In 1997, Glamour magazine
published a story titled "30 Things Every Woman Should Have and
Should Know by the Time She's 30." The list, written by Pamela Redmond Satran, was so popular that women
started emailing it around, misattributing it to various female luminaries
including Maya Angelou and Hillary Clinton. Noting what a phenomenon it had
become, the editors of Glamour created a book around it, featuring essays from
(mostly) famous women on each of the items on the list. The book, released
today, includes meditations from Katie Couric on work and love, Portia de Rossi
on accepting your body, and one from the list's original author, who is also a Huffington Post blogger, on how to live alone.
Because the list still makes us so, so
happy, we asked Glamour's permission to reprint it here:
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.
He’s not actually a boyfriend per se, but some guy whom I
consider the closest to me outside my family and apart from my man. I am quite
sure he will be there for me, no matter what.
2. A decent piece of furniture not
previously owned by anyone else in your family.
I am planning to buy a posh-looking study desk and book
shelf, just to establish that I am the writer and voracious reader in the
family.
3. Something perfect to wear if the
employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
I’m so bad at fashion that up until now, I still don’t have
this.
4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella
you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.
A purse, yes, a suitcase and umbrella, not yet.
5. A youth you’re content to move
beyond.
Waaah, I don’t think I’m ready yet L
6. A past juicy enough that you’re
looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
What else but my love story with my beau.
7. The realization that you are
actually going to have an old age -- and some money set aside to help fund it.
I am getting there.
8. An email address, a voice mailbox,
and a bank account -- all of which nobody has access to but you.
I am bad at passwords and remembering numbers and user IDs,
therefore, there is always someone who has access over my finances and mail.
Plus, my parents are very snoopy so I can’t hide anything really.
9. A résumé that is not even the
slightest bit padded.
Duh!
10. One friend who always makes you
laugh and one who lets you cry.
Covered!
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless
drill, and a black lace bra.
Hmm, I want the tools in green and the black lace bra is in
the works J
12. Something ridiculously expensive
that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
My classic iPod, it’s ridiculous!
13. The belief that you deserve it.
Getting there?
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.
Does walking our dogs count?
15. A solid start on a satisfying
career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do
get better.
A satisfying relationship, check! Career what?!
By 30, you should know ...
1. How to fall in love without losing
yourself.
Damn right!
2. How you feel about having kids.
All I can think about is the anesthetic needle!
3. How to quit a job, break up with a
man, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
Need to work harder on it.
4. When to try harder and when to walk
away.
Next!
5. How to kiss in a way that
communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.
Hon?
6. The names of the secretary of state,
your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town.
Pass!
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t
like to.
Already did when I was 24-27 yo.
8. Where to go -- be it your best friend’s
kitchen table or a yoga mat -- when your soul needs soothing.
Church or coffee shop or bookstore. If the budget allows
it, Georgia!
9. That you can’t change the length of
your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.
The body parts can be changed but my parents’ nature, I
doubt it.
10. That your childhood may not have
been perfect, but it’s over.
Oh well, but I still believe that youth is a state of mind.
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for
money or love.
Ooh that’s deep! Hahaha.
12. That nobody gets away with smoking,
drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long.
Hell yeah!
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t,
and why you shouldn’t take it personally.
I have known a lot of different types / race of people to
know what this means.
14. Not to apologize for something that
isn’t your fault.
Of course!
15. Why they say life begins at 30
I’ll cross the bridge when I get there.
What's on your personal list of things to have and know -- and possibly do -- before turning 30?
To have:
1)
a stamp-filled passport
2)
a coffee table book
3)
a coffee-cum-book shop
4)
a competitive creative folio
5)
a driver’s license :s
6)
a much-awaited, colorful and memorable wedding with Hon
7)
scrapbook to show my grandchildren
8)
a short film worthy enough to hold a spot in a film fest
9)
vintage but running scooter
10) my personal spot in our house
To know:
1)
how to save and budget my money
2)
how to become a boss
3)
how to fix a vehicle
4)
how to lie at work, to keep up with all the liars who climb
their way to the top by lying just for the heck of it
5)
how to sing in tune!
6)
how to hold my temper
7)
how to have a family and kids of my own
8)
how not to be too emotional
9)
how to keep my man without being too clingy and without
losing myself
10) carpentry!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/24/turning-30-30-things-every-woman-should-have-and-should-know_n_1447368.html
