Growing up is such an interesting thing because they make sure to prepare us for all aspects of adulting—except for the weird stuff we’d enjoy down the line.
We knew eventually we’d have to pay bills, settle down into various forms of commitment, and get serious about life in general. Never in a million years did we know we were going to be nearly obsessed with candles, or love walking around Home Depot.
It isn’t until you get excited about greens and beef tips being on sale at the store that you realize you’ve turned into some weird mix of all the older people in your family.
And that’s when adulting really gets fun because that’s when you start to discover things that you personally love and can’t live without. Not because they’re super special, but because they’re convenient and make your life a little easier than before.
Ready to feel like you’re doing some real adulting? Here are 5 household items that you absolutely must get your hands on soon!
Candle Warmer
What if I told you that you could still get the warm cozy vibes of a candle without even lighting it? It sounds crazy, but that’s the magic of a candle warmer!
Now I wouldn’t be surprised if you were already hip to the old school candle warmers where you place scented wax cubes into a small, bowl-shaped container, plug it in, and let the heat melt down the wax into a scent that fills the room for hours at time.
Those are great, but if you really want to keep it simple, just invest in a candle warming plate. You can sit your jar candle right on it, plug it in, and it heats up just like you lit it.
The best part is that it’s even a little safer and more convenient. No flame, can be unplugged and cooled down at any time, and your candle even lasts longer!
Plus, nothing says “adult” like cleaning your house and then lighting a candle after, so this is definitely the right investment for all of us.
Robot Vacuum and Mop
To be fully engaged in adulting means to be busier today than you were yesterday. Between family obligations, career, school, hobbies, and friends, being grown is almost a full-time job in itself. This is why chores tend to fall by the wayside, from time to time.
If you can afford a full-time maid or cleaning service, congratulations on being rich! But baby, some of us aren’t so lucky. That’s why robot mops and vacuums (and the combos where you get the robot mop and vacuum in one) are one of the best inventions yet!
The cool thing about them is that they can detect different flooring (like hardwood vs carpet) and can adjust their settings based on those unique needs.
Robot mops and vacuums are also really good at thoroughly cleaning both small and large areas and typically only need to be charged after a couple of long uses.
This is my personal favorite adulting item because when you don’t have to worry about sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming the floors, you’ve already cut your cleaning time in half.
Air Fryer (and other microwave alternatives)
Air fryers are the hottest thing on the streets since the Foreman Grill dropped! I’d honestly be surprised if you didn’t already have one because these things are cost-effective, easy to use, and make food in a similar fashion as a conventional oven. What’s not to love?
Again, an air fryer is so worth the money because it does what I think all grown up items should do—make life easier, and make adulting feel like you’ve accomplished something!
And I’ll tell you what, being able to make an entire meal in a little countertop heat machine is beyond impressive, so I’ll take that as an accomplishment.
If you didn’t know that you could do all that with an air fryer, you’re in for a surprise! Most of them come with special settings that help you cook poultry, beef, fish, potatoes, vegetables, and even reheat leftover meals to perfection.
SodaStream
If you love sparkling water or are just looking for a healthier alternative to soda, the SodaStream is for you. It’s basically a small machine that uses a CO2 cylinder to carbonate regular drinking water. And after it’s carbonated, you can add your own flavoring!
You would think the results wouldn’t be as great as what you find at the store, but that’s not the case! The water actually turns out crisp and refreshing after a few minutes.
Also, drinking out of a fancy receptacle makes you feel just a little bit more adult and sophisticated than drinking out of somebody’s aluminum can. So you might want to invest in a SodaStream just off the strength of that alone—I wouldn’t even blame you.
