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30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30
Featuring advice, wisdom, and observations from an array of prominent and beloved women, 30 Things is an essential guide (and perfect gift) for women on the brink of thirty—and for those who are already there!
Fifteen years ago, Glamour published a list of distinctive yet universally true must-haves and must-knows for women on the cusp of and beyond the age of thirty titled, “30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She’s 30.” It became a phenomenon.
Originally penned by Glamour columnist Pamela Redmond Satran, The List found a second life when women began to forward it to one another online, millions of times. It became a viral sensation, misattributed to everyone from Maya Angelou to Hillary Clinton—but there’s only one original list, and it stands the test of time. Quirky and profound, The List defines the absolute must-haves (#11: “A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra”) and must-knows (#1: “How to fall in love without losing yourself”) for grown-up female happiness.
Now, Glamour magazine has gathered together its editors and an incredible group of notable women to expand on each of the items on The List in wise, thoughtful, and intimate essays. Kathy Griffin meditates on knowing when to try harder and when to walk away. Lisa Ling explores the idea that your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over, and Lauren Conrad shares what she has learned about what she would and wouldn’t do for money or love. Other personal insights come from Maya Angelou, Rachel Zoe, Taylor Swift, Katie Couric, Portia de Rossi, Kelly Corrigan, ZZ Packer, Bobbi Brown, Padma Lakshmi, Angie Harmon, and many more.
Along with essays based on The List, writers share their feelings about what the milestone of turning thirty meant to them. 30 Things is the one book women of all ages will turn to for timely and timeless wisdom.
Fifteen years ago, Glamour published a list of distinctive yet universally true must-haves and must-knows for women on the cusp of and beyond the age of thirty titled, “30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She’s 30.” It became a phenomenon.
Originally penned by Glamour columnist Pamela Redmond Satran, The List found a second life when women began to forward it to one another online, millions of times. It became a viral sensation, misattributed to everyone from Maya Angelou to Hillary Clinton—but there’s only one original list, and it stands the test of time. Quirky and profound, The List defines the absolute must-haves (#11: “A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra”) and must-knows (#1: “How to fall in love without losing yourself”) for grown-up female happiness.
Now, Glamour magazine has gathered together its editors and an incredible group of notable women to expand on each of the items on The List in wise, thoughtful, and intimate essays. Kathy Griffin meditates on knowing when to try harder and when to walk away. Lisa Ling explores the idea that your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over, and Lauren Conrad shares what she has learned about what she would and wouldn’t do for money or love. Other personal insights come from Maya Angelou, Rachel Zoe, Taylor Swift, Katie Couric, Portia de Rossi, Kelly Corrigan, ZZ Packer, Bobbi Brown, Padma Lakshmi, Angie Harmon, and many more.
Along with essays based on The List, writers share their feelings about what the milestone of turning thirty meant to them. 30 Things is the one book women of all ages will turn to for timely and timeless wisdom.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
70 people are currently reading
2457 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Redmond Satran
42 books315 followersPamela Redmond Satran is the author of 20 books, both fiction and non-fiction. Her most recent novel, The Possibility of You, is written as Pamela Redmond and published by Simon & Schuster's Gallery Books. A New York Times bestselling humor writer, she has a new humor book, Rabid: Are You Crazy About Your Dog or Just Crazy?, due out from Bloomsbury in September 2012. She is the creator with Linda Rosenkrantz of the million-visitor website Nameberry, based on the 10 books on baby names they coauthored. Satran also writes The Glamour List column and contributes to The Huffington Post and The Daily Beast.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
May 19, 2015
"You can't change your past, but you can change your mind about your past."
"Maybe I wasn't a terrible person after all. Maybe I was just learning - like all of us - how to be good."
1. Skinny black jeans.
2. White button-down shirt.
3. Go-to dress.
4. Black pumps.
5. Black opaque tights.
6. Lace tank.
7. Ballet flats.
8. White t-shirt.
9. Black lace bra.
10. Great suitcase, purse, umbrella.
"Most of us fear that in growing old, we'll become a shell of ourselves. But, of course, it's the youthful versions of ourselves that are our shells; we must leave them behind like snakeskin. We must grow out of ourselves to grow beyond our old limits, or else risk being suffocated by the sediment of our own history."
"If you are willing to learn, to grow, to outrun the mileposts of your own wildest dreams, you can always be winsome and lucky, lovely and free."
"If it doesn't feel like love - if you're sad more than you're happy - that's a huge indicator that you need to walk. You need to know when to let go."
"Saving up to buy things you want and deserve is a way of taking control of your life and your happiness, of recognizing that no one but you is responsible for getting you what you want in this world. It also says to everyone around you: "I treat myself well - so you should treat me that way too."
"You deserve greatness - now go for it."
"Life is not a fairy tale; it's a parade of events that help you accrue wisdom and courage and faith. You learn first that you can and, later, that you should."
"If you want what she has, hang out in her world."
"I didn't want to be in that place of self-doubt and low-esteem where the rest of life was forbidden to me. I wanted the opposite. I wanted to walk through life like I owned it."
"The more grateful we feel for our families, for our friends, for the good health we have, the more we will nourish those things for the future."
"If you're not exactly where you wanted to be, exactly when you wanted to be there, don't sweat it. I hadn't met the career goals I'd hoped to reach by thirty, but I got there eventually."
"If you want it all badly enough, you figure out how to make it work."
"What would you attempt to do if you knew you couldn't fail?"
"Just go for it! Your life is now."
"Stay on your own mat. Not physically, but mentally. In life, we're all made differently: our families, our frames, our personalities and talents. Appreciate how you were made, and stay on your mat. That's where happiness lies."
