..30 Things

May 9, 2012


This is not the kind of post I usually do, but this morning I read something that really resonated with me and thought many of you might also relate in some way.  I have a birthday coming up next month (26 to be exact) and I'm having some trouble with it 1. because of the rounding issue...(I keep saying to myself you would totally round me up to 30 if I were spare change!) and 2. because I often feel like maybe I should be further along than I am at this moment. I realize this is crazy and that all women around my age go thought it, but after visiting District Sparkle today and reading this old Glamour magazine list from 1977, I feel a little better about where I am in life and have some new ideas of what I think I need to achieve and get comfortable with in the next four years.  Hope you love this as much as I did.  xx.

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.

21 comments

  1. I saw this on another blog a week or so ago...I'll be 25 this year, and I don't even want to think about it!

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  2. This is such an awesome post, and makes me feel a littttle better about being 27 :)

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

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  3. This is from 1977? No way! Love #9 on the second list!
    --TS

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  4. What a great post! Thanks so much for sharing. I feel the same way that you do...and this list just all of a sudden made me feel a whole lot better and accomplished :)

    Dana
    Big City Farm Girl
    BCFG on Facebook

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  5. My girlfriend sent this to me last week, and it totally brought tears to my eyes thinking about how I need to stop worrying and just living! Love this article...
    Celebrate birthdays, and embrace the years under your belt... you are right where you need to be!
    xx
    Here&Now

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  6. This is great! I love #11 on list 1.

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  7. wow.... i am 25, not quite rounding age, not yet, but still, the idea of senescence, maturation, continual growth and evolution, are always with me. this list is great, definitely puts life into perspective and is empowering!

    http://dallianceswithsuitsandskirts.blogspot.com/

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  8. I love this list of things, I feel like I'm on the right track! WOO!

    xo Kayla

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  9. I am 31 and I survived turning 30! I actually started a blog '30 things before turning 30' and it definitely helped me make that transition more fun and really was life changing! I LOVE these lists and although somethings I am still trying to figure out, there are many I can actually 'wisely' {ha!} nod my head and say 'YES, totally!!'...I feel better in my skin (not necessarily by the looks of it) than I have ever felt!! So, I discovered a lot, but most of all I can say we are in this together...there is totally a fabulous '30's club'/support group waiting for you, and it's full of lovelies!!
    Sooo obviously I love this post! I swear I feel we would be besties if we lived in the same city! So many similarities!
    xo, Jessica

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  10. I love this post! Thank you for sharing. :)

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  11. loving this post as my 30th b-day next week!

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  12. This is exactly what I needed today! There are days when I look at my life and think, did I do this right? And today was one those, according to this list I am. Thank you so much for sharing! And happy early birthday - 26 is supposed to be a good age :)
    xx
    justyn
    thoughtsbyapetitebrunette.com

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  13. I think everyone is different and achieves things at different ages. Don't feel bad about turning 26...you have your whole life ahead of you, Erin!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

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  15. I agree with you I feel like I should be in a different place at 26 then I am right now but its more financially and career wise. This is going to sound awful, but I much rather be me then my friends. 3 of them where engaged 2 got married and 1 "postponed" her wedding. The thing about these three engaged women is that they were all together with their respective boyfriends for about 3 months MONTHS not years until they got engaged. I think a primary reason for this is because they are all boy and baby crazy like they need to have those in their lives by X age, so they are rushing. I am kind of learning from them that's not how I want my life to be lived ya know? I am happy with my life right now and I am 26 as well and I am not engaged, preggers, have a house ect. I have learned that I rather have all those things down the road and wait then rush it and it be a disaster in the end. I hope that doesn't happen with my friends... but I guess what I am trying to say is that I love this post! I agree with you that I want to have X Y and Z by now but at the same time, I am happy I am taking a slower approach to life! I agree with everyone one of these bullets! :) Hope I didn't ramble to much for you.

    Sara
    http://seventwentysomethings.blogspot.com/

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  16. I turned thirty this year and I am feeling pretty good about myself! :)

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  17. what a great post! I think setting an age limit on any kind of accomplishment is bogus...you need to be happy at EVERY age, especially coming up to 30!

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  18. Great lists! I'll be 25 this summer and I find that I am already dreading the big 3-0, haha! Lists like this remind me that there is still so much left to learn and do. :)

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  19. I totally saw this trending the other day & immediately decided that I have to get the book before I hit 30! :D

    TheShopaholic247

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  20. This was sooo good! Thanks Erin!!

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  21. Loved this post! Just made my day!!!

    http://myveryownoneyearproject.blogspot.pt/

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xx E.