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.
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 ...
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-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town.
7. How to live alone, even if you
don’t like to.
8. Where to go -- be it your best
friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat -- when your soul needs soothing.
9. That you can’t change the
length of your legs, 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
What's on your personal list of things to have and know -- and possibly do --
before turning 30?
Read and excerpt from the book here.
