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10 Songs to Listen to When it Finally Hits that You’re Growing up

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at CU Boulder chapter.

Getting older sucks, but you’re not the only one that thinks so. Here’s 10 of my favorite songs to listen to when it hits me that I’m an adult with adult responsibilities now. 

#10: 2011 by 5 Seconds of Summer 

We used to talk about our lives/ And all the things we didn’t have/ We fantasized about the future/ But now we dream about the past

Remember when we couldn’t wait to grow up? I’d like to go back and tell younger me that it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be.  

#9: Kids by Current Joys 

Oh I’m no longer a kid/ And everything has changed/ There’s nothing in my heart/ And lightning in my brain

A brutal reality when you realize that everything is different and the childhood innocence and spark is gone now. :( 

#8: It’s Not The Same Anymore by Rex Orange County 

It’s only four o’clock and still, it’s been a long day/ I just wanna hit the hay

Being an adult means being tired. All. The. Time. 

#7: I Know The End by Phoebe Bridgers 

Close my eyes, fantasize/ Three clicks and I’m home

Missing the familiarity of home, but you know it will never be the same.

#6: Getting Older by Billie Eilish 

I’m gettin’ older, I’ve got more on my shoulders/ But I’m gettin’ better at admitting when I’m wrong

Getting older = more responsibilities (yuck) but also self growth (yay!) 

#5: Vienna by Billy Joel 

Slow down, you’re doin’ fine/ You can’t be everything you wanna be/Before your time

A nice reminder to take a step back and experience life, don’t just live it. :) 

#4: Older by Alec Benjamin 

Guess my childhood is over, now I’m taking down my posters/ And I’m putting all my things inside a box next to a toaster/ That’s my closest thing to closure, I can’t stop this roller coaster/ I’m not ready to get older, I’m not ready to get older

Is anyone ever ready to get older? 

#3: Starting Line by Luke Hemmings 

I wake up every mornin’ with the years ticking by/ I’m missin’ all these memories, maybe they were never mine/ I feel the walls are closin’, I’m runnin’ out of time/ I think I missed the gun at the starting line

Anyone else feel like they’re behind in their life compared to their peers, raise your hands!  

#2: Ribs by Lorde 

And I’ve never felt more alone/ It feels so scary, getting old

Growing up is … bittersweet. And lonely. And terrifying. 

#1: Rivers and Roads by The Head and The Heart 

Been talkin’ ’bout the way things change/ And my family lives in a different state

At its core, growing up means leaving your hometown friends and family behind as everyone is getting older and moving away :( 

Link to the full playlist:

Eera Vedavyas

CU Boulder '26

Eera Vedavyas is an editor and contributing writer at the Her Campus Chapter at the University of Colorado Boulder. Beyond Her Campus, Eera is a sophomore at CU Boulder studying Psychology with a minor in Business. Their writing journey began in middle school after being inspired to write a novel. Now, her writing experience has evolved too poetry, journalistic writing, and is currently editing her first novel that she hopes to publish one day. In their free time, they enjoy reading, learning how to cook, discovering new music, playing video games, and exploring new places.