Biologically it’s possible to indicate the approximate age when a person reaches full physical maturity. However, emotional maturity is more challenging to define or distinguish. While physical and emotional maturity are subjective, typically, a person reaches physical maturity before becoming emotionally mature. For example, it’s likely that a teenager would be physically mature but not emotionally mature enough to become a parent.
In fact, one study showed that the average man doesn’t reach full emotional maturity until age 43, while women mature by age 32. That’s an 11-year difference! Yet, again, the topic is very subjective. And while there are no tools (yet) available to determine the exact age one becomes ‘ripe,’ there are so-called signs of maturity. Similarly to how psychological conditions are diagnosed via symptoms, so can full psychological maturation be determined by signs of emotional maturity.
While signs of maturity in a man and woman may differ, gendering signs of maturity is irrelevant. So what exactly are those cues that a person has reached full emotional growth? When a Reddit user came in with the same question, numerous people chimed in in a Reddit thread sharing their personal experiences and the various signs of a mature man or woman.
Below, we’ve gathered some of their most upvoted answers sharing signs of a mature person. Do you agree with any of these statements? Which behavior or state of mind would you consider a sign of maturity? At what stage of emotional maturity would you consider yourself to be right now? Let us know!
#1
“When you realize 5k is a lot of money to spend, but not a lot of money to have.”
Image source: SpaceCricket
#2
“When you have an opinion on something and once presented with new facts you are open to changing your opinion.”
Image source: j-sap
#3
“Letting someone win an argument so you can move on.”
Image source: account deleted
#4
“Knowing when your night is over and you should probably go home.”
Image source: Monstance
#5
“Realizing you’re not as smart as you think.”
Image source: reddit.com
#6
“When you realize how amazing naps really are.”
Image source: reddit.com
#7
“Patience. Understanding that not everything can be fixed immediately, and making peace with the fact that some things just take time.”
Image source: Tchernobog11
#8
“I was always told ‘character is how you treat those who can do nothing for you’, which to me sounds like a good standard for maturity.”
Image source: yoh97
#9
“Being able to admit when your worst enemy has a good idea.”
Image source: charonn0
#10
“When you consistently do the right thing for the right reasons – even if it involves sacrifice on your part.”
Image source: Back2Bach
#11
“Knowing which priorities to put first.”
Image source: vegansamurai
#12
“When you know you’re right but don’t feel the need to correct someone on it.”
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#13
“When you act and think the same whether you are alone or with others.”
Image source: Endosymbiotical
#14
“I’ve heard this one and it has stuck with me: ‘When your mom comes to you for advice.'”
Image source: Yasori
#15
“When someone hurts you and you try to understand them.”
Image source: Kelfuma
#16
“You have purchased a ladder.”
Image source: echo_098
#17
“Not caring about how you look to others so long as you like yourself and are having a good time.”
Image source: reddit.com
#18
“You become an adolescent when you realize your parents are human beings just like everyone else. You become an adult when you forgive them for it.”
Image source: senatorskeletor
#19
“Having alcoholic drinks in the house that are not drunk on the day of purchase.”
Image source: spunkbunny
#20
“Not buying every new iPhone model.”
Image source: w3bCraw1er
#21
“Eating a sandwich using the heel of the loaf of bread.”
Image source: MFCH
#22
“Sometimes it’s better for an argument to never happen than for you to win it.”
Image source: account deleted
#23
“Understanding the difference between needs and wants.”
Image source: corraidhin
#24
“Knowing when to put others before yourself and when you need to prioritize yourself.”
Image source: MojosJojo
#25
“Honesty (to yourself) about what you want.”
Image source: atxstudent
#26
“Fully understanding that there are many different ways of looking at a problem and that not everyone will understand that.”
Image source: CheesyRomanceNovel
#27
“Being happy and proud for the successful people in your life without comparing yourself to them and at the same time being proud of your your own life.”
Image source: jeepngun
#28
“Being able to make a sincere apology. ‘I’m sorry you took it that way’ is not a sincere apology.”
Image source: senatorskeletor
#29
“Not venting on social media about personal affairs.”
Image source: reddit.com
#30
“Be in charge of your own nutrition and health!”
Image source: L0C0B0X
#31
“Checking your eggs at the grocery store.”
