# The Adult Model. A practical guide for the lazy (simply about the main things)

Yuri Starostin

This book opens your eyes to life and puts the helm for steering your own life in your hands. Now you are both the owner and the captain. And it’s only up to you to decide where and how to move. This book was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence. Heads-up: You are the main manager of your body and your life. Move calmly and confidently — you are a full-fledged participant in the movement.

# The Adult Model. A practical guide for the lazy (simply about the main things). Yuri Starostin

© Yuri Starostin, 2026


ISBN 978-5-0069-8588-9

Created with Ridero smart publishing system

## Chapter 1. Differentiation

Sign 1. Differentiates themselves from their emotions


The Essence

An emotion is not you. It comes and goes. You are the one who can observe it, name it, and decide how to react to it.

When a person does not differentiate themselves from an emotion, they say: “I am angry” (they merge with it). Anger controls their words and actions.

When they do differentiate: “Anger is rising in me. I feel it, but I can choose what to do next.”


Why This Matters

— You stop being a puppet of your impulses.

— You gain that pause between stimulus and reaction — the very space where freedom is born.

— You reduce the number of regrets about what you said and did.


How to Apply It in Life

Step 1. Notice the body signal

An emotion always comes through the body: clenched jaw, rapid breathing, tense shoulders. Learn to catch this signal as the first alert.

Exercise: During the day, stop 3—5 times for a minute and ask: “What is my body feeling right now?” Don’t judge, just notice.

Step 2. Name the emotion

As soon as you notice a body signal, name the emotion with one word: “anger,” “anxiety,” “resentment,” “shame,” “joy.” Naming already separates it from you.

Helper phrase: “Right now, ___ is awakening in me.”

Step 3. Take a pause

Before acting (especially if the emotion is strong), pause for at least 3—5 seconds. You can exhale slowly. In that pause, you are no longer in the emotion — you are the observer.

Step 4. Choose your reaction

Now you can decide: say what would have rolled off your tongue, or respond differently. You can say nothing, ask for clarification, or step away to breathe.


Example

— Before: Your boss says something unfair. Anger flares up inside you, you snap back, then regret it.

— After: You feel your jaw tighten, realize: “This is anger.” You pause, exhale. Then calmly say: “I hear you. I need a moment to process this, let’s come back in 10 minutes.”


What Regular Practice Will Give You

— Calmness in conflicts.

— Fewer emotional outbursts.

— The ability to choose, not just react.

— Gradually, the pause will start happening automatically.


The Main Point

You don’t become unfeeling. You become the master of your feelings, not their slave. Emotions remain — they are necessary and important. But now they serve you, not control you.


By the way, the ability to name your emotion is a powerful step toward freedom.

## Chapter 2. Management

Sign 2. Manages their reactions


The Essence

If the first sign teaches you to notice an emotion, the second teaches you to choose what to do with it. You don’t suppress feelings or pretend they aren’t there. You simply decide what form to give your reaction.

Managing a reaction means not letting the first impulse (word, action, silence) determine the outcome of a situation.


Why This Matters

— You stop “lashing out” at loved ones, colleagues, children.

— Your words and actions start working for you, not against you.

— You gain the respect of others: being around you becomes safe and predictable.

— You save the energy you used to spend on the consequences of uncontrolled reactions.


How to Apply It in Life

Step 1. Realize that a choice exists

Many people live with the mindset: “I have a short temper, I can’t help it.” That’s a lie. There’s always a choice. Even silence is a choice. The key is to notice the moment when choice is still possible (before the word flies out).

Step 2. Use the “Freeze Frame” technique

When you feel you’re about to say or do something you’ll regret later:

— Mentally say “Stop.”

— Hold your breath for a couple of seconds.

— Ask yourself: “Which reaction will help me now, and which will hurt me?”

Even this single brake is enough to exit automatic mode.

Step 3. Choose the form of your reaction

You have at least three options:

— Speak directly (but calmly, without aggression).

— Stay silent (if it’s better not to make things worse right now).

— Take a pause (“I need to think,” “Let’s come back to this in 10 minutes”).

Choose the one that preserves your dignity and doesn’t destroy the relationship.

Step 4. Practice on small things

Don’t wait for a big conflict. Train on small stuff:

— Didn’t respond to a rude comment online — that’s practice.

— Didn’t honk in traffic — practice.

— Instead of “you always…” said “I feel…” — practice.


Example

— Before: A child spills juice. You explode: “You always do this! You’re so clumsy!” The child cries, you’re angry, the evening is ruined.

— After (with reaction management): Juice is spilled. You feel anger. Mental “stop,” exhale. Ask yourself: “What will help now?” Instead of yelling, you say: “Oops, it happened. Let’s wipe it up together, then pour a new one. Here’s a cloth.” The child is calm, you’re calm, no conflict.


What Regular Practice Will Give You

— You’ll become calmer and more confident.

— Others will stop fearing your outbursts.

— In difficult situations, you will act, not just react.

— The quality of your relationships will noticeably improve.


The Main Point

Managing reactions isn’t about “bottling everything up” or being a robot. It’s about choosing when to express an emotion and when to hold back. The art is not in suppression but in timeliness and proportion. Start small, and soon you’ll notice that a calm, conscious reaction comes more and more easily.


By the way, self-control begins with managing your reactions.

## Chapter 3. Self-Reliance

Sign 3. Makes decisions independently


The Essence

This is the ability to choose without looking to others’ expectations, without shifting responsibility, without endlessly asking “what will people think?” You take authorship of your choice.