"I did create that better life for myself."
"Run toward challenges instead of away from them. And I will always be adamant about the fact that women should be more independent and less reliant on men."
"Making peace with the past was the first step; being grateful for it was the second. Now, at last, I can appreciate the woman those experiences created: me."
"You have to stay true to the kind of person you are."
"The most important thing is that the person you're with makes you happy."
"Those things you want so badly will come in due time."
"If there is one thing I could do over, I would just have accepted who I was at the time."
"What I would not have done is compare myself with models and actresses - and neither should you."
"It's a lot of baggage to collect enemies. It's very debilitating and disempowering. So I finally decided it was just better to turn the other cheek."
"Life isn't a contest - beauty, popularity, or otherwise. And there's happiness to go around for all of us."
"Maybe I wasn't a terrible person after all. Maybe I was just learning - like all of us - how to be good."
1. Skinny black jeans.
2. White button-down shirt.
3. Go-to dress.
4. Black pumps.
5. Black opaque tights.
6. Lace tank.
7. Ballet flats.
8. White t-shirt.
9. Black lace bra.
10. Great suitcase, purse, umbrella.
"Most of us fear that in growing old, we'll become a shell of ourselves. But, of course, it's the youthful versions of ourselves that are our shells; we must leave them behind like snakeskin. We must grow out of ourselves to grow beyond our old limits, or else risk being suffocated by the sediment of our own history."
"If you are willing to learn, to grow, to outrun the mileposts of your own wildest dreams, you can always be winsome and lucky, lovely and free."
"If it doesn't feel like love - if you're sad more than you're happy - that's a huge indicator that you need to walk. You need to know when to let go."
"Saving up to buy things you want and deserve is a way of taking control of your life and your happiness, of recognizing that no one but you is responsible for getting you what you want in this world. It also says to everyone around you: "I treat myself well - so you should treat me that way too."
"You deserve greatness - now go for it."
"Life is not a fairy tale; it's a parade of events that help you accrue wisdom and courage and faith. You learn first that you can and, later, that you should."
"If you want what she has, hang out in her world."
"I didn't want to be in that place of self-doubt and low-esteem where the rest of life was forbidden to me. I wanted the opposite. I wanted to walk through life like I owned it."
"The more grateful we feel for our families, for our friends, for the good health we have, the more we will nourish those things for the future."
"If you're not exactly where you wanted to be, exactly when you wanted to be there, don't sweat it. I hadn't met the career goals I'd hoped to reach by thirty, but I got there eventually."
"If you want it all badly enough, you figure out how to make it work."
"What would you attempt to do if you knew you couldn't fail?"
"Just go for it! Your life is now."
"Stay on your own mat. Not physically, but mentally. In life, we're all made differently: our families, our frames, our personalities and talents. Appreciate how you were made, and stay on your mat. That's where happiness lies."
"I did create that better life for myself."
"Run toward challenges instead of away from them. And I will always be adamant about the fact that women should be more independent and less reliant on men."
"Making peace with the past was the first step; being grateful for it was the second. Now, at last, I can appreciate the woman those experiences created: me."
"You have to stay true to the kind of person you are."
"The most important thing is that the person you're with makes you happy."
"Those things you want so badly will come in due time."
"If there is one thing I could do over, I would just have accepted who I was at the time."
"What I would not have done is compare myself with models and actresses - and neither should you."
"It's a lot of baggage to collect enemies. It's very debilitating and disempowering. So I finally decided it was just better to turn the other cheek."
"Life isn't a contest - beauty, popularity, or otherwise. And there's happiness to go around for all of us."
July 9, 2021
I must admit that reading this book was a hasty decision as when my friend loaned it to me I told her that I will add it to my reading list. However for some reason (and being double and some the age it talks about) it got the best of me. So I finished it in few hours.
Do I feel that the book and it’s content applies to me? Well, let’s see: by the time I was thirty, I had a great job, married to a person that I love, had a son and gone back to university on a fully paid scholarship by my employer. By the age of 36 I had built my own house and has three lovely children, and by the age of 42 I was in a beautiful country starting my higher studies. I don’t think I had any hardship in my life apart from the fact that I worked continuously until now.
The book doesn’t apply to our society (or at least I don’t think it applies to me personally) we never think that turning thirty or forty or any age is something to ponder upon.
The chapters of the book were written by great women who are writers or columnists or holding great jobs. So I am not going to say that the book is not nice. All I am saying that it may not be applicable to people in the East.
Here is a list of some of the writers in the book (Maya Angelou’s book is on the list to be read soon):
“ZZ PACKER, thirty-nine, was named one of The New Yorker’s “20 Under 40.” She is the author of the story collection Drinking Coffee Elsewhere”
“SLOANE CROSLEY, thirty-three, is the author of the books I Was Told There’d Be Cake and How Did You Get This Number. She is a frequent contributor to The New York Times and other publications.”
“GENEVIEVE FIELD, forty-one, is a contributing editor at Glamour and the cofounder of the online magazine and dating site Nerve. She is the editor of several anthologies of fiction and nonfiction, including Sex and Sensibility: 28 True Romances from the Lives of Single Women.”
“SUZE ORMAN, sixty, is the two-time Emmy Award–winning host of The Suze Orman Show. She is a sought-after motivational speaker and the author of The Money Class, among other best-selling financial advice books”
“JACQUELYN MITCHARD’S first novel, The Deep End of the Ocean, was Oprah’s first-ever Book Club selection and was named by USA Today as one of the ten most influential books of the past twenty-five years—second only to the Harry Potter series. Her latest novel is Second Nature: A Love Story. Mitchard is fifty-five.”
