These 10 people who are a better grown up than you will make you happy and sad all at once. Ladies and gentlemen in their teens and early twenties who just seem to have this being a grown up thing handled… Let’s all agree to try harder.
Being a grown up is hard.
It takes juggling a whole bunch of responsibilities while you forge your path in life trying to figure our who you are and what’s next for you. So nothing annoys us more than someone out “grown-up-ing” us and whether it be in the world of flash and fortune or science and politics it happens. Read more about them.
1. Malala Yousafzai
When standing for education for girls, banned in her region by the Taliban, almost cost her life, you would’ve forgiven Malala if she had decided it was all too hard. But in true grown up fashion, you dusted herself off (a gross understatement) and got back to work. Now a Noble Peace Prize winner this now 18-year-old continues to fight for the right to education for women and girls in areas where it is denied them. Rock star.
Read more about Malala on Wikipedia or pretty much any news outlet that covers genuine news and good stuff.
2. Cynthia Sin Nga Lan
Cynthia, an Australian teen has designed a portable water filtration device that create hydrogen as part of the process to make electricity. I mean, come on, sometimes I can’t get my Netflix to work! Entering her H2Pro device into the Google Science Fair (where she was a finalist) has given Cynthia the platform to further develop her device for underdeveloped countries where access to clean water and electricity can and will save lives. High five Cynthia!
3. Kendall Jenner
A lot of people will sign that the youngest members (well generation A) of the Kardashian/Jenner clan have made this list. Born into privilege it’s easy to underestimate the career that at just 19 Kendall has created for herself. Now an international model on catwalks and print, Kendall also has her fingers in many entrepreneurial pies (hello Kardashian) including a fashion line with younger sister Kylie. Kendall boasts a personal estimated net worth of approx $3 million dollars. Whoa. I don’t know about you, but last week I was digging in my couch for spare change…
Follow Kendall’s adventures on her action packed Instagram account.
4. Kylie Jenner (because, well sisters)
You really can’t have one without the other so Ms. Kylie joins the list now as a homeowner and recent high school graduate at the ripe old age of 17. Sheesh. Known for her role in the family television franchise Kylie has a number of endorsed products and personal brands under her cinched belt. Also estimated to be worth almost $3 million dollars, it’s hard not daydream about what life must be like for the superstar who was recently crowned THE MOST WATCHED person on Snapchat. With a house, career and legacy on track by 17, I can’t help but feel a little behind the eight ball.
Keep tabs on what is next for the new grad via her Instagram.
5. Anna-Sophia Boguraev
And from reality tv to reality, let me introduce you to Anna-Sophia. This 17-year-old managed to isolate DNA in her blender (I assume that’s a feat, I really have no idea!) has just won the right to conduct an experiment in space. That’s a long way from the family kitchen. She will study the effects on space on the immune system. So basically, this teen could very well be the reason we can move to Earth 2.0 one day. Always thinking of the future those grown-ups are, always.
Read more about what is next for Anna-Sophia here.
6. Margaret Hamilton
From a time when code was typing and considered secretaries work comes the impressive Margaret Hamilton. Owner of killer legs and a giant stack of code required to get Apollo 11 to the moon. You know the mission right? One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind… THAT Apollo 11. She might have just been doing her job but we condiser this grown-up envy worthy because being responsible for the entire space effort seems pretty darn grown up to us! I don’t even like to be in charge of house plants. Eeeek.
Read more about this Queen of Code here.
7. Mihir Garimella
After experiencing the difficulty that comes from attempting to eradicate a fruit fly kitchen takeover, Mihir Garimella, Google Science Fair winner, started researching the flying patterns, dynamics and methods of the fruit fly with the hopes to applying it to drone-like technology for use in rescues. When your mother told you to make lemonades out of lemons, I think this is the supersized version of that. Bonus grown up points for not just using fly spray.
8. Jennifer Lawrence
Actress, model, director, all round girl crush; Jennifer Lawrence is everything I’d like to be when I grow up. And by that I mean unashamedly herself. Her role in giving a voice to the awkward, to the pressure faced by women and after her role in Silver Linings Playback mental health, makes her a superstar grown up. Plus a Dior wardrobe at your fingertips doesn’t hurt. The second-youngest women to ever win the Best Actress award, J-Law is my personal hero and personal grown-up shame all in one. Last year, I lodged my taxes on time, that was the highlight. Gosh.
Now the fabulous J-Law is a little thanks but no thanks to social media but stay up to date with her upcoming works via the official Facebook page.
9. Taylor Swift
If you look around on the interwebs you would be hard pressed to find a corner of the web that doesn’t mention Taylor Swift, everything from her stellar Girl Gang skills to her recent album success. But it was her request that Apple properly compensate artists for their work that earns her a spot on the super grown-ups list. Standing up for what you believe in is the pinnacle of it and if it helps other up and coming artists, then even better. Mother hen Swift is a role model to millions fo girls, boys and grown ups worldwide because she’s just so darn relatable and nice. Good job Taylor, you’re making us all look bad.
For all things Taylor Swift, bookmark her website or follow the links to her Tumblr and Instagram accounts where she is super active.
10. Ciara Judge, Émer Hickey and Sophie Healy-Thow
This dynamic triple threat from Ireland has found a way for farmers to increase the germination and growth of legume crops with the view to easing world hunger. Seriously. When pageant entrants say they want to stop world hunger, these teens and their garden have done something about it. With the hopes of being able to grow a larger, more sustainable crop without using more land or other resources, this could impact how food is grown now and in the future. And I for one, fan that I am of food, thank them.
The good news is though, that as far as the dark side of this list goes, the train wrecks and child star implosions, you are absolutely doing better than they are. Though you’re probably a little broker, but their time with come. Ask 50 cent.
If you’ve managed to nod along with the list of people who are better grown up types than you, maybe list a few more in your head, deal with their successes, then take a bit of inspiration from what they’ve managed to achieve. And know this, getting through school, holding down a job, being a good person, they totally count too.
Melissa is the Leave Home Blog Boss. She is living the high life in her hometown, didn’t finish her marketing degree & drinks too much on a Thursday night. Blogging since 2009, Melissa decided to put everything she knows into making The Leave Home Blog a light & easy how-to guide for being a grown up.