Swim Naked, Defy Gravity and 99 Other Essential Things to Accomplish Before Turning 30

by Colleen Rush

WARNING: DO NOT PASS 29...without completing a few things first.

Swim Naked, Defy Gravity is coming to the rescue. You don't want to exit your twenties unsatisfied, unschooled and unready, do you? There are adventures to be had, mistakes to be made, and neuroses to jettison--before the big 3-0 hits.

Some vital goals:
BUY A KICK-ASS MATTRESS. Splurging on the perfect mattress is like finding the perfect man. They're both just soft and firm and big enough, they comfort you through sickness and sadness, and you look forward to snuggling up with them at the end of a long day.

KNOW YOUR BLOOD TYPE. 1) so you can donate blood when your time is in short supply; 2) if you're attacked by vampires and need an emergency transfusion; 3) it's the perfect conversation-starter at a dull dinner party.

EMBRACE YOUR GRANNY PANTIES. Anyone can flash thong, but only a woman at ease in her own skin can proudly wear unsexy skivvies.

GROW SOMETHING. Watching a tiny brown speck turn into a blooming, breathing thing is a small-scale lesson in selflessness and sacrifice. Besides if it dies, there will always be more seeds to practice on.

LEARN TO ACCEPT COMPLIMENTS. Compliments ricochet off of us when we use a comeback like "Oh, these old things?" This "Awww, shucks" mentality is lame. You rock, and you know it, so why not admit it?

With goals that range from sensible (Eat soy) to silly (Sleep in a hammock), from sensuous (Get a massage) to sassy (Declare your birthday a national holiday), this is the indispensable guide to being wild, wise, and ready for the leap into full-fledged, fabulous adulthood. Don't turn thirty without it.

Genres: Nonfiction

201 pages, Paperback

First published September 7, 2004

Reviews

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh! I was expecting a lot more on the list to do. This book is basically a list of things to do before you turn 30. Nothing great and marvelous. The list had things like, "Write a thank you without your mom telling you to," "buy a good bra," "take a trip by yourself." Just random stuff that most people will have probably done without needing a list. I love list type books, but was a little disappointed by this list. I guess I wanted more adventurous stuff? Oh well, made it to thirty and pretty much accomplished everything in this book.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun advice & a quick poolside read that is peppered with surprising wisdom - i bookmarked 3 of the ideas such as: develop a plan B, own cashmere sweater, make the first move... i would be interested in making my own list or asking women i admire (older than i) what theirs would be.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've done more than half of the things listed in the book. Some things were funny and some were informatinal. I really liked it. Light and airy read.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun! I am trying to do all 101 things before i turn the big 3-0... 85 things left on the list! Wish me luck!!

[Nicole Javvaji · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book because it gets you to reflect on what you have done and provides some cute ideas for getting the most out of life. Even if you are past thirty, you should read this. Its cute!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really a book. More like a list with small explainations as to why you should do it. I like it.