At some point, I think you just have to stop blaming your parents, your job, that one teenage girlfriend, or capitalism for being a mess. And maybe you just have to eventually grow up and fix it?
I mean, adulthood isn’t just a promotion, or a mortgage, or your first pair of prescription sunglasses. It’s mostly the quiet humiliation of realizing you’re still asking your mom how long chicken lasts in the fridge. Or that you still need your mother to accompany you to the dentist.
And also, I get it. Being a man in 2025 is confusing terrain. You’re supposed to meditate but not brag about it, dress well but not try too hard, care about skincare but still look like you “just woke up like this.” You’re told to be vulnerable, but not too vulnerable. Somewhere between the podcasts, the cold plunges, and the burnout, the basics are getting lost.
So here’s a quick recalibration: 15 simple, semi-painful reminders on how to be a good functional adult man in 2025.
Own one suit that actually fits
You don’t need a closet full of tailoring — you need just one great outfit. When it fits right, you’ll stand straighter. When it doesn’t, everyone can tell. Honestly, just get one that fits your shoulders — the rest of you can fluctuate.
Text people back. Ghosting is so 2020.
It takes three seconds to type “Can’t make it.” or "Sorry, I'm not interested." If that feels emotionally exhausting, therapy might be cheaper than your data plan. Adulthood is mostly just finishing conversations you start, so like, somewhere you’re going to have to start.
Say no when you mean no. Say sorry when you mean sorry.
You don’t need to invent elaborate excuses. “No” is a full sentence, and “sorry” is a reset button. Both are worth using before life turns into a string of half-truths and unread DMs.
Know the difference between confidence and volume.
Nobody likes the loud, obnoxious guy in the room who just won't keep quiet. If people keep saying you “dominate the room,” that’s not always a compliment.
Don’t correct people just to be right.
Nobody remembers who won the argument about the correct pronunciation of “gyro.” People remember who was exhausting to sit next to at dinner. So, who do you want to be?
Make one great cocktail, one great pasta, and one great apology.
Honestly, nothing turns a girl on more. Bonus if you can do it all in one night?
Never post a gym selfie. Ever.
If you need validation for working out, call your mother. She’ll tell you you look great and won’t screenshot your abs for a group chat roast.
Wear sunscreen. Floss. Go to the doctor before something’s wrong.
Women love men who actually pay attention to themselves and take care of themselves. We notice, just like you do. Plus honestly, this is the most basic adult thing you can do. Future you will thank you — if future you still has teeth, skin, and a functioning liver.
Don’t make your hobby a side hustle unless you truly love it.
Every man’s fantasy is to “monetize his passion.” Every man’s reality is that passion turns to paperwork. So only turn it into the paperwork if you’re ready for it. Otherwise we’ll just have to listen to you whine constantly about your poor monetary decisions.
Don’t brag about being busy. No one’s impressed.
We get it. You have meetings. You’re a “builder.” You’re the next Elon Musk. You use Google Calendar like a weapon. But we really don’t care after a certain point. That’s just life, get over it.
Don’t confuse “honesty” with “being an asshole.”
Telling people the “hard truth” doesn’t make you brave. It makes you lazy if you use it as an excuse not to have empathy.
Don’t talk down to service workers. Ever.
If you’re rude to the waiter, you’re announcing to the table that you’re literally the worst person ever. Congratulations.
Learn how to be alone.
You can’t outsource self-respect. Learn how to eat solo, travel solo, think solo. If you can’t stand your own company, why should anyone else?
Cultivate self-discipline
You don’t need to run marathons or cold-plunge — just stop bailing on yourself. Truly, nothing is sexier than a disciplined man.
Have good credit score
Please, for the love of god, build up your credit score. You'll thank yourself when you're older.
