Twenty-eight has been the most emotional, searching year of my life to-date.  I woke up one morning with a mild anxiety attack about money - the first time I've ever freaked out to that level about something. I was/am fully employed in a well-paying,  professional job, making nearly twice what I was making just 3 years ago, so what gives? Well, I've recently accrued more debt than I ever imagined without having a house to blame, and I've entered full out adulthood I realized.  I fought it every step of the way this year.  Adulthood is a good place for someone my age to be, but anyone who is an adult can appreciate why I would fight it.  Waking up afraid the timing of my direct deposit would sync up with my automatic payments so as to avoid a multitude of $30 overdraft fees.  Failing to fall asleep because I just got home after spending some surreal hours living someone else's suburban, steak house life to realize you can really care for someone and it not be right for you.  Standing, shaking as emotions get the better of you and your rational brain can't explain why you can't stop sobbing even though you know you shouldn't be.  Falling into a rut so slowly you see it engulf you, but wanting the comfort of its familiarity and confirmation over dealing with adulthood and life.  I'm two months from 29, and I'm still standing... dare I say thriving despite adulthood laying its claim on me.  I'm out of the rut, and cautious about falling into another one.  I still am living paycheck to paycheck despite being a professional now.  I still don't fully understand my emotional self.   But, what's 29 for if not to see how this all is going to work itself out?