Excerpt: Chapter 10

What's Next

By turning thirty many of us realized that the twenties were all
about learning and making mistakes but our thirties will be about living
life on our own terms. Finding and living by our own rules were
frequent suggestions provided by the participants. Heather advised,
“Search within yourself to find out what’s important to you, what
you value the most and then spend your time and energy on that and
really…make time.” Jessica Y. agreed women should “stop living for
other people, make sure you’re living for your self…Give thanks for
what you do have instead of focusing on what you don’t have.” Our
thirties will be the time to continue to discover who we are and how to
make our dreams come true.

The key for anyone feeling restless or unfulfilled at thirty is be
honest with yourself to determine what it is you want then make the
changes. Nancy suggested, “If [you] have something that they’ve
always wanted to do try to get it done so that way you feel a little
bit more accomplished when you turn thirty.” In order to avoid
being stagnant we must be willing to change. Don’t be afraid of
the unknown. The only way to improve is to change. Bonnie Fuller
argued, “If you’re only thirty, for instance, and feel you’re never
going to change your hairstyle or your lipstick color or your ideas,
you’re not going to look like Christie Brinkley does at fifty. You’ll
look like Christie Brinkley’s mother. You have to have the courage
to change and evolve, no matter what your age.” She spent her career
taking chances and helping magazine change with their audience and
the culture as a whole. What Bonnie Fuller did for YM and Star magazines
– making them stand out as quick successes – you can do for
your own life if only you are willing to embrace change and go after
what you want. Jennifer explained that you have to listen to your
inner voice because it will point you to the correct path. She said, “It
was only when I started tuning in to that inner voice that I became
very happy and content with my life.”