An independent decision doesn’t mean “don’t listen to anyone.” It means: listen, weigh, but make the final verdict yourself and bear the responsibility for it.


Why This Matters

— A life where others make decisions for you (parents, boss, partner, “the way things turned out”) stops being yours.

— Refusing to choose is also a choice — only it hands control over to circumstances or other people.

— The ability to decide is like a muscle. Without training, it atrophies. The more often you choose for yourself, the easier it becomes.


How to Apply It in Life

Step 1. Stop waiting for the “right answer” from outside

There’s no magic instruction manual on how to live your life. Ready-made solutions, advice, horoscopes, checklists of “how it should be” — those are crutches. They can help, but the final choice is yours.

Step 2. Gather information, but don’t drown in it

Get the facts, ask for opinions from people you trust, imagine the consequences. But don’t get stuck in endless analysis. The perfect solution doesn’t exist.

Step 3. Set a deadline

Give yourself a time limit: “I’ll make my decision by Friday evening.” Without a deadline, you can agonize for years, living life in a state of suspension.

Step 4. Make your choice and don’t look back

You’ve made a decision — now follow through. Doubts and thoughts of “what if I’m wrong” will always be there. But as you move forward, you gain experience, which is more valuable than being right. A mistaken decision that you lived through is worth more than the “right” one that someone else made for you.

Step 5. Accept the consequences as the price of your freedom

If something goes wrong — that’s your lesson. Don’t look for someone to blame. You chose, you answer for it. And that’s not a punishment, it’s a sign of maturity.


Example

— Before: You’re offered a new job. You ask everyone for advice, hesitate for weeks, fear making a mistake, end up staying at your old place, and then regret it.

— After: You gather information, weigh the risks, give yourself three days to think. On the third day, you say: “I choose this job. If I’m wrong — I’ll get through it and learn my lesson.” And you go.


What Regular Practice Will Give You

— The feeling of drifting with the current disappears.

— You begin to respect yourself: you are capable of choosing.

— You stop tormenting yourself looking for the “only right” solution — you look for “good enough” and go for it.

— Responsibility stops being scary; it just becomes the price of freedom.


The Main Point

Making your own decisions isn’t about “always being right.” It’s about authorship. You write your own life, even if you write in rough drafts, with smudges and corrections. The one who chooses for you is writing for you. And that’s no longer your life.

## Chapter 4. Independence

Sign 4. Is not dependent on the opinions of others


The Essence

Being independent of others’ opinions doesn’t mean “spit on everyone” or “be deaf to feedback.” It means that your self-esteem, your decisions, and your mood are not held hostage by others’ judgments.

Listen — yes. Consider it, if it’s useful — yes. But let someone else’s word define who you are and what you do — no.


Why This Matters

— As long as you depend on others’ opinions, you’re easily manipulated (by praise, criticism, condemnation).

— You spend a huge amount of energy on “how I look,” “what will they think,” “what if they judge me.”

— You stop doing what you really need because you’re afraid of being disliked.

— Independence from others’ opinions is the foundation for all the other signs: if you’re looking over your shoulder, you can’t make independent decisions (Sign 3) or manage your reactions (Sign 2).


How to Apply It in Life

Step 1. Separate facts from interpretations

When someone expresses an opinion about you, ask yourself:

— Is this a fact (objective, measurable) or someone’s judgment (opinion, taste, mood)?

— A fact can be verified and perhaps taken into account. A judgment tells you about the speaker, not about you. “You were late” is a fact. “You’re irresponsible” is a judgment.

Step 2. Ask yourself: “Is this person an authority for me on this topic?”

If a friend who knows nothing about finance criticizes your investments, you can politely ignore their opinion. If an expert gives sound advice — it’s worth considering. But even an expert’s advice you accept or reject yourself.

Step 3. Track the triggers of fear of judgment

When you’re afraid of what others might think, ask:

— What exactly am I afraid of? (Judgment, ridicule, loss of respect?)

— Is it realistic? Or am I imagining a catastrophe?

— If it happens, will I survive? (Yes, I will survive. I can handle it.)

Step 4. Practice “small acts of independence”

Start small:

— Wear what you like, even if it’s “not fashionable.”

— Say “no” to a request that’s inconvenient for you, without long justifications.

— State your opinion in a group, even if it doesn’t match the majority’s.

— Each such step strengthens the muscle of independence.

Step 5. Accept that you can’t please everyone

This is an axiom. Even the most pleasant person irritates someone. Trying to please everyone, you are guaranteed to lose. It’s far better to be yourself and find those who are interested in you just as you are.


Example

— Before: A colleague says in front of everyone: “Your idea is a total failure.” You blush, start making excuses, then agonize for days, replay the conversation mentally, feel worthless.

— After: The colleague says the same thing. You note mentally: “That’s his opinion, not a fact.” You calmly reply: “I see it differently. Can you explain why you think that?” You listen, take rational points into account, but don’t abandon your idea if you still believe in it. In the evening, you don’t rehash the incident because your worth isn’t defined by his words.


What Regular Practice Will Give You

— You develop an internal anchor. You don’t “sway” from praise to criticism.

— The need to constantly prove something to others disappears.

— You stop wasting energy worrying about others’ opinions — it goes to real things.

— Your decisions become truly yours, not dictated by fear of judgment.


The Main Point

Independence from others’ opinions is not about arrogance or “I don’t care.” It’s about maturity: I am valuable in myself, and someone else’s judgment doesn’t cancel my worth. You can respect others, but not place their opinion above your own inner compass.

