How to be more Adultier

It has come to my attention that this weekend, I will have been out of college for three years, which really isn't that long in the grand scheme of things, but these years out of school have been almost as formative as the time I spent in it.

So here's what I've learned since graduation....

• Always carry a set of cutlery - If nothing else, at least a spoon. This is probably the most immediately useful piece of advice I can give you. When you are on the go, and you don't know when/where/how your next meal is coming from, you best be prepared to eat it. And because soup is cheap, but its something you really can't eat from your hands, you'll thank me later for insisting upon the spoon. No one wants to see you drink your soup. 
• Don't work for free. If you are putting in a full day's work, you deserve some kind of compensation. Make sure that if you are being paid in 'experience' that doesn't mean you are starving.
• If you work a job that includes 'housing', make sure your contract includes running water. You think I'm kidding. I am absolutely not kidding. I'm looking at you theater youngin's. Don't do summer stock if they can't guarantee that you won't have to use the toilet at the 24/7 Cumberland farms across the street at 2AM.
• Don't let money eat you. Don't be lackadaisical about tracking your budget, but don't let the price of things turn you off. Go to that concert, eat that dinner with your friends. The memories are worth more than the extra few bucks in your account. 
• Learn how to make your own coffee and tea. Be an adult. Make your own damn beverage and save money too. You don't need the sugar.
• Treat yourself right. Drink lots of water, make sure you get up and move (if you are in a sedentary job), make you take time to rest (if you are in a physically demanding job), Paint your nails, read books -- your mental well being is more important than anything else. If you are miserable with your job, why are you doing this job?
• Treat others right. Foster healthy relationships with friends and family. Volunteer. Don't judge everyone that you cross paths with. Negativity breeds discontent.
• Worry less. Things have a way of working themselves out if you work hard and do right by your life. 
• Eat more avocados. You can't be sad while eating an avocado. 

So there you have it. My list of advice that may or may not be useful to others. Do with it what you will, but most importantly: Put a spoon in your purse/briefcase/backpack right. now.