People Are Sharing The Adult Versions Of Finding Out Santa Doesn't Exist, And Some Of These Hurt My Soul
If you're familiar with the phrase "wearing rose-colored glasses," then you know being blissfully unaware sometimes has its perks. So, when Reddit user Just_Surround_2108 asked, "What is the adult version of finding out that Santa Claus doesn't exist?" people chimed in with examples in everything from the workplace to relationships. Here's what they had to say:
1."When you realize everyone is just faking it 'til they make it."
"When I was a kid, I thought adults had everything figured out and couldn't wait to grow up so I could be like them."
"That there are no adults. Everyone's just doing their best."
2."Some friends were never really your friends."
3."Being a hard worker and good at your job doesn't necessarily mean you'll be rewarded for it."
"Finding out that hard work means they give you more work instead of a raise or promotion."
4."Finding out that your parents are people, too, with weaknesses or flaws that you were blind to when you were young."
5."As a millennial, I was raised to believe that going to college and getting a degree would guarantee me a good future job that would allow me to live comfortably."
6."Finding out that someone you have looked up to and admired your entire life is actually a horrible person."
7."When you finish eating your dinner, there is no magical person to wash the dishes, and you have to wash them yourself."
8."Sometimes there is no justice."
9."That period when your relationship switches and your parent looks to you for answers and advice, instead of them being the one with all the answers."
10."When you buy an eight-piece Tupperware set, and four pieces are lids."
11."When both your parents die. I am in my mid-50s and had my mom pass on Mother’s Day in 2022. My dad then was living with us and eventually reached in-home hospice status with a sudden stage IV cancer diagnosis. He died in January of this year, and then I got laid off from my tech job and was unemployed for 10 months. Nothing takes the wonderment and positive outlook from the world than having to empty your childhood home solo and throw everything you grew up with into a big dumpster. You're left to wonder what our lives really mean."
12."Finding out people without empathy exists. And they are hard to pin down, even after many years of exposure to them."
13."Learning that two people can love each other more than anything in this world and still not be a good fit for a long-term relationship. True and pure love isn't always enough."
14."Finding out that everything you want is not affordable."
"Realizing NOTHING is free."
15."Having to pay tax instead of getting a tax return. The first time this happened to me as a teenager shattered my heart. I had so many plans!"
16."There are no hot singles in your area."
17."Finding out you're getting older means getting uglier, less mobile, worse health, etc. You can delay poor health to an extent, but one way or another, it's coming for us all."
18."Seeing your paycheck and all the taxes deducted from it."
19."You can do everything right and still fail. The reverse is true as well."
20."Spending time trying to understand why something happened often doesn't lead to answers, and can only prolong your healing process. Sometimes closure is moving forward and not ruminating or trying to figure out why."
21."Finding out that reaching retirement is about hitting a financial number and not reaching an age."
"Finding out that this financial target is much harder to reach than you were led to believe, and it gets worse every year."
22.And finally, "Realising that no, we can't have McDonald's, because there is food in the freezer."
What's the adult equivalent of realizing Santa is not the one bringing you Christmas gifts each year? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