## Chapter 5. Judgment

Sign 5. Is not dependent on judgment


The Essence

This is the ability to act based on your own values and goals, even if someone judges you. Judgment is not a catastrophe, it’s just someone’s reaction. You don’t build your life trying to avoid disapproval.

The difference from Sign 4 (independence from opinion) is that this goes deeper: not just “opinion,” but the fear of being rejected, ridiculed, or punished for who you are or what you do.


Why This Matters

— The fear of judgment is one of the main reasons people live someone else’s life, wear masks, and give up on their dreams.

— As long as you fear judgment, you’re easily controlled (by shame, guilt, threat of public censure).

— In 99% of cases, judgment carries no real threat to your life. It’s just words, emotions, someone else’s framework.

— Freedom from the fear of judgment gives you true freedom to be yourself.


How to Apply It in Life

Step 1. Realize: judgment is not about you

When someone judges, they are projecting their own beliefs, fears, and limitations. It’s information about them, not about you. Repeat: “That’s his/her worldview. It doesn’t have to become mine.”

Step 2. Separate real consequences from imagined ones

Ask yourself: “What will actually happen if I’m judged?” Options: they’ll stop talking to me? I’ll get fired? Friends will turn away? In most cases, the answer is: “Nothing fatal.” Life will go on.

Step 3. Check whose judgment you carry inside

Often, we fear not the judgment of real people but an “inner voice” — parental beliefs, childhood hurts. Ask: “Who would actually judge me? That person? Or am I judging myself in advance?”

Step 4. Do something “forbidden” in a safe environment

Start small: say what you usually hide, wear what doesn’t fit expectations, refuse the role of “the convenient one.” You’ll see the world doesn’t collapse, and you’ll feel a surge of energy.

Step 5. Accept that judgment is inevitable

If you do something significant, unconventional, alive — someone will inevitably judge you. That’s the price of freedom. Better to be judged for your own life than approved for someone else’s.


Example

— Before: You want to change careers at 40. But you fear judgment: “What will my colleagues say? My parents will think I’ve lost my mind. Everyone will laugh.” You stay in a job you hate and feel miserable every day.

— After: You acknowledge: “Yes, some will judge me. But that’s their problem, not mine. I don’t want to regret in 10 years that I never tried.” You start learning something new, not hiding it but not flaunting it either. Judgment happens, but you understand it’s just someone else’s opinion, and your life is yours.


What Regular Practice Will Give You

— You stop spending years maintaining a “proper” image.

— The chronic tension of constantly looking over your shoulder disappears.

— You start doing what matters to you, not what “won’t be judged.”

— Your energy goes into creation, not defending against imagined threats.


The Main Point

Independence from judgment is not cynicism or defiance. It’s an inner anchor: I know why I’m doing this, and someone else’s disapproval doesn’t cancel my reasons. The fear of judgment always means you’re placing others’ opinions above your own. The adult creator places their own understanding higher, but remains open to dialogue.

## Chapter 6. Praise

Sign 6. Is not dependent on praise


The Essence

This is the ability to do what you think is right without needing constant approval and pats on the back from others. Praise is pleasant, but it doesn’t become the fuel without which you stall. You know your worth not because someone said “good job,” but because you define it yourself.

Dependence on praise is a trap, the flip side of dependence on judgment. If you chase every “good,” you’re just as sensitive to every “bad.” Freedom comes when you stop being a puppet of others’ evaluations — both negative and positive.


Why This Matters

— As long as you depend on praise, you become convenient: you’re easy to manipulate by promising approval or threatening to withhold it.

— You spend colossal energy trying to “earn” praise instead of doing what you need to do.

— You start avoiding actions that might not get approval, even if they’re important.

— Without external praise, you feel emptiness, insecurity, “I’m not good enough.”

— Freedom from praise is a sign that you’ve become an adult for yourself.


How to Apply It in Life

Step 1. Notice the moment “I’m waiting for praise”

Notice when you’ve done something and are waiting for someone to evaluate it. That’s normal, but it’s important to see: you’ve already done the deed. The action itself is already a result. If praise comes — nice. If not — your life doesn’t get worse.

Step 2. Separate “need” from “nice”

Praise is nice. But it’s not a necessity. You don’t need approval to live, breathe, do your work, love your family. Ask: “Am I doing this because I need it / it’s important / it interests me? Or because I want to be praised?”

Step 3. Become your own main audience

After you’ve done something (even a small thing), tell yourself: “I did it. It wasn’t easy. I’m proud of myself.” Don’t wait for someone else to say it. Praise yourself. That’s not arrogance, it’s mature self-support.

Step 4. Practice doing without announcing it

Try doing something useful, important, interesting — and not telling anyone about it. Don’t post it on social media, don’t wait for comments. Just you and your action. Feel what it’s like to be an author without an audience.

Step 5. Accept that the value of your actions isn’t equal to the number of likes

Your contribution, your work, your growth have value in themselves, regardless of whether others notice it or not.


Example

— Before: You cook dinner. You wait for your spouse/mom to praise you. You don’t get it — you get upset, ruin the evening for yourself and others. Or you post a photo of the food online, check likes, get upset if there are few.

— After: You cook dinner because you wanted to eat well and take care of your loved ones. You did a good job. Praised — nice, not — oh well. You know the dinner turned out well, and that’s enough.


What Regular Practice Will Give You

— You stop being a hostage to others’ approval.

— Your mood stops jumping in sync with praise and neglect.

