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Turning 30: What I Wish I'd Known

One of my good friends is about to turn 30. She asked me if there was any information I could share with her that I wish I'd known at that age. That question alone is one of the many reasons I love this girl. Here's what I told her. Please feel free to add anything you think I left out.

Turning 30 is a milestone in a woman's life. It's not the end. In fact, it's more like the beginning. With that in mind, here are a few things I wish I knew when I reached it.

1. Have standards. That means that there should be some non-negotiables in your life. If drugs/smoking/etc. go against your personal code of ethics, don't settle for a person who engages those things just so you can say you have someone.

2. You are worth more than the sum of your parts. Guys will praise you for your body, but keep in mind that you have a brain that works quite well. If a man can't come up with more than, "You so fine," keep it moving.

3. Sometimes it's good to be alone. If you've jumped from relationship to relationship, you may need some time alone to figure out exactly who you are, what you want, and what you DON'T want from life, love, and career.

4. Try new things. I think we tend to look to our friends for validation in our 20s, which means that if our friends laugh at our ideas, we'll back off. Don't. Try that new restaurant. Take that class. Learn how to swim/knit/etc. Everything you try won't stick, but at least you'll know first-hand how you feel about whatever it is.

5. Surround yourself with positive people. Don't allow anyone in your circle that drains the life out of you. Am I saying be around people who think/talk/act like you? Not necessarily. You need some differing opinions in your camp to get different perspectives. However, if they love you, they'll know how to disagree without being disagreeable...and how to speak in love.

Comments

Unknown said…
Start moisturizing if you haven't already...beauty may be only skin deep...but we still want beautiful skin...at every age.

Start taking a multivitamin. Maintaining your health should begin before you have a reason to be concerned or before you are off your parent's medical plan.
March 17, 2012 at 4:11:00 AM EDT
Renea said…
Great advice. I always say you spend the first part of your 20s getting over your teens. By 25, you should be making better decisions and by 30 you shouldn't be putting up with foolishness.
April 12, 2012 at 11:45:00 PM EDT
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