In the quote from Miriam Toews' book All My Puny Sorrows, the narrator describes a frantic effort to balance the demands of adulthood. They are trying to earn money, study, and improve their understanding of what it means to be an adult, often struggling and facing failures along the way.
The passage highlights the chaotic and sometimes overwhelming process of growing up, emphasizing that mastering adult responsibilities is a challenging journey filled with setbacks. Despite these difficulties, the narrator continues to push forward, grappling with the uncertainties of adult life.