— You start choosing activities based on your own interests and goals, not expected praise.

— You develop inner stability: it’s harder to derail you by a lack of applause.


The Main Point

Independence from praise isn’t about “not caring about anyone.” It’s about praise becoming a sweet addition, not the only food. You do what you think is right because it’s your choice, your life, your values. Others’ approval is a nice bonus, but not the fuel without which you stall.

## Chapter 7. Relationships

Sign 7. Independently determines their relationship with others and the world


The Essence

This is the ability to choose with whom and how you build relationships, not just react to what “just happened.” You don’t drift with the current of others’ expectations, don’t stay in contact just because “that’s how it’s done” or “it’s a shame to break it off.” You consciously decide: who is close to you, who stays in your circle of trust, who remains in polite neutrality, and who you’re not willing to deal with.

Relationships stop being a natural disaster — they become your conscious project.


Why This Matters

— Most people live in relationships by inertia: friends with those they happened to end up next to, tolerate toxic relatives, don’t know how to say no.

— Unchosen relationships drain energy, create conflicts, and hinder growth.

— When you determine the format of communication yourself, you protect your boundaries and your time.

— You stop being a victim of circumstance in the most sensitive area — your connections with others.


How to Apply It in Life

Step 1. Take inventory of your circle

Mentally or on paper, list the people you regularly interact with. For each, ask:

— Do I feel good after interacting with this person? Or do I feel tired, guilty, anxious?

— Do I interact because I want to, or because “I have to” (relative, colleague, old friend)?

— What place does this person occupy in my life? Close, acquaintance, business partner, “historical figure”?

Step 2. Consciously choose three circles of communication

You can define three categories for yourself:

— Inner circle: those you trust, with whom you share important things, who support you. Choose such people consciously.

— Business/social circle: colleagues, acquaintances, neighbors — polite, courteous communication, but without deep involvement.

— Distanced: those with whom you reduce or end contact because it’s destructive.

This isn’t about slapping on labels, but about consciously allocating your energy.

Step 3. Learn to say “no” without guilt

If someone pushes communication on you that you don’t need, you have the right to refuse. Formula: “I value our connection, but right now / in that format it doesn’t work for me.” Without long justifications.

Step 4. Reconsider “inevitable” relationships

Even with parents, where communication is “mandatory,” you can choose the format: call once a week, meet once a month, don’t get drawn into their conflicts. You don’t have to tolerate disrespect, even from a relative.

Step 5. Regularly update your settings

Relationships are a living fabric. Your circle can change. Every six months or year, ask yourself: “Are these people still with me by my choice? Or just out of habit?”


Example

— Before: Every weekend you go to relatives, even though you feel tired and irritated. “I have to, they’re family.” A friend who constantly complains and uses you is still in your inner circle because “we’ve known each other for 20 years.”

— After: You decide: relatives — once a month, for an hour or two, in a format that suits you. To the friend you say: “I’m sorry you’re having a hard time, but I can’t be a constant shoulder to cry on right now. Let’s connect when you’re ready for something positive.” You free up time and energy for those with whom you truly feel good.


What Regular Practice Will Give You

— You stop spending your life on “obligatory” communication that no one needs.

— Your circle starts to consist of people with whom you chose to be.

— You feel that you control your social reality, not submit to it.

— The energy that went into draining contacts returns.


The Main Point

Independently determining relationships is not selfishness, but mature ecology. You can’t be good for everyone, but you can be honest with yourself. Those who truly value you will stay with you, even if you reduce the frequency of meetings. Those who leave when you stop being convenient were never your people.

## Chapter 8. Your Own System

Sign 8. Has a dynamic system of values


The Essence

This is the ability to revise and update your values, guidelines, and beliefs as you grow, change, and accumulate experience. A dynamic system is not a rigid set of rules “once and for all,” but a living, breathing compass that can be adjusted.

Values are not “given from above” nor carved in stone. They are formed by you, tested for strength, and if they stop working, you have the right to replace them.


Why This Matters

— Values that are never revised quickly turn into dogmas and templates (Sign 60). You start living by “patterns” from ten years ago, even if they no longer fit.

— Life changes, you change. What was important at 20 may stop being important at 40. If you don’t update your values, you risk pursuing someone else’s or outdated goals.

— Dynamic values protect you from fanaticism and rigidity. You don’t get “stuck” in one coordinate system.

— This gives you flexibility in difficult situations when old rules don’t work and new ones haven’t been formulated yet.


How to Apply It in Life

Step 1. Identify your current values

Write down 5—7 things that are truly important to you right now. Not “should be important,” but actually important. For Example: health, family, freedom, growth, honesty, money, respect, creativity.

Step 2. Audit: mine or imposed?

For each value, ask:

— Is this my value, or “what’s accepted”?

— If no one would ever know, would I still act this way?

— Does this value give me energy or take it away?

Step 3. Check for relevance

Ask: “Does this value serve my life today, my growth, my harmony?” If a value only evokes a sense of duty and guilt, it may be outdated or someone else’s.

Step 4. Consciously revise the hierarchy

Values can conflict. What’s more important to you: career or health? Freedom or stability? You decide what’s main right now, and change priorities according to the situation.

Step 5. Implement changes in your life

If you realize that the value of “career growth” is no longer primary, and “time with family” has become more important — act: change your schedule, review projects, say “no” to extra work. If values don’t translate into action, they remain just words.


