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15 Things That Will Help Any Girl Fall in Love With Life

A single woman should never settle. This applies to men, good wine, coffee, her salary, and anything else important to her.
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Single writer falling in love with life in NYC and around the world. Founder of: www.singlestrides.com

Single writer falling in love with life in NYC and around the world. Founder of: www.singlestrides.com
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Friends enjoying hillside

I am a single girl in my 20s, but I am constantly falling in love. I am falling in love with the sunset seen from my balcony, with a glass of Merlot, with the space I have in the bed when I stretch out in the morning, and with the ease of booking a plane ticket on a whim without asking anybody. I am falling in love, however slowly, with myself, too. It's been a messy fall, with bruises and scars, but it's also been beautiful in this breakdown.

I think there are a handful of things every woman in her 20s needs in her arsenal when falling in love with life -- and a man is not one of them. Here's my list:

1. A passport.
This is your invitation to see the world. Go see those places instead of just reading articles or liking your friend's picture of the Eiffel Tower on Instagram. Spend the money, take the vacation days, book the last-minute flight and make friends at the hostels. Do it while you're still young, wild and free.

2. A beloved lipstick.
The perfect lip color will make your smile stand out even more when someone falls in love with it. Until then, make it stand out when you smile at strangers and smile at yourself. The right shade can complement you more than you know (this is my personal favorite). So, add a little color to your happiness.

3. A go-to pair of shoes.
I've fallen in love at first sight plenty of times. It usually happens in the shoe section of Macy's, but it's happened in other places, too. A great pair of heels will make you feel like you own the place and allow you to walk with a confidence you otherwise wouldn't realize you had (all while perfecting your outfit).

5. A dream.
As they say, if your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough. So be afraid to dream big, but don't be afraid to chase that fear. Run after those dreams with full force and know that you can conquer them all on your own.

6. A pet.
I may be biased... but having a cat has really helped me as a single woman (all crazy cat lady jokes aside). The same goes for my friends with dogs and other animals. Having the responsibility of taking care of a life teaches you a lot, and it's always nice to feel loved unconditionally while having some animal company.

7. Savings.
You should always have a safety net of cash to use when, and if, you need it. You should never want or need to rely on someone else later on. Be financially responsible for your own life.

8. A home.
Screw man-caves. Make sure your apartment/house/whatever is the perfect retreat from your daily life. Decorate it. Put love into it. Make it a home that brings you relief the moment you walk through the door. What you need is a personal oasis.

9. A circle of friends.
These are the people who will get you through all stages of your life. When your heart breaks, when your car breaks down, and when you break records. You need them as much as they need you. Everyone needs some solid company for the roller coaster of life.

10. A perfected dish.
Cooking for one isn't always the best, but it at least allows for a lot of trial and error. Try every Pinterest recipe that speaks to you, until you perfect the one dish you can impress everyone with.

11. A career.
Make your LinkedIn profile "wow" anyone who lands on it. Build your resume. Create your elevator pitch. Work on becoming the rock star you're meant to be, and climb the ladder towards the success you're destined for.

12. An emergency kit.
Always have easy access to these things, so you're prepared for whatever life throws at you: aspirin, tampons, condoms, Band-Aids, a bottle of wine, chocolate.

13. A desire for more.
A single woman should never settle. This applies to men, good wine, coffee, her salary, and anything else important to her. Fight for what you deserve, and always strive for more. The world is yours if you go after it.

14. An honest laugh.
A real laugh sings so much more sweetly than a fake one.

15. A favorite book.
Sure, we base a lot of what we expect love to be on fiction, but it never hurts to dream. All these books are somehow based on real things. Have a favorite book (or 10) that keeps your imagination alive. Grow your mind, fill your heart, and use your time with literature that changes you (my personal favorite).

I may be single, but I've never been more in love.

For more, check out SingleStrides.com

Also on HuffPost:

12 Things Every Woman Should Know About Money
From Alexa von Tobel(01 of12)
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Diversify Your Investments“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” can be applied to investing. Spread your money to minimize your risks if a company doesn’t perform as well as expected. This way, you’re also exposed to different assets and will get more gains for your future. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Suze Orman(02 of12)
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Make Small Changes To See Big ResultsOne of the biggest money hurdles is getting in control of your money. Instead of making drastic changes -- and falling off the wagon -- track your spending and incorporate new habits slowly. Do you go to the movies once a week? Try going every two weeks. Grab a coffee at Starbucks each morning? Brew your own twice a week. The small savings will add up. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Maria Bartimoro(03 of12)
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Know How Much To Save And How Much To InvestIf you’re ready to get your feet wet into the stock market, start slow and keep building. You want to be able to put your money into an account and not have to withdraw it. Forget rock-bottom savings account rates for all your money -- put 20 percent into a savings account and the other 80 percent into the stock market. As you get closer to retirement age -- and less willing to take risks with your retirement money -- the percentages will become 50/50. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Alexa von Tobel(04 of12)
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Take Advantage Of Compounding InterestToo often, women forget about the power of compounding interest. The earlier you start saving, the less you’ll have to save in your 40s and 50s for retirement. It’s not magic, just math. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Alexa von Tobel(05 of12)
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Negotiate A Higher SalaryIt’s critical to negotiate your salary -- no one else is going to do it for you. Research what people in similar industries and job roles are making, and present it to your supervisor. If your company can’t provide you with more money, you can still negotiate: can they provide you with more vacation days or allow you to work from home once a week? These extra perks might offset a lower paycheck. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Suze Orman(06 of12)
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Forget About Cashing In Your 401kIf you think of the money sitting in your 401k as an emergency fund or savings account, think again. Withdrawing money early will result in paying taxes just like you would your normal paycheck. Additionally, you will pay both a 10-percent federal tax penalty and a state tax penalty. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Trae Bodge(07 of12)
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Save Money On Your Online ShoppingMake saving money when shopping online a breeze with Bodge’s favorite app, Invisible Hands. This handy program does the price-checking research for you, and will alert you when a different site has a better price -- or let you know that you’ve found the best deal. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Maria Bartiromo(08 of12)
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Avoid Financial Rip-OffsWhen choosing what to invest your money in, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Remember that you’re investing and saving for the long term, not to get rich overnight. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Alexa von Tobel(09 of12)
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Decide Whether To Rent Or BuyBuying a home is not only an investment, but a permanent tie to a location. More importantly, it can limit job opportunities by making you location dependent. If you’re uncertain about whether you’ll be in the same city in 5-8 years, it’s best to rent. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Trae Bodge(10 of12)
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Cut Back On What You Want, Not What You NeedIdentifying what you need versus what you want is an easy way to cut back on spending. You need food -- but ordering out instead of eating the leftovers in your fridge is a want. By being honest with yourself about what you actually need to spend money on, you can start to save. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Maria Bartimoro(11 of12)
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Don’t Pay Down Debt With More DebtIf you’re trying to pay down debt, avoid taking on more debt -- forget taking out a loan or getting a new credit card to pay another off. Instead, keep paying off debt as your priority, and with each paycheck, add a few extra dollars to your payments. There are no shortcuts, but making on-time payments above the minimum will help you pay your balances as soon as possible. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Trae Bodge(12 of12)
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Save At The Grocery StoreWhen you’re shopping for groceries, look at the unit price, not just the price per item. While that box of cereal might be $1 cheaper than the other brand, it might also contain less. Use this strategy for boxed items, meats and cheeses -- you’ll save more than by just looking at size differences or brand. Watch. (credit:Alamy)

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