Saturday, April 28, 2012

The Thirty Things Every Woman Should Have And Should Know By The Time She's 30


I came across this list the other day, which was originally written by Pamela Redmond Satran for Glamour magazine in 1997. 
I definitely didn't have or know all 30 things when I turned the big 3-0 in August, but I do think they are worth working for in the near future. 
By 30, you should have ...
1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.
I've got plenty of 'em who remind me how far I've come. They'll all be in the book I'm writing.
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
Check.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
The man of my dreams would love to see me in my sweatpants, and so would the employer of my dreams for that matter. So, check.
4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
Like when I was a junior in college and I missed a week of school to go to Daytona with my friend Matt so that I could meet a boy with whom I'd been talking on the phone for months? Yeah, that should probably be in the book, too.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age -- and some money set aside to help fund it.
Gulp.
8. An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account -- all of which nobody has access to but you.
Duh.
9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.
Proud to say "check."
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
I feel blessed to have many friends that make me laugh and let me cry, and who make me laugh so hard that I cry.


11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.
I do not have a cordless drill...I think we're all safer that way.
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
Merry Christmas, to me.

13. The belief that you deserve it.
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine, and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.
I've got the skin-care regimen down but let's be honest: the others are works in progress...
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better.
I love my job, I love my family and friends, and I look forward to what the next thirty years have in store.

By 30, you should know ...
1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
True that.
2. How you feel about having kids.
I am not interested in being a mother unless I am in a stable, loving marriage. I really feel that it is God's will. In the meantime, I am a godmother, an honorary aunt to my friends' children, and I am anxiously awaiting the birth of my first niece in July.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
Check. Check. Check.
4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.
Wink.
6. The names of the secretary of state, your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town.
Is it sad that I know Hilary Clinton is our Secretary of State, but can only name one of my great-grandmothers? You don't need to answer that, I already know. Gotta remedy that ASAP.
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
Me = The Champ 
8. Where to go -- be it your best friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat -- when your soul needs soothing.
Seneca Park, my parents' pool, my couch.
9. That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.
I'm actually okay with all of these.
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
My childhood was great. It's high school that I'm glad to have in the books.
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
Can't say that I've ever really given this much thought.
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long.
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally.
Yep.
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
15. Why they say life begins at 30.
Still learning...

So what do you think? I know that many of you reading this are like me, and have already celebrated 30 years of life. How many items were you able to check off the list before your 30th birthday?