“JULIE ROTTENBERG AND ELISA ZURITSKY, both forty-two, were three-time Emmy- and Writers Guild–nominated writers and producers for HBO’s Sex and the City. Their personal essays and humor pieces have appeared in The New York Times, Slate, and Glamour. They are currently writers and co–executive producers on NBC’s Smash.”
“KELLY CORRIGAN, forty-four, is the author of The Middle Place and Lift. She is a YouTube sensation whose beloved “Transcending” video was sent woman-to-woman to more than 4 million viewers. She is the founder of circusofcancer.org.”
“FIONA MAAZEL, thirty-seven, is the author of the novel Last Last Chance. She is a National Book Foundation “5 Under 35” honoree, recipient of a Lannan Residency Fellowship, and winner of the Bard Prize for Fiction in 2009. Her new novel, Woke Up Lonely, is forthcoming.”
“PADMA LAKSHMI, forty-one, is the host of Bravo’s Top Chef and author of the cookbooks Easy Exotic and Tangy Tart Hot & sweet”
“After all, even every little and big mistake, like every scar, can be a lesson in humility—one of the greatest gifts of all.”
“ANGIE HARMON, thirty-nine, is a film and television actress currently starring on the TNT drama Rizzoli & Isles. She began her career as an international runway and print model; in 2001 she married NFL star Jason Sehorn, with whom she has three daughters.”
“MELISSA DE LA CRUZ, forty, is the author of the Blue Bloods series for teens. Her books for adults include Witches of East End and Serpent’s Kiss.”
“RACHEL ZOE, forty, is a Hollywood stylist and the star of Bravo’s hit reality show The Rachel Zoe Project. She recently launched her own clothing line, the Rachel Zoe Collection”
“KATHY GRIFFIN, fifty-one, is a stand-up comedian and star of Bravo’s Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, for which she’s won two Emmys. She’s also a Grammy nominee and the author of the memoir Official Book Club Selection”
“SANDRA LEE, forty-five, is editor-in-chief of Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine, the host of two multi-Emmy-nominated cooking shows on Food Network, and the author of twenty-five books. She has been awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for her contributions to society.”
“PAMELA REDMOND SATRAN is the author of the novel The Possibility of You and the forthcoming humor book Rabid, as well as a creator of the website nameberry.com. A mother of three, she intends to look and act thirty-seven forever”
“LISA LING, thirty-seven, a former cohost on The View, is now the host of Our America with Lisa Ling on the Oprah Winfrey Network. She is the cofounder of the Secret Society of Women, a forum for women to anonymously share their secrets.”
“LAUREN CONRAD, twenty-six, is currently at work on her second trilogy of novels, following her successful L.A. Candy series. She designs two clothing lines, Paper Crown and LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl’s, and is the creative force behind laurenconrad.com and thebeautydepartment.com.”
“KATIE CROUCH, thirty-eight, is the author of the novels Girls in Trucks, Men and Dogs, and, for girls about half the age of thirty, The Magnolia League.”
“BOBBI BROWN, fifty-five, founder and chief creative officer of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, is the author of six beauty and lifestyle books. She is devoted to philanthropic causes, including Dress for”
“LIZ SMITH, eighty-nine, has worked in showbiz and news for more than half a century. She has written gossip columns and celebrity profiles and won an Emmy for her on-air reporting from the battleship Intrepid on the fortieth anniversary of World War II. She has raised millions of dollars for AIDS, literacy, and the conservation of New York City landmarks.”
“MAYA ANGELOU, eighty-four, is hailed as one of the greatest voices of contemporary literature. She is an author, poet, and speaker. She has written thirty-one books, ten of them national bestsellers, including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Dr. Angelou has also received over fifty honorary degrees, served on two presidential committees, and has been awarded both the Presidential Medal of Arts and the Lincoln Medal. She currently serves as a lifetime Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University”
She mentioned some books too:
“1. A book stand, and on it:
2. A good dictionary
3. A Roget’s Thesaurus
4. Sula by Toni Morrison
5. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
6. Poetry by Edna St. Vincent Millay
7. A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf
8. The Heart of a Woman by Maya Angelou
9. The Selected Poems of Nikki Giovanni
10. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
11. The Kitchen God’s Wife by Amy Tan
12. The Woman Warrior: Memories of a Girlhood Among Ghosts by Maxine Hong Kingston
13. The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende”
Fun to read just to compare the differences in thoughts and behaviors
Do I feel that the book and it’s content applies to me? Well, let’s see: by the time I was thirty, I had a great job, married to a person that I love, had a son and gone back to university on a fully paid scholarship by my employer. By the age of 36 I had built my own house and has three lovely children, and by the age of 42 I was in a beautiful country starting my higher studies. I don’t think I had any hardship in my life apart from the fact that I worked continuously until now.
The book doesn’t apply to our society (or at least I don’t think it applies to me personally) we never think that turning thirty or forty or any age is something to ponder upon.
The chapters of the book were written by great women who are writers or columnists or holding great jobs. So I am not going to say that the book is not nice. All I am saying that it may not be applicable to people in the East.
Here is a list of some of the writers in the book (Maya Angelou’s book is on the list to be read soon):
“ZZ PACKER, thirty-nine, was named one of The New Yorker’s “20 Under 40.” She is the author of the story collection Drinking Coffee Elsewhere”
“SLOANE CROSLEY, thirty-three, is the author of the books I Was Told There’d Be Cake and How Did You Get This Number. She is a frequent contributor to The New York Times and other publications.”
