THE big 4-0. It will come before you know it. So in the meantime, you need to live your 30s to the fullest. The 30s are so fabulous because you’re settled in who you are, and in many cases, settled in a career. You’re not a newbie anymore, but you’re still vivacious enough to take risks, go out for a night of fun, and your sexy age makes you adored by young and old. The fact is your confidence is sexier than your wrinkle-free, 20-year-old face and you know it. Your friendships are established, and while you’re still interested in exploring yourself and the world, you know where you’re headed or where you want to go. So before you clock in at 4-0, if you’re a smart woman, do these 11 things. 1. Don’t be shy to ask for a raise. You’ve worked hard, so why not? After being in your field or at a certain position for a while, you’ve paid your dues. Ask for the raise and get the salary you want now so it pays off later when you ask for another raise or move to another job with better pay. 2. Charm a younger man. When we were 21, we didn’t want the guys our age. But as you get older, they start to seem sweeter and hotter, and in general, they are. Your confidence and experience humbles and excites them. If you’re single, have a fling with a younger man. Men have been doing it since the caveman days. Enjoy a night yourself. Even if he’s young and inexperienced, the awe and adoration on his face are enough for you to enjoy and drink it up. 3. Get yourself into the best shape possible. Many of you are going to have kids or have had kids, so take your 30s to build the healthy and strong body you want. If you do this now, you will be more fit and healthier for life. And if you’re thinking about having kids but haven’t yet, getting into shape now means you’ll be healthier for a pregnancy later. 4. Explore the world. Grab a friend or your partner (leave the kids with grandma) and go see a place outside of your country to experience something new. You have stable income and you’ve got street smarts. Enjoy a new culture. 5. Follow a skincare routine. By your 20s you should have been exfoliating and moisturizing, but many people start late in life. Get into a good routine now. You can’t prevent aging, but you can keep yourself from going down hard with good care. 6. Push for a mammogram. If you have a serious history of breast cancer, nudge every doctor that you can to get that slip for your first mammogram. Also get yearly physicals and annual blood work, and check your hormones and thyroid levels. 7. Freeze your eggs if you’re single and want kids. If you’re single and hitting past a certain point in your 30s, and you want kids, freeze your eggs if you can afford to. 8. Get out of toxic relationships. Is your fiancé taking forever to say “I do?” Is your boyfriend meandering along with no desire to further the commitment? Don’t waste your 30s and possible 40s with this fool. Dump him. Are you in a terrible marriage? Get out now. You’ll have plenty of time to meet a new partner and start over. If you have kids, leave even faster. Kids don’t need to live in a toxic home. 9. Quit all your bad habits. Smoking? Drinking? Compulsive eating? Whatever your bad habit is, now is the time to quit it. The more time that accrues with this dirty habit, the more of your life and health is wasted. Plus, if you’re married, this habit could be impacting your marriage; if you’re not, it could be the reason you’re not involved with someone. Sometimes our habits become our lovers, and that’s not always a good thing. 10. Cut out the haters. Are you not having kids? Are you never getting married? Are you ready to come out of the closet? No matter the case, tell the people who are “haters” where to go and cut them from your life. Own who you are and love it. 11. Quit your job if you hate it. If you hate your job now, you’d better find a way to transition into something else before you turn 40. The longer we stay in a field, the harder it is to get out. (SD-Agencies) | 