you told your neighbor you’d walk her dog at 7:30 a.m. You wouldn’t flake on that, right? Because the dog has a bladder, and you have integrity. So when you promise yourself you'll go to the gym, or log off by 10 p.m., or eat something green—follow through.
If it helps, picture your future self. She's counting on you. Respect her like you would your neighbor’s adorable puppy.
3. Celebrate Small Wins Like They’re a Big Deal (Because They Are)
Reduced your screen time by 30% this week? That’s not nothing. That’s a win. Treat yourself! Get a burrito. Pour a glass of wine. Light a fancy candle and vibe. Progress is worth celebrating—don’t just sprint to the next goal without enjoying the view from the mile-marker.
Being kind to yourself includes high-fiving yourself when you actually did the thing you said you would.
4. Routine is the Secret Sauce (Even If You’re a Free Spirit)
Yes, freedom is lovely. But your brain? It craves structure. It’s not about micromanaging every second—it’s about building gentle rhythms into your life so you don’t fall into a black hole of “what day is it and when did I last eat a vegetable?”
Start small. Tie new habits to things you already do.
Have a cup of coffee → go for a walk.
Log off work → prep dinner.
Brush teeth → journal for 5 minutes.
Stacking habits helps you stay grounded without feeling like you’re trapped in a productivity prison. You’re building a life you enjoy living—not just checking off a to-do list.
5. Ditch the Doomscroll
Final Thoughts: You’re the Grown-Up Now. Sort Of.
The person you’re becoming tomorrow? They’re shaped by the decisions you make today. So treat your future self like someone you really care about—because you should.
And remember: just because you’re responsible for yourself now doesn’t mean you have to do it all alone. Call a friend. Talk to your therapist. Ask for help. Self-accountability doesn’t mean self-isolation.
You’re learning. You’re growing. You’re doing great.
Now go eat a vegetable and get to bed on time.