“GENEVIEVE FIELD, forty-one, is a contributing editor at Glamour and the cofounder of the online magazine and dating site Nerve. She is the editor of several anthologies of fiction and nonfiction, including Sex and Sensibility: 28 True Romances from the Lives of Single Women.”
“SUZE ORMAN, sixty, is the two-time Emmy Award–winning host of The Suze Orman Show. She is a sought-after motivational speaker and the author of The Money Class, among other best-selling financial advice books”
“JACQUELYN MITCHARD’S first novel, The Deep End of the Ocean, was Oprah’s first-ever Book Club selection and was named by USA Today as one of the ten most influential books of the past twenty-five years—second only to the Harry Potter series. Her latest novel is Second Nature: A Love Story. Mitchard is fifty-five.”
“JULIE ROTTENBERG AND ELISA ZURITSKY, both forty-two, were three-time Emmy- and Writers Guild–nominated writers and producers for HBO’s Sex and the City. Their personal essays and humor pieces have appeared in The New York Times, Slate, and Glamour. They are currently writers and co–executive producers on NBC’s Smash.”
“KELLY CORRIGAN, forty-four, is the author of The Middle Place and Lift. She is a YouTube sensation whose beloved “Transcending” video was sent woman-to-woman to more than 4 million viewers. She is the founder of circusofcancer.org.”
“FIONA MAAZEL, thirty-seven, is the author of the novel Last Last Chance. She is a National Book Foundation “5 Under 35” honoree, recipient of a Lannan Residency Fellowship, and winner of the Bard Prize for Fiction in 2009. Her new novel, Woke Up Lonely, is forthcoming.”
“PADMA LAKSHMI, forty-one, is the host of Bravo’s Top Chef and author of the cookbooks Easy Exotic and Tangy Tart Hot & sweet”
“After all, even every little and big mistake, like every scar, can be a lesson in humility—one of the greatest gifts of all.”
“ANGIE HARMON, thirty-nine, is a film and television actress currently starring on the TNT drama Rizzoli & Isles. She began her career as an international runway and print model; in 2001 she married NFL star Jason Sehorn, with whom she has three daughters.”
“MELISSA DE LA CRUZ, forty, is the author of the Blue Bloods series for teens. Her books for adults include Witches of East End and Serpent’s Kiss.”
“RACHEL ZOE, forty, is a Hollywood stylist and the star of Bravo’s hit reality show The Rachel Zoe Project. She recently launched her own clothing line, the Rachel Zoe Collection”
“KATHY GRIFFIN, fifty-one, is a stand-up comedian and star of Bravo’s Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, for which she’s won two Emmys. She’s also a Grammy nominee and the author of the memoir Official Book Club Selection”
“SANDRA LEE, forty-five, is editor-in-chief of Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine, the host of two multi-Emmy-nominated cooking shows on Food Network, and the author of twenty-five books. She has been awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for her contributions to society.”
“PAMELA REDMOND SATRAN is the author of the novel The Possibility of You and the forthcoming humor book Rabid, as well as a creator of the website nameberry.com. A mother of three, she intends to look and act thirty-seven forever”
“LISA LING, thirty-seven, a former cohost on The View, is now the host of Our America with Lisa Ling on the Oprah Winfrey Network. She is the cofounder of the Secret Society of Women, a forum for women to anonymously share their secrets.”
“LAUREN CONRAD, twenty-six, is currently at work on her second trilogy of novels, following her successful L.A. Candy series. She designs two clothing lines, Paper Crown and LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl’s, and is the creative force behind laurenconrad.com and thebeautydepartment.com.”
“KATIE CROUCH, thirty-eight, is the author of the novels Girls in Trucks, Men and Dogs, and, for girls about half the age of thirty, The Magnolia League.”
“BOBBI BROWN, fifty-five, founder and chief creative officer of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, is the author of six beauty and lifestyle books. She is devoted to philanthropic causes, including Dress for”
“LIZ SMITH, eighty-nine, has worked in showbiz and news for more than half a century. She has written gossip columns and celebrity profiles and won an Emmy for her on-air reporting from the battleship Intrepid on the fortieth anniversary of World War II. She has raised millions of dollars for AIDS, literacy, and the conservation of New York City landmarks.”
“MAYA ANGELOU, eighty-four, is hailed as one of the greatest voices of contemporary literature. She is an author, poet, and speaker. She has written thirty-one books, ten of them national bestsellers, including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Dr. Angelou has also received over fifty honorary degrees, served on two presidential committees, and has been awarded both the Presidential Medal of Arts and the Lincoln Medal. She currently serves as a lifetime Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University”
She mentioned some books too:
“1. A book stand, and on it:
2. A good dictionary
3. A Roget’s Thesaurus
4. Sula by Toni Morrison
5. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
6. Poetry by Edna St. Vincent Millay
7. A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf
8. The Heart of a Woman by Maya Angelou
9. The Selected Poems of Nikki Giovanni
10. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
11. The Kitchen God’s Wife by Amy Tan
12. The Woman Warrior: Memories of a Girlhood Among Ghosts by Maxine Hong Kingston
13. The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende”
Fun to read just to compare the differences in thoughts and behaviors
March 3, 2013
I have always loved lists and I remember always enjoying the Glamour magazine list when I was working @ Ernst & Young. I'd buy this magazine and then read it while I ate my lunch in the extremely busy and loud foodcourt. My favourite list was the one where they suggested celebrating the new year by being very prepared for the year ahead, stocking up on toilet paper and laundry detergent, and then coming home and knowing that you hadn't made the most glamorous (funny) purchases but you'd have the satisfaction of knowing you were prepared for the year ahead. I still feel that way when I look at a well-stocked linen closet or pantry, so I felt like I had to give this book a read. I'm rating it pretty low because I didn't find it very inspiring, even thought it is meant to be, and I am cautious of any list that says you will feel satisfied or complete when you have "something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it". I think we should be able to figure that out without a list in a book. Still it was entertaining and that is a nice thing on a dark Friday night when everyone else is out of the house... fun to look back on Glamour magazines gone by.
