I’ve been the proverbial broke college student for years now. To be honest, I think it suits me! I’ve had a ton of fun, and I never had too much nice stuff to worry about. But now, as I head out into the real world, I’m getting a little anxious about the idea of having my own money and my own property. I’ll have savings, soon, and will be on my own when big expenses hit. I’ll buy big, expensive things eventually — like a house, for instance. And I’m in a serious relationship, so I’ve been thinking about engagement rings and freaking out about the idea of a tiny, easy-to-lose object that’s worth so much money. How do adults get through life like this? I feel like I’m not cut out to be anything other than a broke kid.

Adulthood comes with responsibilities, and when we’re on our own we deal with certain risks in more direct ways. While accidents, illness, theft, and loss can hit us at any age, there’s no denying that those of us lucky enough to have been raised with certain privileges can feel a whole lot more isolated in the face of risk once we’re responsible for our own income, savings, and liabilities.

Fortunately, there are a lot of things about the “real world” that are designed to make these burdens a little lighter. After all, you’re not the only one on the planet who is uneasy about risk. All adults have to think about things like their health and their valuable possessions, so it’s no surprise that there are laws and institutions that are designed to support us in the face of risk.

Take, for instance, the many laws related to property transfers. Legal conveyance of property in Western countries includes certain safeguards, one Brisbane conveyancer explains. And the process of buying something as valuable as a house is long and includes all kinds of safeguards for both parties. That won’t completely eliminate risk, of course, and you will still have to work hard to do your own research, but you should know that home inspections, real estate attorneys, and other support systems, experts, and legal safeguards are on your side.

The law of the land will also support you if you face certain types of misfortune. A personal injury or work injury claim, for instance, could help you protect your money and property in the event that someone else’s negligence threatens to cost you. There are private safeguards available, too: from fraud protection at your bank to the huge insurance industry, you’ll find that there are lots of options for protecting yourself explain Lewis Law, attorneys in Rock Hill South Carolina.

Sure, it can be nerve-wracking to invest in expensive things no matter what kinds of protections you have. But engagement rings can be protected by insurance policies. If you’re proactive about adding policies to protect your biggest assets, you can rest a little easier and with a little less fear of theft or accidents.

If all of this still fails to make you feel better, perhaps you should consider speaking to a mental health professional about the anxieties that you’re dealing with. While it’s natural to be a bit nervous about entering the “real world,” it could be that your fears are indicative of a deeper issue. And even if they’re not, you might find that speaking to a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist helps you to live a more fulfilling and enjoyable life. Experts agree that we could all stand to be a bit more proactive about our mental health — the stigma surrounding mental healthcare is ignorant and damaging and should be ignored as much as possible.

You’ve got an exciting time in your life ahead of you. Yes, there will be risks, but there are lots of reasons to take heart and lots of ways to protect your property, your finances, and yourself. We wish you all the best with the next stage of your life’s journey.

“Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” — C.S. Lewis