Image source: bribri_22
#32
“Stop complaining and just do it.”
Image source: bawzzz
#33
“Not having the urge to laugh when the ketchup bottle farts.”
Image source: Planethamster14
#34
“Showing up on time.”
Image source: kritterlitter
#35
“I don’t need to tell people they’re doing something wrong unless they ask me for my advice. I still often find myself biting my lip trying not to correct someone but I’m learning!”
Image source: reddit.com
#36
“Not getting embarrassed about necessary purchases. As a teenager and young woman, I got antsy purchasing tampons, picking up my birth control and even buying toilet paper.”
Image source: smushy_face
#37
“Ohh, the weather is finally warm and sunny, what a good day to do laundry.”
Image source: Googalyfrog
#38
“When you realize that just because something is for children, it doesn’t mean it’s childish.”
Image source: Ikkad
#39
“Knowing that you aren’t entitled to anything in life, even your life.”
Image source: ae1177
#40
“When social problems become your problems.”
Image source: maligenligen
#41
“When you announce you’re going to have a baby and people are happy for you instead of saying, ‘Oh, is everything okay?'”
Image source: reddit.com
#42
“Drinking a few beers makes you wanna go to bed instead of partying.”
Image source: ProfessorHearthstone
#43
“Knowing when you’re hanging out with the wrong people and actively making a change.”
Image source: reddit.com
#44
“You don’t get upset when you are not liked.”
Image source: sunsurf23
#45
“Being able to walk away when you should. Whether it be a confrontation, relationship or bad situation.”
Image source: monsterr101
#46
“I bought floss the other day.”
Image source: redditho24602
#47
“When you stop testing boundaries and start navigating them.”
Image source: MrProsserDreamsOfWar
#48
“When you stop rooting for Jerry and start rooting for Tom.”
Image source: stormtrooper1701
#49
“Eating things you don’t like just because they’re healthy.”
Image source: anotheravaliablecat
#50
“Being a coachable person.”
Image source: TheMightyRicardooon
#51
“Not needing to have other people to feel complete.”
Image source: Nicodemus_Reborn
#52
“I just asked for nice wools socks for my birthday, so there’s that.”
Image source: nuclearairplane
#53
“When teenagers start annoying you.”
Image source: redditeando
#54
“Being able to answer a question with ‘I don’t know’, instead of making something up or just talking around the question to cover up a lack of knowledge.”
Image source: jeff_thomson
#55
“Letting conversations go before they turn into arguments.”
Image source: reddit.com
#56
“Empathy. When you finally learn to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, you become a bit more humble.”
Image source: reddraconi
#57
“Paying all of your bills before anything else.”
Image source: erickadue32
#58
“Appreciating the taste of prunes.”
Image source: lillalilly
#59
“A high level of critical thinking that comes from experience or perspective.”
Image source: TheZardoz
#60
“When others seek out your advice.”
Image source: lykewtf
#61
“Sometimes I wake up at 6 am. Just naturally. And instead of going back to sleep I get up and do dishes or something.”
Image source: teazelbranchlet
#62
“Keeping promises even when it’s hard.”
Image source: becauseisaidiwould
#63
“When you answer e-mails just as quickly as you do texts.”
Image source: Jake682
#64
“Telling your children they are being irresponsible when they are doing what you did.”
Image source: blixt141
#65
“This is also a sign of maturity: recognizing your own flaws, owning up to them, and actively trying to work on them!”
Image source: silverside30
#66
“Not making excuses for a failure and owning it. It’s amazing how many adults still haven’t gotten this down.”
Image source: Hellkyte
#67
“Being able to delay gratification and do something you really don’t want to do. I think that’s one of the biggest differences between maturity and immaturity.”
Image source: table_fireplace
#68
“Being able to swallow your ego and apologize even if you don’t necessarily think you’ve done anything wrong. ‘I completely understand your point and sincerely apologize for the lapse in communication,’ instead of ‘Can’t you read, I clearly said that.'”
Image source: account deleted
#69
“Not letting the dishes ‘soak’ over night.”
Image source: wideawakefordays
#70
“Someone is mature when they can brush off insults with a laugh and not hold any kind of grudge. Someone is mature when they are focused on BEING a good person, not LOOKING like a good person.”