October 13, 2014
I'm turning 30 in a few months and I just wanted a book to kind of reflect with. I didn't not agree with the lists in this book. I thought most of the lists of things you should have and should know are silly. For instance, #8 says you should have an email address, voice-mail and bank account that's all yours by the time your 30...I think this is crazy cause I had those 3 things by the time I was 16! The content in the book could've been more developed. I definitely think this is a self help book for women who are dreading going into their 30s. I'm not dreading it, I'm actually looking forward to it so maybe that's why I simply cannot connect with this book.
July 29, 2012
This is a really fun read for any woman in the vicinity of her 30s; I just had to get it as an early birthday present from my Mom, and loved it! It's a really quick read, with lots of good advice and tidbits of inspiration. I did find it a bit odd that there were a couple of contributors less than 30, but they wrote from a perspective of looking forward, so I suppose that's a viable vantage point to provide a bit of variety. Here are some of my favorite passages:
"You can't change your past, but you can chance your mind about your past."
"Every relationship we have in our lives, whether it lasts five hours with a stranger on a plane or fifty years with our soulmate, is meant to teach us something."
"...sometimes life has plans for us and our loved ones that are far, far beyond our grasp."
"Of course, not every surprise the universe throws at you is a happy one. ... if you're not exactly here you wanted to be, exactly when you wanted to be there, don't sweat it."
"It's a lot of baggage to collect enemies. It's very debilitating and disempowering."
"You can't change your past, but you can chance your mind about your past."
"Every relationship we have in our lives, whether it lasts five hours with a stranger on a plane or fifty years with our soulmate, is meant to teach us something."
"...sometimes life has plans for us and our loved ones that are far, far beyond our grasp."
"Of course, not every surprise the universe throws at you is a happy one. ... if you're not exactly here you wanted to be, exactly when you wanted to be there, don't sweat it."
"It's a lot of baggage to collect enemies. It's very debilitating and disempowering."
June 11, 2012
This book would make an excellent gift for a daughter/niece/grand-daughter/friend starting out for college. That said, I don't feel it is limited to the "under 30" age group. It's a good quick read, and as I was reading it, I wished I'd had these women's advice earlier in my life (would I have been smart enough to take that advice? probably not, but I'll be optimistic for my past-self). Gave me a few things to think about.
Great tips on self-worth, money, love, and life in general. Added to recommended list.
Great tips on self-worth, money, love, and life in general. Added to recommended list.
March 2, 2022
This has been on my TBR for years and I finally got around to reading it at the age of 27. I think that over the years I must have forgotten what the book was to be about as it wasn't what I expected. I guess I was thinking about recommendations for medical check-ups, financial tips, work and career tips, etc. And there are a couple in here, but mostly it's a collection of short non-fiction stories and advice from women who are very successful in their fields (business, journalism, finance, cooking, acting, writing, music, etc.).
I also got it in my head (over the years of this book sitting on my TBR) that this would be a sort of guide or "instruction manual," and I thought this in particular as I'd read somewhere that Glamour magazine had lamented that there is no instruction manual on how to be an adult, so they thought they'd make on. But I'd describe it more as an advice book of short stories. Which is still nice, but not quite what I wanted.
So, really this isn't for me. There is some good advice in there that I learned elsewhere, such as developing a good hygiene (FLOSS YER TEETH) and workout routine before hitting 30. Move on from the past, accept who you were and allow yourself room to grow. Learn when to say no and leave, etc. But they are definitely things you must learn elsewhere, and some are very difficult things to learn.
I also got it in my head (over the years of this book sitting on my TBR) that this would be a sort of guide or "instruction manual," and I thought this in particular as I'd read somewhere that Glamour magazine had lamented that there is no instruction manual on how to be an adult, so they thought they'd make on. But I'd describe it more as an advice book of short stories. Which is still nice, but not quite what I wanted.
So, really this isn't for me. There is some good advice in there that I learned elsewhere, such as developing a good hygiene (FLOSS YER TEETH) and workout routine before hitting 30. Move on from the past, accept who you were and allow yourself room to grow. Learn when to say no and leave, etc. But they are definitely things you must learn elsewhere, and some are very difficult things to learn.
October 19, 2014
This book is filled with encouraging words from some awesome women of all ages. It focuses on being true to yourself, loving yourself and working damn hard to achieve your dreams.
Some of the entries that I particularly loved are:
What 30 Means to Me - "Being Grateful for Life’s Gifts" by Padma Lakshmi
By 30 You Should Have – “A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better” by Katie Couric
By 30 You Should Know – “How to fall in love without losing yourself” by Melissa de la Cruz.
By 30 You Should Know – “How you feel about having kids” by Rachel Zoe.
By 30 You Should Know – “That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long” by Katie Crouch
By 30 You Should Know – “Why they say life begins at 30!” by the editors of Glamour Magazine
Some of the entries that I particularly loved are:
What 30 Means to Me - "Being Grateful for Life’s Gifts" by Padma Lakshmi
By 30 You Should Have – “A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better” by Katie Couric
By 30 You Should Know – “How to fall in love without losing yourself” by Melissa de la Cruz.
By 30 You Should Know – “How you feel about having kids” by Rachel Zoe.
