whether you’re 30 or
22 or 75. Being a little older and
a little wiser, I’ve plugged in a
few new “shoulds.” By all means,
add some of your own.
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 e-mail 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-grandmother and
the best tailor in town.
7. How to live alone, even if
you don’t like to.
8. How to take control of
your own birthday.
9. That you can’t change the
length of your calves, 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
Derailer go hang yourself cos you are not welcome here matuRed mind only