Image source: account deleted
#71
“I feel like it’s when you realize you’re not the center of the world and start doing things for others. Immature people have no concept of anything post their own noses. Mature people realize that there’s a world full of millions, even billions, of people who could use help. Just the realization, to me, makes that person mature.”
Image source: budgiebum
#72
“When someone is yelling, and the other one is calmly talking.”
Image source: account deleted
#73
“Accepting that you were wrong, in public.”
Image source: crankypants15
#74
“Not contacting your ex after a breakup.”
Image source: bromatologist
#75
“Doing puzzle night on a Saturday night. Actually, having a puzzle night in general.”
Image source: princessrhubarb
#76
“Having friends of different political stripes than yourself.”
Image source: dronemoderator
#77
“How about being able to focus on solving the problem, not on blaming the person who made it.”
Image source: ParallelPain
#78
“Doing what’s right for the long-term, despite the guarantee of short-term pain.”
Image source: XtremeGuy5
#79
“Being able to recognize your own flaws, and then work on improving them. Accept people as they are and focus on yourself, overall just do everything in your power to be a better person.”
Image source: lookmomatree
#80
“Not referring to people who don’t like you as ‘haters.'”
Image source: mackinoncougars
#81
“Being able to be relied on instead of relying on others.”
Image source: account deleted
#82
“Also knowing when to rely on others. Swallowing your pride and allowing those that truly care for you to help.”
Image source: noahboah
#83
“You don’t have to admit you wrong, just admit that people understand things differently and in different ways.”
Image source: IamtheHoffman
#84
“There’s a fine line between quitting and knowing nothing more can be gained. I think the maturity part comes in knifing and accepting the difference.”
Image source: Scadilla
#85
“Moderation in all things, don’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm.”
Image source: Cyno01
#86
“Knowing you can’t do what you want whenever you want for your entire life.”
Image source: Mokman7
#87
“Not taking things personally.”
Image source: seafarer2440
#88
“When the vegetable drawer in your fridge is full of vegetables instead of just beer.”
Image source: mikehockerts1
#89
“In truth, when you start wanting to take care of people and not being revolved around yourself.”
Image source: Quinnicle
#90
“Realizing that you don’t have to dress a certain way, have a certain hairstyle or a tattoo to express your individuality.”
Image source: 9bikes
#91
“Not eating to be sure that your child does.”
Image source: Got2Go
#92
“Keys. The more keys you have the more responsible you are.”
Image source: boardgamejoe
#93
“Most modern music starts to suck.”
Image source: Crowforge
#94
“When you fall asleep in the car and your parents don’t carry you to bed. That’s another hard blow from reality.”
Image source: Votermeylon
#95
“Bringing a coat.”
Image source: thesmiz
#96
“When you no longer worry about acting mature.”
Image source: jimr1603
#97
“When your friends spend an evening discussing taxes.”
Image source: wdr1
#98
“When you’re parents come to your place to visit/stay.”
Image source: 96tears
#99
“Realizing that going out to eat is a decent chunk of change for most people (especially older people), so you should always dress nice and be cordial at a lesser restaurant or a nice restaurant.”
Image source: midwest55
#100
“Knowing when to stick to your principles and when to let it be.”
Image source: panoramicjazz
#101
“You pay a lot more for a little more comfort.”
Image source: GreedAndPride
#102
“Looking forward to a soft beverage rather than a hard one.”
Image source: Rescuethat
#103
“Opening your mouth to say something, pausing, then thinking better of it.”
Image source: EdgarTFriendly
#104
“This happened a few years ago. I saw a spider on the ground outside and I was about to kill it but then I realized there was no need to and this spider was a living thing so I let it be. To me, that was a big sign that I had matured.”
Image source: FlitterMyTwitter
#105
“Not expecting people to read your mind.”
Image source: SomeClassyDude
#106
“Looking forward to doing yardwork.”
Image source: deadbird17
#107
“Doing something without being told, because you know it’s the right thing to do.”
Image source: Imperium_Dragon
#108
“Wanting to care for the well-being of your parents.”
Image source: Lykah
#109
“Acknowledging that some of the problems you are dealing with aren’t unique to you.”
