At what age did you actually feel like an adult in Singapore?

Random late-night thought.

We always talk about “adulting” — paying bills, working full-time, filing taxes, planning retirement — but when did you genuinely feel like you became an adult?

Was it when:

• You started paying for your own phone bill?
• You moved out?
• You supported your parents financially?
• You got your first full-time paycheck?
• You realised no one is coming to “save” you?

In Singapore context especially:

• NS delays some milestones for guys
• Property prices make moving out hard
• Many of us stay with parents into our late 20s
• Career competition is intense

So what really defines adulthood here?

Is it:

1. Financial independence?
2. Emotional maturity?
3. Taking responsibility for family?
4. Making long-term decisions (insurance, investments, BTO)?
5. Or just surviving without calling your mum every time something breaks?

Also curious:

• Do you think our generation matures later compared to our parents?
• Does earning more automatically make you “more adult”?
• If you’re in your 30s/40s, do you still feel like you’re winging it?

Would love to hear different perspectives. I feel like nobody really talks about this honestly — everyone just pretends they’ve figured it out.

Let’s discuss.