Adrian Volenik
When I was a kid, I thought every adult was composed and mature. Even twenty-year-olds seemed to be at least a little bit wise.
Now that Iโm an adult, I realize that most other adults have no idea what theyโre doing with their lives. Theyโre unhappy; many are in their second marriage or divorced, and their kids are a mess.
Thatโs why I appreciate when I meet a wise and mature person for a change. Theyโre simply different, and their behaviors stick out.
What are these behaviors Iโm talking about? Well, youโre about to find out.
1) They can wait without losing their cool
Most people these days are incredibly impatient. They want everything now. But patience is more than waiting. Itโs also about keeping your cool and having a positive attitude while waiting.
Mature people understand that some things take time, and they donโt let impatience sabotage their progress.
For example, to start making good money often takes years and years of hard work. You need to learn many new things and often rise through the ranks of a company.
Yet, the prevalent images on social media are luxury cars, expensive possessions, and beautiful homes.
Thatโs why we now come to expect these things (much) sooner rather than later. Immature people donโt want to put in the hard work.
2) Instead of flipping out, they stay cool when things get tough
Wise and mature people donโt let stress or challenging situations dictate their reactions. They retain composure, think clearly, and go through difficulties without unnecessary drama.
For instance, when confronted with a health concern, a wise and mature person doesnโt let fear dominate their mindset.
They research their options, consult with professionals, go for a second opinion, and approach the situation with a proactive and composed attitude.
3) They genuinely hear what youโre saying
Itโs hard to find a good and genuine listener who wonโt want to steer the conversation to themselves every chance they get.
A person who is a good listener doesnโt just hear your words. They pay attention to the emotions behind them. They make you feel heard, valued, and understood.
Mature people check all of these boxes. Theyโre thoughtful and want to hear your story and all its intricacies.
Thatโs why when you meet a person like that, you donโt want to bore them to death with all your problems at once (no matter how tempting).
You want them to stay your friend and find out just how messed up you are way down the road.
4) They donโt jump to conclusions or criticize; theyโre open-minded
Being non-judgmental means they donโt quickly label you or your actions. Instead of casting blame, they genuinely strive to understand the reasons behind behaviors.
If someone makes a mistake at work, a wise and mature person wouldnโt immediately blame them.
Instead, theyโd examine the circumstances, understanding that everyone can have an off day or face unexpected challenges.
And when someone expresses a different political or cultural viewpoint, they wonโt immediately label them as wrong or misguided.
Theyโd engage in a respectful conversation to understand the underlying values and experiences that shape those peopleโs perspectives.
They care more about getting your perspective than proving their point.
5) Theyโre not stuck in their ways
As people get older, many often get stuck in their ways. I see this all the time. Their mentality hasnโt changed for years if not decades, and they just arenโt open to new ideas.
However, wise people have a flexibility of thought and are willing to adapt. Unlike those who become set in their beliefs and habits, these people remain open to new perspectives, ideas, and ways of doing things.
Their mental agility helps them evolve, learn, and grow continuously, unbound by rigid patterns of thinking or behaviors that delay personal development.
6) They own up to their actions instead of blaming others
Choosing to own up to their actions instead of pointing fingers is a sign that someone is pretty mature.
Itโs like saying, โYeah, I messed up, and Iโm not going to blame someone else for it.โ
When I imagine wise and mature people, I imagine them as drivers who are behind the steering wheel of their own lives.
They donโt need to pretend itโs someone elseโs fault if the car crashes or things go a bit sideways.
If you canโt do this as a bare minimum but have to go looking for all sorts of excuses for your actions, you arenโt mature and an adult, no matter how old you are.
7) They donโt dwell on the past
They donโt get stuck in what happened before. They focus on the now and the future. For example, I missed out on a significant career opportunity in the past.
And although I thought about it for some time, I didnโt constantly regret the missed chance. Instead, I focused on my current strengths and explored new opportunities that aligned much more with my skills and interests.
Although you should say yes to as many opportunities as you can, you shouldnโt take all of them. You should skip those that donโt align with your values.
Sometimes, you just need to leave money on the table and not let money blindside you.
I just wanted to illustrate that mature people donโt spend too much time thinking about their past and their regrets or missed chances.
When one door closes, another one opens, right?
And this next behavior compliments this one perfectly too.
8) Instead of complaining, they look for ways to fix things
A wise and mature person doesnโt get stuck in a cycle of complaints or negativity. They direct their attention to finding practical solutions and approach challenges with a mindset that stresses resolution and results over lamentation and crying.
If thereโs one thing you should take away from this article and from the way mature and wise people behave, itโs that you shouldnโt wait for others to fix issues.
You need to always take the initiative and deal with it yourself: Roll up your sleeves and dive into solutions.
Be the person who doesnโt just point out whatโs wrong with things but one whoโs all about how do we make it right.
9) They donโt boast or act like they know it all; theyโre down-to-earth
Think of that person who doesnโt go on and on about their achievements. They donโt need to shout from the rooftops about how great they are.
Instead, they let their actions do the talking, and they appreciate othersโ achievements just as much.
And have you ever met someone who acts like theyโve got the answer to everything? Well, a wise and mature person is the opposite:
Theyโre open to learning from others and donโt pretend to be the walking encyclopedia.
10) They feel what others are feeling and show they care
And, of course, no mature and wise person is cold or indifferent to other people and their feelings.
Theyโre just really good at understanding how people are doing emotionally. In other words, they can put themselves in your shoes, something that many people still canโt or wonโt do.
They can sense when youโre happy, sad, or just having one of those โmehโ days.
11) Theyโre curious and always looking to expand their knowledge
Theyโre the kind of person who is always curious about how things work, why things happen, and what makes the world tick.
They donโt shy away from asking questions because they genuinely want to understand.
And above all, theyโre not afraid to admit when they donโt know something. Instead of pretending to know it all, they embrace the opportunity to learn.
Asking questions, for them, is a sign of strength and a way to bridge gaps in their understanding.
Thatโs why youโll always find them engaged in meaningful conversations. Itโs not just small talk; theyโre genuinely interested in what others have to say.
Their questions go beyond scratching the surface, diving into the heart of the matter, and uncovering different perspectives.
12) They see the glass as half full, even when things are challenging
Most mature people have been through things in life. Thatโs one of the reasons theyโre so wise and mature in the first place, right?
But theyโre also the types who focus on the good stuff, even when faced with challenges. Itโs like theyโve got this built-in optimism that helps them stay positive and hopeful instead of getting dragged down by problems.
