What Every Woman Should Have / Know

I received a version of this list in my email today. Sent by friends, I know it was meant as encouragement and inspiration. Even though it’s been posted many times over, I feel that this is good information for women of any age, so I’m posting it too. A little research has revealed that the true writer of these words was Pamela Redmond Satran. Written in 1997, it was originally published in Glamour Magazine. The author, having passed her 30th birthday, wanted to share with other women some of the things she wished she had and had known by the time she reached that age. Since it’s original publishing, she’s added a few items to her list and she encourages us to do the same.

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 to 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 résume 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.

Because we are a renovation, remodeling, and home improvement site for women, these are some of the additions we’d like to make to the list of What Every Woman Should Have:

Claw Hammer

Studfinder

Pry Bar

Compound Miter Saw

Table Saw

And What Every Woman Should Know:

How to Drywall

How to Repair Plumbing

How to Change A Light Fixture

How to Lay Ceramic Tile

How to Refinish Hardwood Floors

How to Decorate on a Budget

Our list could go on and on, but we think you get the idea!

Women, don’t wait for someone else to get around to it, take charge of your lives and your surroundings. If you don’t like what you see, change it. Make it better. Make it suit who you are and what you want - one floorboard or one nail at a time!