Turning 30: 30 Things Every Woman Should Have And Should Know

I'm constantly inspired by the things around me, but every now and then I see, hear or read something that moves me and I must share it with my friends.

So was the case when I recently read Turning 30: 30 Things Every Woman Should Have And Should Know. The article was originally published in Glamour Magazine in 1997, when I was barely a teenager and nowhere near 30. Time sure does fly by!

Pamela Redmond was the author, but because it became so popular and was passed on so much that it almost lost its origins. Women started speculating that it was written by Maya Angelou or Hillary Clinton.

This year the article was published as a book of essays that features personal accounts by Hillary Clinton, Maya Angelou and other notable ladies that take on the different topics.

BTW: This book makes a great gift for any gal pal who is turning 30!


The Original List: 

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.
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
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.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.
8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you.
9. A resume that is not even the slightest bit padded.
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
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.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
2. How you feel about having kids.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
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.
6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
8. How to take control of your own birthday.
9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
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.
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
15. Why they say life begins at 30.

And while the original list is great, I felt it needed a little makeover for the 30 year old women of the 21st century, so here's my take on it (I kept all the good advice that transcends time and age. I just updated a few which are in bold pink text.)

GTG's List:

By 30, you should have:

1. A small, but tight knit of friends, who are more like family.
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
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.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.
8. Take care of yourself and all your personal business: Have a health insurance policy, a life insurance policy and a will.
9. In this economy your resume needs to grab attention and while I'm not encouraging that you pad it, I am saying make it the best you can, so you can get the job of your dreams.
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
11. You should definitely own a black lace bra with the matching panties. Just make sure you know how to change the oil in your car and how to measure the air in your tires.
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
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.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
2. How you feel about having kids.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
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.
6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
8. How to take control of your own birthday.
9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
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.
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
15. Why they say life begins at 30.

I also would like to point out that the reason I'm sharing this on my blog is because it struck a chord with me. It's simply a good read and by no means is this a mandatory list. So again I hope you enjoy it and share it with all your girlfriends.

I'd like to include one more "piece of advice" and it's something I do my best to live by every day of my life which is to live life with no regrets.

Think of everything that happens in your life as a lesson. Remember it's all the things that happen to us in or the things we choose to bring into our lives that mold us into the people we are.

So don't waste your time feeling regret!

xo
GTG