By 30 You Should Know – “That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long” by Katie Crouch
By 30 You Should Know – “Why they say life begins at 30!” by the editors of Glamour Magazine
January 14, 2013
I love lists, so this book was great for me. I hope to complete this list by the time I'm 30, or close after turning 30. I've got about a year and a half left, so I think I can do it. My only issue with this list is there were a couple of items that one could possibly not complete because it has to do with your past (having a past juicy enough to tell in your old age, for example). You can't change your past, so if you didn't do/have those experiences, then you're screwed I guess. I did enjoy the book, it was a fast and easy read. Getting everything checked off the list will be much harder!
July 17, 2014
A really nice little book for any woman, of any age, to read. A quick read filled with some great wisdom and advice. Portia di Rossi's piece particularly resonated with me: There are so many things about yourself that you can't change, and that you shouldn't change. We're always told we need to "fix" things about ourselves, from our hair color to our weight, which we really don't need to. Sometimes you don't realize things until you hear it from someone else. Definitely recommended.
February 20, 2019
Of course I didn’t like every part of this, and I thought some of it focused way too much on superficial things that at the age of 42 I don’t give a shit about, but the gist of this book is to know who you are and be confident in that. In love, in friendship, in your career, in family. Be kind to yourself and others, surround yourself in people and things that make you your best, and live this one life you have in the best way you can. Cheers to that.
June 23, 2021
did not particularly enjoy this book but not going to lie, some advices were incredibly eye-opening & thought provoking. 3/5.
August 3, 2021
This book annoyed me at some points and gave me some food for thought at others. I used to read glamour between the ages of 18-22 and then stopped along with its flashier cousin “cosmopolitan”. I did this because I become turned off at the advice they were giving and this book is no exception. read it for fun, but don’t take it as a gospel. Think of it more as a book of reflections from people you’ve heard dog and people you haven’t. You can age nicely into your 30’s without this book or others like it.
February 14, 2014
A high point: "As women, we experience our first major purchases as a kind of rite of passage. If we're lucky enough to have the opportunity to make a good living, we purchase a really nice designer handbag to tell the world, 'I'm old enough to afford this.' By the age of, say, twenty-seven, we find outselves springing for nice dinners with girlfriends and taking vacations that necessitate airplanes. But by the time we're staring down the barrel of thirty, furniture really is the final frontier. The purchase of it (over a new dress) requires a shifting perspective: one that says, 'I live here now.' 'Here' being your own life." - Sloane Crosley
A low point: "What 30 Means to Me" by Taylor Swift.
A low point: "What 30 Means to Me" by Taylor Swift.
June 20, 2025
2.5 ⭐
I read this 4 months before turning 30. As expected, it's a bit antiquated (and I knew most of the life lessons already, which I suppose is a good thing) but it did contain some valuable reminders and pearls of wisdom nonetheless. These include:
● You can't change your past, but you can change your perspective about your past.
● Don't mythologize your past, be content to grow.
● Seek adventures.
● Nourish your support system.
● Spoil yourself every once in a while because you deserve it.
● Believe that you deserve it.
● Physical scars are a symbol of survival.
And, most importantly: life begins at 30.
I read this 4 months before turning 30. As expected, it's a bit antiquated (and I knew most of the life lessons already, which I suppose is a good thing) but it did contain some valuable reminders and pearls of wisdom nonetheless. These include:
● You can't change your past, but you can change your perspective about your past.
● Don't mythologize your past, be content to grow.
● Seek adventures.
● Nourish your support system.
● Spoil yourself every once in a while because you deserve it.
● Believe that you deserve it.
● Physical scars are a symbol of survival.
And, most importantly: life begins at 30.
May 9, 2020
I wanted to like this one more than I did, and I love the IDEA. Unfortunately it felt like many of the authors were simply trying to one up each other with what they’ve achieved by what time. Despite them trying to say the opposite, it made my stomach drop and my shoulders tense with stress in feeling I was ‘behind’. Some advice was useful, but overall, you could definitely tell it was produced by a ‘women’s magazine’ and all of the negative, faux empowerment, stereotypes that entails.
June 14, 2013
I had already read the list, and that's why I picked up this book, but there's nothing new here. Each # is accompanied by a story from different 'famous-ish' women, and there is some insightful stuff but not worth the money I paid.
April 9, 2015
This book was something I picked up at my local library and after reading it I went to go buy at B&N because it was that much of a great book! I'm 24 going on to 25 and this book made me feel more than okay about where I am in life. A definite read for all women in their 20s!
June 9, 2017
Mostly great essays. What's fascinating is that every writer in this book has a different writing voice and style. Reading this book feels like being in a club and being comforted by a lot of wise sisters (except for Lauren Conrad and Taylor Swift).
June 14, 2012
lame.
March 7, 2013
I read this for Sloane
May 23, 2014
Good tips and teachings to keep in mind if you are going to turn 30, are 30 or past 30. So basically for every women, just a quick reminder to help you enjoy life no matter how old you are.
May 25, 2016
This was a birthday gift from my dear friend! I read it with a pen and now am on a mission to work on a few items from this list ;)
July 16, 2016
An amusing compilation that frankly, at my advanced age, seem pretty tame ;)
Perhaps useful for the kids...
Perhaps useful for the kids...
November 21, 2020
Thirty things every woman should have and should know by the time she's 3o is not only for those below 30.
This is a timeless, ageless book for every woman.
This is a timeless, ageless book for every woman.
