Two Lists: What Every Woman Should Have and What Every Woman Should Know

 We all get older. I recently took some time to reflect on my life. I created a list that every woman should have. This list applies if you are 22 or 55 or 67.

Some of the things on this list were borrowed from Glamour magazine. 

1. One old boyfriend 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. The knowledge of how to entertain unexpected guests and a house clean enough that you won't be embarrassed when someone does drop by unexpectedly, but not so clean you make your guests uncomfortable. 
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 interesting 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 set of good dishes. 
10. A pretty journal and the time to write in it
11. A set of screwdrivers, a hammer and a black lace bra. 
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it. 
13. 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. 

There are also some things that every woman should know: 

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself. 
   
   
   
2. How to comfort someone who is in mourning. 
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship. 
4. How to find joy in the little things: A circus, a thank you card, a pretty sunset.
5. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best dry cleaner in town. 
6. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to. 
7. Where to get a picture framed professionally, who to ask for advice, and what to wear to a cocktail party. 
8. That you can’t change the size of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents. 
9. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over. 
10. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.  
11. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long. 
12. Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally.  
13. Why they say life begins at 50 is the new 40. 
14. How to be comfortable when you are by yourself for an extended period of time.