Example

— Before: At 25, you set a goal: earn a lot, buy an apartment, build a career. Those were sincere values. At 40, you have an apartment, a steady income, but you feel emptiness and burnout. You keep chasing money because “that’s what you do,” “you have to be successful.”

— After: You do an audit. You realize that now health, close relationships, and interesting work are more important. You adjust your work, reduce overtime, start spending time with family and hobbies. Your values have updated — and life starts to bring satisfaction.


What Regular Practice Will Give You

— You stop living by outdated scenarios.

— The feeling of “going the wrong way” for no apparent reason disappears.

— You adapt more easily to changes (age-related, family, professional).

— Your inner compass is always adjusted to the real situation, not to illusions of the past.


The Main Point

A dynamic system of values is not “unprincipled” or “flip-flopping.” It’s a living connection with yourself. You don’t betray your values, you refine them, like a GPS recalculating the route as you grow, gain experience, and see further.

## Chapter 9. Responsibility

Sign 9. Recognizes and takes responsibility


The Essence

Responsibility is not “guilt” or a “heavy burden.” It’s the ability to be the author of your choices and their consequences. You don’t shift onto others (circumstances, your boss, partner, government, childhood) what happens in your life. You accept that even if something wasn’t your fault, your reaction, your subsequent actions, your attitude toward the situation — that is your choice.

Responsibility is not punishment, it’s a source of strength. As long as you say “they are to blame,” you are powerless. The moment you say “I am responsible for how I react to this,” you regain control.


Why This Matters

— Without responsibility, you are a victim of circumstances. With it, you are the master of the situation.

— Shifting responsibility drains energy and leaves you passive.

— Responsibility is the price of freedom. Don’t want to be responsible — you will be submissive.

— People who don’t take responsibility inspire distrust and remain in an infantile position.


How to Apply It in Life

Step 1. Stop looking for someone to blame

When something unpleasant happens, many people’s first reaction is “who’s to blame?” Replace that question with: “What can I do now? What depends on me?” This instantly shifts focus from the past to the future, from helplessness to action.

Step 2. Separate your zone of responsibility from others’

You are not responsible for the feelings, choices, and lives of other adults. You are responsible for your words, actions, reactions, boundaries. If someone is offended by your words, ask: “Did I speak respectfully? Was I responsible for my tone?” If yes — then their offense is their zone. You don’t have to “fix” it.

Step 3. Acknowledge mistakes without self-deprecation

Saying “I was wrong, it’s my responsibility” is not weakness, it’s strength. You don’t become “bad,” you simply state a fact and look for how to fix it. Formula: “I did this, it led to that. My mistake. Now I’m doing this to correct it.”

Step 4. Keep promises and don’t make them if you’re unsure

A responsible person keeps their word. If you can’t fulfill it — better to refuse upfront than to let someone down later. Learn to say: “I’m not ready to promise that,” “I can’t take that on right now.”

Step 5. Accept consequences without complaining

You chose — you get the result. If you don’t like the result — you learn and choose differently next time. Complaints and looking for “someone to blame” drain the energy you need to fix the situation or move forward.


Example

— Before: You’re late for work. In your head: “traffic’s fault,” “my boss doesn’t appreciate me,” “no one will notice anyway.” Your mood is ruined, the whole day goes wrong.

— After: You’re late. You realize: “I left later than planned, that was my choice. Now I choose: either let my colleagues know and arrive calmly, or blame traffic and get angry.” You text: “I’ll be 20 minutes late, I’ll start working as soon as I get there.” The rest of the day you don’t waste on worry, you just work.


What Regular Practice Will Give You

— You stop spending years looking for someone to blame and making excuses.

— Your life becomes more predictable and reliable for those around you.

— The feeling of being a “victim of circumstances” disappears.

— You develop inner confidence: I can handle this, because I am responsible for myself.


The Main Point

Responsibility is not a burden, it’s a lever. As long as you haven’t taken it on, you are passive. Once you take it, you gain power over your life. Being an adult means not looking for someone to do things for you, but being the one who chooses and answers.


By the way, a high salary is paid not for hard or complex work, but for taking responsibility.

## Chapter 10. Sovereignty

Sign 10. Invests themselves with power over themselves and the abilities of a creator


The Essence

This sign is key. It means that you give yourself permission to be the master of your life. You don’t wait for someone to give you a voice, approve your decisions, or tell you what to do. You take that power yourself.

Power over yourself is not power over others. It’s the ability to:

— choose your own goals;

— manage your own time and energy;

— say “yes” and “no” without constantly looking over your shoulder;

— create something new in your life (relationships, projects, meanings).


Why This Matters

— As long as you haven’t taken power over yourself, someone else will take it over you.

— Waiting for “permission” or a “magic kick” keeps you in the position of a child.

— Without this power, the other signs (responsibility, self-reliance, reaction management) have no foundation.

— When you feel like a creator, you stop being a victim of circumstances.


How to Apply It in Life

Step 1. Acknowledge that you already have the power

You already make hundreds of decisions every day. You just often don’t notice it. Realize: even when you do nothing, that’s your choice. You already have power — you just need to recognize it and start using it consciously.

Step 2. Stop waiting for “permission”

Want to start learning something new, change jobs, make time for a hobby, end an uncomfortable relationship? Don’t wait for someone to say “you can.” Ask yourself: “Is this my life? Is this my decision?” If yes — act.

Step 3. Use the right to make mistakes

A creator doesn’t have to be perfect. Mastery comes through trial. If you’re afraid of making mistakes, you’ll never take power. Allow yourself to try, make mistakes, try again. That’s not failure, it’s part of the process.