October 22, 2022
Back in 1997, the year
I
turned thirty, Glamour Magazine (to which I'd had a subscription since my teens) ran Pamela Redmond Satran's list column with one that caught my eye, "Thirty Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know." I thought it was cute and clipped it out. Over the last 25 years, it's popped up in all sorts of places, from email chains to social media, attributed to just about everyone except Satran.
So, a decade ago, Condé Nast (publishers of Glamour) published this book, with the original essay, and various woman (of various ages) each writing an essay on the topic of one of the items in the list.
The first thing that will strike you is that a book written for women ten years ago feels like life as a woman was less fraught. It, wasn't, but we weren't talking about it. We were still making less than men, but Roe didn't feel like it was in danger. Men were still harassing us, but we (or at least society as a whole) didn't know how globally oppressive it really was.
We were in the middle of a resurgence of hope, and the resurgence of fascism didn't yet appear to be on the horizon. So, a book of essays about how to be upbeat, resilient, wise, healthy, and have practical and philosophical "things" in our possession didn't seem quite as naive as it does now. (We weren't talking much about race and LGBTQ+ issues, which makes us seem not only naive, but ignorant.) Social media was a part of our lives, but it hadn't yet caused the almost-complete breakdown of our ability to be private about things and maintain focus reading an entire book.
And, of course, it was before a global pandemic, which made our financial situations, mental and physical health, and social lives seem shockingly stable compared to what we know today.
Basically, while everything in the book would feel recognizable to someone 30 or 50 or 70, I imagine that the average 20 year old reading this might find it laughably naive in what in focuses on or leaves out. But, I'm not 20. I'm 55, and I turned 30 the year the first essay appeared, and I found almost all of these essays, even at my ripe old age, to be resonant.
I imagine that Jacquelyn Mitchard's take on having "An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account -- all of which nobody has access to but you" might have focused much more on preventing hacking and financial security than it did. Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky might have had a take on "A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded" might have covered more in-depth issues related to the searchability of our online history.
But other pieces were still on point, such as Fiona Maazel's approach to having "the believe that you deserve it" or Melissa De La Cruz's take on "How to fall in love without losing yourself."
Some of the woman quoted are people I'd normally never give a second's attention: Lauren Conrad? Portia De Rossi? Rachel Zoe? Others offered wisdom I'd want to explore: Maya Angelou, Sloane Crossley.
At almost twice the age of 30, I can think of things we need to have and know at 60 that would be worth exploration, but that doesn't mean that most of these essays aren't worth reading. Glamour is a website now, and it's as frivolous but more activist than it was 25 years ago (though not as activist as the brilliantly political and investigative Teen Vogue. Every one of these gentle essays, albeit perhaps too naive for our age, is nonetheless a balm for the soul. At 55, I have and know more than I did at 30 (though I was savvy, if broke, back then). But it would be nice to have some women up ahead of me (even a mix of those I respect and those at whom I roll my eyes) to offer up their takes.
There's probably nothing here that you desperately need to read, whether at 28 at 58, but there's a charm to the advice, which is neither outdated nor quite of our time. (And don't miss Maya Angelou's own list at the end of the book.)
So, a decade ago, Condé Nast (publishers of Glamour) published this book, with the original essay, and various woman (of various ages) each writing an essay on the topic of one of the items in the list.
The first thing that will strike you is that a book written for women ten years ago feels like life as a woman was less fraught. It, wasn't, but we weren't talking about it. We were still making less than men, but Roe didn't feel like it was in danger. Men were still harassing us, but we (or at least society as a whole) didn't know how globally oppressive it really was.
We were in the middle of a resurgence of hope, and the resurgence of fascism didn't yet appear to be on the horizon. So, a book of essays about how to be upbeat, resilient, wise, healthy, and have practical and philosophical "things" in our possession didn't seem quite as naive as it does now. (We weren't talking much about race and LGBTQ+ issues, which makes us seem not only naive, but ignorant.) Social media was a part of our lives, but it hadn't yet caused the almost-complete breakdown of our ability to be private about things and maintain focus reading an entire book.
And, of course, it was before a global pandemic, which made our financial situations, mental and physical health, and social lives seem shockingly stable compared to what we know today.
Basically, while everything in the book would feel recognizable to someone 30 or 50 or 70, I imagine that the average 20 year old reading this might find it laughably naive in what in focuses on or leaves out. But, I'm not 20. I'm 55, and I turned 30 the year the first essay appeared, and I found almost all of these essays, even at my ripe old age, to be resonant.
I imagine that Jacquelyn Mitchard's take on having "An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account -- all of which nobody has access to but you" might have focused much more on preventing hacking and financial security than it did. Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky might have had a take on "A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded" might have covered more in-depth issues related to the searchability of our online history.
But other pieces were still on point, such as Fiona Maazel's approach to having "the believe that you deserve it" or Melissa De La Cruz's take on "How to fall in love without losing yourself."
Some of the woman quoted are people I'd normally never give a second's attention: Lauren Conrad? Portia De Rossi? Rachel Zoe? Others offered wisdom I'd want to explore: Maya Angelou, Sloane Crossley.
At almost twice the age of 30, I can think of things we need to have and know at 60 that would be worth exploration, but that doesn't mean that most of these essays aren't worth reading. Glamour is a website now, and it's as frivolous but more activist than it was 25 years ago (though not as activist as the brilliantly political and investigative Teen Vogue. Every one of these gentle essays, albeit perhaps too naive for our age, is nonetheless a balm for the soul. At 55, I have and know more than I did at 30 (though I was savvy, if broke, back then). But it would be nice to have some women up ahead of me (even a mix of those I respect and those at whom I roll my eyes) to offer up their takes.
