We're told Gen Z is redefining adulthood. Sometimes I think we just can't afford the old definition.

The author worries that adulthood will never come for her.

Courtesy of the author I'm almost 26 and have built a career I'm proud of as a travel journalist.

Many of my friends have good jobs but can't afford homes, weddings, or children.

I worry my generation is growing older before getting the adulthood we expected.

In the weeks that followed high school graduation , I recall the collective panic among some of my girl friends already worrying that their time was running out — since in their mind, the timer just started.

They officially began counting the months they had remaining to complete enough internships to qualify for an entry-level position at a company that could prepare them to be accomplished in their career by the time they're ready to have children with the husband they'd successfully met and dated long enough to marry, buy a home and begin a family with.

That was not me.

I feel behind Even as a teenager, I had understood that 30 was the new 20 and that none of the graduates who'd walked that stage before me looked any better positioned to grow up than I did.

But now, as I quickly age out of Leonardo DiCaprio's dating pool, I'm feeling more behind than ever before.

The author feels left behind in terms of adulthood milestones.

Courtesy of the author I mean, Gisele Bundchen had reached the absolute peak of her modeling career at 25, Blake Lively was already Serena van der Woodsen by her mid 20s and — to escape examples limited to Leo's romantic interests — if I were Valentina Tereshkova, I would be preparing to be shot into outer space right now.

Instead, I don't know anybody my age nearing the purchase of a house.

In fact, I know very few people in their 30s who managed to acquire real estate, let alone get married and have children.

And I think that's why growing up is suddenly so terrifying.