Waking up in the real world

I graduated last March 2014 and boy, did the world change for me. Classes that you could just cut and go out and drink at the middle of the day, copying the homework of your classmate before the teacher comes in, going into class late are no more. Growing up in the Philippines means that after graduating from college and if you're from a middle class family, you should work immediately. Unlike people who have time and money in their hands, they can just manage their family business or try other courses like culinary, photography and other things like that. As an I.T (Information Technology) graduate, the job that I landed is in a call center. At first everything was exciting and the thought of earning money fascinated me. But then everything changed once I started working, there are a lot of bills to pay, debts, taxes and many more. Then I realized that money is what keeps me going in everyday at work and taking in calls. I remembered when I was still in school that i'd just ask money from my parents and would get irritated if they will just give me just the right amount of money. Nowadays, everything that I buy, I really take care of that item because that's my hard earned money, That item is from my 40 hour work week where I sit and fix problems of customers who's not even in the same country as me.

What I want to imply is that, the world is getting more real for me. When I was going to school, current events, news about price hikes, taxes did not bother me, but now, when I hear that the Jeepney fare will go down 1 Peso, that brightened up my day because I know, that I could save two pesos everyday (I ride two jeepneys from my house to my work place). Becoming more mature month after month made me think about a lot of things, am I going the right direction? Is this the correct path for me? Will I be able to support my family in the future? These are just a few of the many questions that are popping into my mind day after day after day. It feels like i'm growing up. When did you realize that you're growing up and becoming more mature?