Image source: Wolfenshire12
#110
“Not caring about appearing childish.”
Image source: xafimrev2
#111
“Smiling at babies.”
Image source: OldAngryWhiteMan
#112
“Having the humility to avoid needlessly talking about your accomplishments simply because an opportunity to do so comes up in conversation. If I only find out how good you are at something through another person telling me, and you’ve never bragged about it to me, I’ll be impressed.”
Image source: JasonBoring
#113
“Booking your own dentist appointment.”
Image source: jo3ly
#114
“Making room when someone is trying to move into your lane in traffic.”
Image source: blackcatsmatter
#115
“More thinking, less talking.”
Image source: Rainbow_Doughnuts23
#116
“Knowing when to be immature.”
Image source: spunkyweazle
#117
“Knowing that you’re able to have ice cream for dinner but choosing a healthy, balanced meal instead.”
Image source: driveonacid
#118
“I realised I was an adult when I started paying for my own Netflix.”
Image source: Clark2312
#119
“When you no longer allow anyone to intimidate you.”
Image source: 2old2care
#120
“Wearing a watch not for fashion’s sake.”
Image source: philosofik
#121
“When you are presented with the option of the better choice or the better story, you decide to go with the better choice.”
Image source: tiramisu_motor
#122
“When someone tells you things you already know, you don’t have to say ‘I know that already.'”
Image source: gosutag
#123
“Having accent furniture.”
Image source: Raindropstorm
#124
“When you start to like the outside of an Oreo better than the inside.”
Image source: NahMateYouAre
#125
“Not talking about people behind their backs.”
Image source: mysecretonlinealias
#126
“Buying life insurance.”
Image source: slavetotheinternetz
#127
“Learning to appreciate and care for what you already have, not constantly strive for the next thing you want.”
Image source: robinson217
#128
“Listening to discussions on the radio and deliberately tune in.”
Image source: InFerYes
#129
“My friend and I had a very adult moment when we had a 20 minute conversation about dish soap.”
Image source: Stenchr
#130
“Providing a cheese plate when hosting a party.”
Image source: bingbongbalbo
#131
“Knowing when to be mature.”
Image source: Scouterfly
#132
“Liking salad.”
Image source: LastCatastrophe
#133
“Agreeing with the Dad instead of Ariel in ‘The Little Mermaid.'”
Image source: misslucky57
#134
“Knowing the difference between being serious and being mature.”
Image source: SweetChiliCharles
#135
“Being excited about new socks at Christmas.”
Image source: philly3D
#136
“Paying your bills before going out for drinks.”
Image source: noovaper
#137
“Acting with confidence doing something, especially in a leadership position, when you have no idea what to do.”
Image source: cruxfire
#138
“When you do laundry and you separate your dark and light colors.”
Image source: WGBWooWGBW
#139
“Not being disappointed from people’s changes.”
Image source: winndixie
#140
“You become a more courteous driver.”
Image source: GreenEclipz
#141
“Not eating a whole bottle of gummy vitamins in one sitting.”
Image source: VishP87
#142
“Letting someone else get the last piece of cake.”
Image source: _karmachameleon_
#143
“When you feel guilty for your parents giving you money.”
Image source: dirty_commentary
#144
“Effectively working in a group even though you hate most of your groupmates.”
Image source: cuntbang
#145
“Not getting upset when someone has the same outfit as you at a party.”
Image source: HowDo_I_TurnThisOn
#146
“Wanting more cake than frosting.”
Image source: Carvinrawks
#147
“When ‘You need to be more mature’ isn’t your first defense if things aren’t going your way.”
Image source: ApocaRUFF
#148
“Ordering fish at a restaurant.”
Image source: atsports3
#149
“White crystals on cheddar cheese or brown spots on banana. They’re just ripe enough to consume.”
Image source: falkelord
#150
“The ability to be absolutely immature and not care.”
Image source: ac_eskimo
#151
“Being able to discuss menstruation (as a male). It was when I was able to ask my girlfriend confidently about it, after being an ignorant teen throughout secondary school, I realized it’s really not that bad.”
Image source: WoodleyAM
#152
“Getting excited about buying a new washer and dryer.”
Image source: marvel-ing
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