Today’s guest post is brought to you by Laura, from Scribbles & Sass – and if her blog title didn’t tell you enough, her tag line most certainly will “Where badass is, sexy follows.” I freakin’ love that! Her blog is also almost exclusively pink, and she is a super sweetheart. We first “met” when she won a yoga DVD off of a giveaway I had – now we’re Twitter (@laurabridgman) friends. See what her thoughts are on an old article about turning 30 (I really love this since I’ve been 30 for almost 6 months now – remind me that I should respond to this post as well with my thoughts!)
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A few weeks back the Huffington Post shared an article that was first published by Glamour Magazine in 1997. Entitled 30 Things Every Woman Should Have And Should Know, it lays out what every woman needs in her arsenal before turning 30.
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Here is the full 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 email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account — all of which nobody has access to but you.
9. A résumé 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…
16. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
17. How you feel about having kids.
18. How to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
19. When to try harder and when to walk away.
20. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.
21. The names of the secretary of state, your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town.
22. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
23. Where to go — be it your best friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat — when your soul needs soothing.
24. That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.
25. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
26. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
27. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long.
28. Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally.
29. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
30. Why they say life begins at 30
Here’s the argument: It’s a bit outdated; 1997 was a long time ago. It says boyfriend, instead of partner, and suggests everyone should be shacked up, instead of independently feisty and raging with self-love.
Personally, it fits me just right. I am a heterosexual woman who would like a successful career AND a successful relationship. I’ve got the power tools, the skin-care regimen, and a firm grasp on where my yoga mat is at all times and how I feel about children. What I don’t have is a black lace bra. (Read my full list of my “haves” from 1-15.) Yes, to the cordless drill, but no to the sexy lingerie? Maybe it is 2012.
Replace the words however you’d like, but the message is pretty clear to me: love yourself, be comfortable in where you came from but don’t live in the past, and look forward to all the years you have left.
In the 90s we had Girl Power. I don’t think we need to be so idealistic, but we still need to take away the same principals. Thirty things on a list, no matter what the age, will not define us, but it will remind us to believe in the strength of women, ourselves, and be uplifting of others.
Also, 30 is just a convenient number. I’m sure the author didn’t want to think of 45 things; that’s less of a catchy title, so for the editor’s sake I’m glad she didn’t. These milestones may not be reached by any age, let alone by 30, but constantly improving yourself is always in fashion.
(Source)
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Which point sticks out most to you?
Running and Cupcakes 