5 Things Every Woman Needs to Know About Love by Age 30

So I got another email from Oprah last night, gah gurl sure has time on her hands! (Omg I'm totally kidding, O if you ever read this, I love you and give you one of my kidneys if you ever needed it!) As I read through this email I began to think if I actually actively follow these rules when it comes to love. Short answer, no. Long answer, I'm getting there. I've been reading this book What To Do Until Love Finds You by Michelle Hammond and I've been learning a lot, but more on that later. Here's the list of things every woman should know about love by age 30 by Oprah and her posse, enjoy!

#1. Love is location- Long distance relationships only hold for a certain amount of time, sooner or later, one of you is going to have to move if the two of you want things to work. love requires bravery—and the kind of closeness that's not just in your minds.

#2. No Expectations Are Not Low Expectations-  The less you picture how things should go or might go, the better they do go. Show up and enjoy the experience rather than kill it before it begins with a huge, soul-gobbling, predetermined fantasy life that no real experience can ever rival.

#3. Dumb Girls Don't Do Love Better-  There is a certain female stereotype often seen on television and in movies. The most dismal (though outdated) example is Ally McBeal, the most recent is Hannah in Girls. Ally and Hannah are beautiful and brilliant and destined for greatness, but they analyze everyone's behavior and "overthink" things. According to this logic, one can assume that women who "underthink" will have much more success when it comes to love. They'll just go with it and end up blissfully happy...because...they're dumb. Thinking about both his and your behavior, trying to understand why he does things (for example, inviting you to bowling night) and why you do things (for example, buying him B12 vitamins) is part of loving. It means you're looking at all the factors to the best of your ability and deciding to participate in the relationships with your heart, body and mind.

#4. If He Says He Doesn't Want Kids, Believe Him- He doesn’t want them with a house. He doesn’t want them with a mouse. He doesn’t want them if you’re thinner or richer or have plumper lips. He doesn't want them if he’s older, had time to think, or had the kitchen redone with stainless-steel sinks. Believe him.

#5. Everyone Shows Love In Different Ways, Accept It- In a perfect world, men would rush after us with easy-to-read signs like bouquets of red rose or huge banners painted with, duh, I LOVE YOU. We do not live in that world. The person who adores you may stuff carrots in your lunch to protect you from cancer or refuse to let you watch 90210 because it hurts your brain.

*This post was mostly compiled by Leigh Newman for Oprah.com, read the full article here.