Step 4. Create, not just react

A creator’s power isn’t just “reacting to challenges,” it’s creating what didn’t exist before. Write a plan, organize an event, start a project, build the relationships you need. Don’t wait for life to “give” it — take it and make it.

Step 5. Confirm your sovereignty every day

Through small actions: “I choose what to eat for breakfast,” “I choose how to answer this message,” “I choose how to spend this hour.” Each such choice strengthens your inner power.


Example

— Before: You want to start jogging in the morning, but you wait for someone (a friend, a trainer, a motivational video) to “get you started.” Or you want to change jobs, but think: “What if it doesn’t work out? I need to wait for a better time.”

— After: You tell yourself: “I decide to start jogging. Tomorrow at 7 AM I’ll go outside. I might make mistakes, I might not even run 500 meters — that’s my experience. I choose to try.” And you do it. Same with work: you start looking, preparing, sending resumes — not waiting for the perfect moment.


What Regular Practice Will Give You

— You stop feeling like a pawn in someone else’s game.

— The endless “waiting for the right time” disappears.

— You start acting before fear even appears.

— You develop a steady feeling: “I can influence my life.”


The Main Point

Power over yourself is not aggression or suppression of others. It’s an inner permission to be the author of your life. No one will come and give you this power. It can only be taken. And you are already adult enough to do it.

## Chapter 11. Sophistication

Sign 11. Is informed, sophisticated, experienced


The Essence

This sign describes three interconnected qualities that come to the adult creator not by magic, but as a result of a conscious life.

— Informed — knows not just “what,” but “how it works.” Isn’t limited to superficial information, but understands mechanisms, causes, connections. This is the result of curiosity and the habit of digging deeper.

— Sophisticated — has been through difficult situations, didn’t break, learned lessons. Sophistication is not cynicism, but the ability to recognize pitfalls, manipulations, traps because you’ve encountered them before.

— Experienced — has real trials, errors, victories behind them. Experience is not just years lived, but wisdom extracted from living.

Together, these three qualities give the adult creator intuition: they step on the same rake less often, recognize situations faster, choose effective paths, and don’t waste time on illusions.


Why This Matters

— Being informed without experience is empty theory. Experience without being informed is trial and error. Sophistication without both is being stuck in the past.

— Together, they provide a foundation for decision-making: you see wider, know the risks, aren’t afraid of the new because you have the resources to cope.

— This quality protects against manipulation: it’s hard to deceive someone who has already encountered similar tricks and knows how they work.

— It also gives calm confidence: you’ve already been through a lot and know you can handle what lies ahead.


How to Apply It in Life

Step 1. Invest in being informed

Read not just news, but books that delve into areas important to you (psychology, health, finance, relationships). Ask “why” and “how it works,” don’t settle for ready-made answers. Ask questions of experts, look for primary sources.

Step 2. Turn experience into lessons

Experience is not just “what happened.” It’s “what I learned from it.” Every significant situation (successful or not) can be turned into a lesson:

— What did I learn about the world?

— What did I learn about myself?

— What will I do differently next time?

Keep an “Experience Journal” — short notes of conclusions. This turns the chaos of life into systematic knowledge.

Step 3. Don’t avoid difficulty to build sophistication

Sophistication comes from going through difficulties, not avoiding them. If you always choose the easy path, you don’t grow. Consciously take on tasks that are more challenging than previous ones. Don’t be afraid of mistakes — they’re fuel for sophistication.

Step 4. Use past experience, but don’t get stuck in it

Sophistication shouldn’t turn into the prejudice “everything is bad” or “this is impossible.” Important: experience is baggage, but not a life sentence. Every new situation is unique. Use your knowledge, but leave room for the new.

Step 5. Share experience without imposing

Being informed and experienced is valuable when you can pass it on to others, but without a lecturing tone. Learn to say: “I faced such and such, did this, the result was that, and if I knew then what I know now, I would have…” This helps both others and you structure your own knowledge.


Example

— Before: You encounter a similar difficult situation for the third time (e.g., conflict with your boss, financial trouble, relationship problems). Each time you react the same way, lose energy again, and get the same unpleasant result.

— After: Thanks to being informed, you understand the mechanisms of such situations. Thanks to experience, you know which reactions work and which don’t. Thanks to sophistication, you notice the signs of an approaching problem earlier and choose a different strategy. The situation either resolves more gently or doesn’t arise at all.


What Regular Practice Will Give You

— You stop stepping on the same rakes.

— Your decisions become faster and more accurate.

— You start recognizing manipulation, traps, empty promises at early stages.

— You gain calm confidence: “I’ve been through a lot, I can handle this.”


The Main Point

Being informed, sophisticated, and experienced is not a reward for age, but the result of a conscious approach to life. They don’t come automatically. They can be built: read, try, make mistakes, draw conclusions, try again. That is the path of the adult creator — from novice to master, from naivety to wisdom, from fear to confidence.


By the way, adulthood is not determined by calendar age, but manifests in the ability to consciously manage your life, take responsibility for your choices, regulate emotions, and build harmonious relationships with others.

## Chapter 12. Uncertainty

Sign 12. Is tolerant of uncertainty


The Essence

This is the ability to remain calm in situations where there is no clear answer, clear future, guaranteed result. You don’t panic when “it’s unclear,” don’t grab the first solution just to be sure, don’t demand 100% guarantees from the world.

Tolerance for uncertainty is the ability to live with the question, not force an answer, trust the process, act even when the final picture isn’t yet clear.


