30 Things Every Woman Should Have And Should Know by 30 Review

I’ve been reading 30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She’s 30. I’m 23 so I figure I should have at least half of these things under my belt. There are 30 things you should have and 30 things you should know in the list.

View the whole list

I have found the book to be kind of a waste of $12 because the list is on-line, but the short essays from different women are entertaining and relatable. If you like short essays it’s worth reading, but it is the same 30 things without anything new.

Breakdown of Where I Stand on the 30 Things

Things I Have:

# 1 One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come. — My first serious boyfriend was hated by most of my family. He was never invited to birthday parties, and I even had to keep seeing him a secret from my mom for a little while….that was tough. We would go out for 6 months, have a fight, break up, go out for 6 more months. It was really tough, and we just never wanted the same things. Despite the less-than-stellar record, it was a really hard when we broke up. To look back, I know I’ve come a long way and how happy I am now compared. I hope I don’t have to tackle the “going back to one” though; I’ll just keep this one for as long as he will have me.

# 12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it. After graduation and passing my Praxis to teach, I bought myself a Michael Kors purse. I still love it and treat it with care.  That $200 will always be remembered.

Things I Know Before 30:

# 1. How to fall in love without losing yourself. This has been tough for me. I’m definitely a people pleaser as much as I try to fight it. I have found my voice and self in the past year though. I think having someone that respects your hopes, dreams, and space helps as well.

# 2. How you feel about having kids. I have had this down since about 14; however, I did used to want 7 kids. Now, I am happy with spoiling 2 instead if I’m blessed with them.

# 9. That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents. This one took some time too, and I think many people don’t reach this by 30. I am happy with being short (5’3″) and my ample, but mostly firm booty. I am still working on the nature of your parents, but I have realized they are just human too.

# 12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long. Amen. We should add tanning to the list too. I have had to get 3 moles taken off. Luckily, none of them have been cancer, but I have had that scare and am fine with spray tanning.

Things I Want by 30:

# 2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family. I grew up in a house filled with my grandparents furniture. In fact, I am writing this on my great-grandfather’s table which sits on my aunt’s old rug. Yes, they are nice antiques, but they are not my mom’s style. I am breaking the trend and creating a nest that represents me….even if it takes a decade or two!

# 3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour. Every time I buy something, I think it fits this description. In reality, I never have anything to wear.

# 4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying. I guess my Abercrombie & Fitch duffle bag and polka dot umbrella should go.

Things I Want to Know by 30:

# 4. When to try harder and when to walk away. I have kind of learned this already through a ended friendship; however, I have the problem of walking away AND letting it go. If I think too much about the friendship that went sour, I can still get myself worked up and wonder what happened.

# 13. Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally. This goes with the one above.

# 14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.  This one relates to the other two so I guess I need to get a stronger backbone and stick with it.

 Things I am Excited About:

# 15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better. I can begin to see this in my life right now. It’s really exciting but very new and foreign to me. I can’t wait to settle in and soak up every minute.

# 15. Why they say life begins at 30 I’m in!

What do you think of the 30 things list? Is there anything you’d add?

You may also like our 26 things to do at 26 and 25 things to know by 25!

I’d say traveling alone or at least when you are the one responsible for yourself is really important too.