There's probably nothing here that you desperately need to read, whether at 28 at 58, but there's a charm to the advice, which is neither outdated nor quite of our time. (And don't miss Maya Angelou's own list at the end of the book.)
September 17, 2020
I finished this 2 days before turning 30.
Don't particularly enjoy short stories and the stories felt like collating a few stories on online sites or blogs. This book doesn't teach you any meaningful or powerful lessons but it did make me feel like I was not alone. Some may find this book a little bimbotic but it's a good start for those who are uncertain about what to expect turning 30.
Some of the advice did not resonate with me but overall is a good guide or summary of how 30's' should like or should have. But since it's a 'touch & go' kind of idea, you should read more into it (on other books) if you would like to know more to work on yourself and come up with your own list.
This book tells us into 2 sections (By 30, you should have, and By 30, you should know). Some of the things I particularly like or they serve as good reminders or I would like to work on it:
1. By 30, you should have
a. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
b. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you're not ashamed to be seen carrying.
c. A youth you're content to move beyond.
d. The realisation that you are going to have an old age - and some money set aside to help fund it.
e. A resume that is not even the slightest bit padded.
f. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
g. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.
h. something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
i. The belief that you deserve it.
j. 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.
k. A solid start on satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better.
2. By 30, you should
a. how to fall in love without losing yourself
b. how to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
c. when to try harder and when to walk away.
d. how to live alone, even if you don't like to.
e. that your childhood may not have been perfect, but it's over
f. that nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long.
g.who you can trust, who you can't and why you shouldn't take it personally
h. not to apologise for something that isn't your fault
Don't particularly enjoy short stories and the stories felt like collating a few stories on online sites or blogs. This book doesn't teach you any meaningful or powerful lessons but it did make me feel like I was not alone. Some may find this book a little bimbotic but it's a good start for those who are uncertain about what to expect turning 30.
Some of the advice did not resonate with me but overall is a good guide or summary of how 30's' should like or should have. But since it's a 'touch & go' kind of idea, you should read more into it (on other books) if you would like to know more to work on yourself and come up with your own list.
This book tells us into 2 sections (By 30, you should have, and By 30, you should know). Some of the things I particularly like or they serve as good reminders or I would like to work on it:
1. By 30, you should have
a. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
b. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you're not ashamed to be seen carrying.
c. A youth you're content to move beyond.
d. The realisation that you are going to have an old age - and some money set aside to help fund it.
e. A resume that is not even the slightest bit padded.
f. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
g. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.
h. something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
i. The belief that you deserve it.
j. 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.
k. A solid start on satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better.
2. By 30, you should
a. how to fall in love without losing yourself
b. how to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
c. when to try harder and when to walk away.
d. how to live alone, even if you don't like to.
e. that your childhood may not have been perfect, but it's over
f. that nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long.
g.who you can trust, who you can't and why you shouldn't take it personally
h. not to apologise for something that isn't your fault
January 15, 2021
My first book of 2021. I love lists and since 2020 was so lousy, I actually made a 2021 bucket list. A compilation of things big and small that I would love to do during the year. I am in my thirties and felt that it would be nice to read a book targeted specifically at women of this age. However, the original list was made long ago and most of the stuff in there no longer holds good for today's generation. For example, I wouldn't know why I would want a "fancy umbrella". And most of us already have a "private email and bank account". But maybe there's someone out there who needs to "believe that they deserve it". What I mean to say is most of the advice given in the book is something we already know and it's not necessarily for women who hit thirty. However, I enjoyed the short write-ups that accompanied each list item. I would encourage you to give this book a chance and come up with your own list :)
January 7, 2022
Bukunya ringan, seperti membaca chicken soup. Isinya tentang refleksi para wanita-wanita ketika ia memasuki (atau menjalani) usia 30-an. Saya baca buku ini dalam rangka sebentar lagi usia 30 dan agak deg-degan rasanya hehehe.
Tentu saja, karena ditulis oleh wanita-wanita yang lahir dan besar di budaya barat, ada beberapa hal yang kurang relate sama diri ini yang sangat kental nuansa ketimuran. Ada juga beberapa perintilan yang menurut saya sih ga perlu-perlu amat diikutin. Kalau kata orang jaman sekarang mah, balik lagi you do you.
Secara umum, ada insight menarik yang diperoleh. Kumpulan kisah-kisah ini mengingatkan kembali bahwa setiap orang punya pace yang berbeda dalam menjalani hidup ini, dan perlu sadar betul sama setiap keputusan. Usia 30 seseorang harus lebih mengenal secara mendalam tentang diri sendiri, bisa mengatur batasan, prioritas, dll. Kalau sudah kenal diri sendiri, jadi lebih content dalam menjalani hidup. Ga perlu buru-buru atau mesti sama seperti kebanyakan orang.
Tentu saja, karena ditulis oleh wanita-wanita yang lahir dan besar di budaya barat, ada beberapa hal yang kurang relate sama diri ini yang sangat kental nuansa ketimuran. Ada juga beberapa perintilan yang menurut saya sih ga perlu-perlu amat diikutin. Kalau kata orang jaman sekarang mah, balik lagi you do you.
Secara umum, ada insight menarik yang diperoleh. Kumpulan kisah-kisah ini mengingatkan kembali bahwa setiap orang punya pace yang berbeda dalam menjalani hidup ini, dan perlu sadar betul sama setiap keputusan. Usia 30 seseorang harus lebih mengenal secara mendalam tentang diri sendiri, bisa mengatur batasan, prioritas, dll. Kalau sudah kenal diri sendiri, jadi lebih content dalam menjalani hidup. Ga perlu buru-buru atau mesti sama seperti kebanyakan orang.
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