Why This Matters

— Life is inherently uncertain. Anything can happen tomorrow. If you can’t tolerate uncertainty, you’ll be in chronic stress.

— People with low tolerance for uncertainty often fall into traps: they believe charlatans who “know the future for sure,” get stuck in toxic relationships “just to have certainty,” are afraid to change jobs even if they’re unbearable.

— Without this quality, you can’t make independent decisions (Sign 3): every decision contains an element of the unknown.

— Tolerance for uncertainty is the basis for calm and flexibility.


How to Apply It in Life

Step 1. Acknowledge that uncertainty is normal

The world doesn’t owe you guarantees. Nature, the economy, relationships, health — everything is in motion. The sooner you accept this as a fact, the less energy you’ll waste fighting reality.

Step 2. Separate real risks from imagined ones

When you feel anxiety due to uncertainty, ask: “What’s the worst that could happen? How likely is it? Even if it happens — will I survive?” Often, the catastrophe exists only in your head.

Step 3. Shift focus from outcome to process

Instead of “I must get a specific result by a certain date,” try: “I’m doing what depends on me, and the outcome isn’t solely my responsibility.” You control your actions, but not everything around you.

Step 4. Act even when there’s no complete clarity

Uncertainty shouldn’t paralyze you. You can move in small steps: “I don’t know everything now, but I can take this one step.” Action itself often clarifies the situation.

Step 5. Train your endurance in waiting mode

There are situations when you can’t act, only wait. That’s the hardest part. In such moments, learn to shift your attention: do what is under your control, breathe, don’t spin scenarios.


Example

— Before: You’ve sent your resume and are waiting for a reply. You check your email every minute, replay in your head: “What if they don’t take me? What if I wrote it wrong? Maybe I should call?” You can’t focus on anything, anxiety grows.

— After: You’ve sent your resume and realize: “I did everything that depended on me. The rest is not my zone of control. While I wait for a reply, I focus on my current tasks, not on guessing.” You restore your calm and continue living.


What Regular Practice Will Give You

— You stop wasting energy on anxiously “figuring out” the future.

— You endure crises and changes more easily.

— Your ability to wait and stay calm grows.

— You become more reliable for others: people aren’t afraid to enter uncertain situations with you.


The Main Point

Tolerance for uncertainty is not indifference or a refusal to plan. It’s understanding that life is bigger than your plans. You can prepare, act, influence — but there’s always space beyond your control. The ability to be in that space without panic is adulthood.


By the way, anxiety is worrying about the future.

## Chapter 13. Anchor

Sign 13. Doesn’t need external support


The Essence

This is the ability to remain steady when there’s no one around to support you, guide you, approve of you, “hold your hand.” You’re not constantly looking for someone to lean on, whose opinion to take as a basis, who will tell you if you’re doing the right thing. Your support is inside: your values, experience, self-understanding, ability to make decisions and take responsibility for them.

This doesn’t mean you refuse help or support. It means you can get by without it. Support becomes a pleasant addition, not the oxygen you need to breathe.


Why This Matters

— As long as you need external support, you remain dependent. Other people, circumstances, bosses, partners, gurus gain power over you.

— Without internal support, any change (job loss, breakup, criticism) becomes a catastrophe because there’s “nothing to hold onto.”

— External support is unreliable: people leave, circumstances change, gurus make mistakes.

— Internal support is the only one that’s always with you.


How to Apply It in Life

Step 1. Stop looking for a “rescuer”

When a difficulty arises, many people’s first reaction is “who will help me?” “who can I ask?” “who will tell me what to do?” Replace that question with: “What can I do myself? What resources do I have?”

Step 2. Accept that no one can give you complete certainty

Even the wisest advisor won’t live your life for you. Responsibility for the choice will still remain with you. The sooner you accept this, the less you’ll cling to “authorities.”

Step 3. Create an internal headquarters

Your internal support is built from:

— Your values (what’s important to you).

— Your experience (what you’ve already lived through, what you’ve learned).

— Your ability to analyze (Sign 53) and choose (Sign 61).

— Your self-trust (I’ve coped before — I’ll cope now).

Step 4. Practice self-reliance in small things

Start with everyday decisions: where to go, what to wear, how to answer, who to talk to, how to spend your time. Make these decisions without looking to others’ opinions. Each such step strengthens your internal anchor.

Step 5. Live through moments when there is no support

There are situations when there really is no one to support you. Instead of panicking, tell yourself: “Right now it’s just me. It’s scary, but I’ll handle it. I have myself.” Live through it — and you’ll see that you can stand firm.


Example

— Before: You’re in a difficult situation (conflict, job loss, family misunderstanding). You call all your friends, ask for advice, look for someone to give the “right answer,” can’t sleep until you get approval from someone.

— After: You’re in a difficult situation. You acknowledge: “I’m scared, I need support.” You may reach out to someone, but you understand: the final decision is mine. You sit down, analyze (Sign 53), feel (Sign 62), rely on your values (Sign 8). You make a decision and act. Even if you’re wrong — you’ll learn and adjust your path.


What Regular Practice Will Give You

— You stop fearing loneliness and losing your “support group.”

— Your decisions become yours, not someone else’s.

— You gain stability: external circumstances shake you less.

— You develop inner confidence: I am my own anchor, I can handle it.


The Main Point

Not needing external support doesn’t mean being alone and rejecting help. It means: I can rely on myself, and others’ support is a nice bonus, but not a condition for my survival. When you become your own anchor, you stop fearing losing others, and your relationships become freer and deeper.

