30 things every women should have & know at 30

While I was driving to work last week, they were talking about a new Glamour article titled 30 things every women should have and know at age 30.  I only caught the tale end of the conversation but was instantly intrigued. As soon as I got to work I looked up the whole article, which can be found here. I have about a year and a half until I hit the 30 mark.  As much as I’m dreading the big 30 I’m enjoying getting older.  I’ve changed so much in the past few years and finally feel like I am okay just being me, flaws and all.  I’m still working on a lot of the things in the you should know list but have done pretty good with the you should have list.  What about you?

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. check check check (I have more than a few)
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. check (before pregnancy days)
4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying. check
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond. check
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age. check, thankfully I have good friends that won’t let me forget it!
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it. check
8. An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you. check
9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded. check
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry. check, check
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra. need to work on this one…
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
13. The belief that you deserve it. check
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine, and a plan for dealing with those few facets of life that don’t get better after 30. check
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better. check

By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself. boy did this one take a while to learn!
2. How you feel about having kids.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend with-out ruining the friendship. only within the last year on this one
4. When to try harder and when to walk away. still working on this…I have a hard time walking 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-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town. hmmm…not quite
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to. I think every woman needs to experience living alone before settling down with a man. 
8. Where to go—be it your best friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat—when your soul needs soothing. hubs and mom!
9. That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents. Aint that the truth!
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. a daily struggle for me
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault. another daily struggle!
15. Why they say life begins at 30!