## Chapter 14. Reflection

Sign 14. Is capable of reflection


The Essence

Reflection is the ability to look at yourself from the outside. To stop, look back at your thoughts, feelings, actions, and ask questions: “Why did I do that?” “What was I really feeling?” “What beliefs led to this result?” It’s the ability not just to live life, but to extract lessons from it, notice your automatisms, see your strengths and weaknesses, and adjust course.

Reflection is a mirror that the adult creator looks into not for self-flagellation, but for understanding and growth.


Why This Matters

— Without reflection, a person lives through the same situation many times, not understanding why it repeats.

— Reflection turns life experience (even painful) into fuel for growth, not just a collection of memories.

— It’s the foundation for all the other signs: without reflection, you can’t manage reactions (2), make independent decisions (3), revise values (8), take responsibility (9).

— Reflection helps you notice where you’re living by templates (Sign 60) and start changing them.


How to Apply It in Life

Step 1. Set aside time for “debriefing”

Reflection doesn’t happen on the go. You need dedicated time. At least 5—10 minutes at the end of the day. Sit with a notebook or just in silence and go through the day’s events.

Step 2. Ask yourself the right questions

Instead of “everything is bad” or “I’m great” — specific ones:

— What went well today?

— What caused tension?

— How did I react to that? Was that reaction conscious?

— What did I feel at key moments?

— If I could live today over, what would I do differently?

— What did I learn today?

Step 3. Don’t turn reflection into self-flagellation

The goal is not to find out how bad you are, but to see your patterns. “I noticed that in stressful situations I start yelling / going silent / making excuses. That’s my automatic reaction. Next time I’ll try to pause.” Without judgment, without “I’m so terrible.”

Step 4. Write down your conclusions

Memory is deceptive. It’s useful to keep a “Reflection Journal”: brief notes of observations and conclusions. Later you can reread them and see your growth.

Step 5. Use reflection before important decisions

Not just after the fact. Before an important choice, ask: “What’s driving me? Is this my desire or my fear? What do I really want? What consequences am I willing to accept?” This slows down haste and makes decisions more conscious.


Example

— Before: You argued with a loved one. In the evening, you replay the argument in your head, get angry, feel hurt, fall asleep with a heavy heart.

— After: You argued. In the evening, you set aside 10 minutes. You write down: “What happened? I said this and that. Why? Because I was hurt that he/she didn’t hear me. How did I react? I got defensive, got personal. What was I really feeling? Hurt and fear of not being valued. What will I do differently next time? I’ll say: ‘It’s important to me that you hear me, let’s discuss this calmly.’” You don’t stew in it, you get a plan for the future.


What Regular Practice Will Give You

— You stop stepping on the same rakes.

— Your reactions become more conscious and flexible.

— You understand yourself better: your triggers, desires, fears.

— You feel like you’re growing, not just getting older.


The Main Point

Reflection is not “navel-gazing” or a reason to blame yourself. It’s a tool for growth. Like a mirror in a gym: you watch how you do an exercise to correct your form, not to curse yourself for being imperfect. The adult creator uses reflection to become stronger, wiser, freer.

## Chapter 15. Conscious Attitude

Sign 15. Takes responsibility for the life and health of themselves and those around them


The Essence

This is not about total control or guilt over others’ illnesses. It’s about a conscious attitude toward the fact that you are the main manager of your body and your life, and also about the influence you have on loved ones.

Responsibility for yourself: you don’t shift care for your health onto doctors, circumstances, heredity, or age. You understand: lifestyle, routine, attention to body signals, timely check-ups — that’s your zone.

Responsibility for others: you understand that your condition (physical, emotional) affects those around you. You don’t shift care for yourself onto them as an obligation, but you don’t neglect their health if something depends on you (for Example, the health of children, elderly parents, people who have trusted you).


Why This Matters

— Irresponsible attitude toward your own health leads to loved ones paying the price later (with time, energy, money).

— Expecting someone else to “save” or “cure” you while you do nothing is an infantile position.

— Your physical and mental state is the foundation for everything else: work, relationships, creativity. If you’re falling apart, you can’t be a creator.

— Responsibility for the health of loved ones (especially children, the elderly) is a manifestation of mature love, not control.


How to Apply It in Life

Step 1. Take on basic prevention

You don’t have to be an athlete, but you are responsible for:

— getting enough sleep (routine, sleep quality);

— moving (at least regular walking);

— eating not just anything (basic attention to what you eat);

— seeing a doctor promptly if there are concerning symptoms, not putting it off until the last minute.

— This is not heroism, it’s minimal self-care.

Step 2. Give up self-destructive habits with the thought “I want this”

Smoking, alcohol, overeating, chronic lack of sleep, ignoring pain — these are not “freedom of choice” if you later become a burden to loved ones. The adult creator understands: I have the right to bad habits, but I am responsible for the consequences.

Step 3. Take responsibility for those who depend on you

If you have children or elderly relatives, you can’t shift care for their health to chance or the government. That’s your zone: monitoring conditions, timely help, creating a safe environment.

Step 4. Learn to talk about your condition without shifting responsibility

If you get sick — let people know, don’t expect them to guess. If you need help — ask directly, without manipulation. But don’t turn it into a demand: “you have to take care of me.”

Step 5. Don’t take on others’ responsibility

You are not responsible for another adult smoking, not getting treatment, living dangerously. You can offer help, express concern, but you can’t force them. Boundary: I care, but I don’t rescue against their will.