Holly Riordan

There’s no way to guarantee that you’ll find love. But you’ll have a much better chance if you’re doing these six things: You’re being honest with yourself (and the people around you) about your emotions.

Stay single until you find someone who appreciates all the sweet gestures you do throughout the relationship.

Almost relationships leave you in limbo. You never know what to expect from this other person. Are they going to text you cute messages today and make you feel like a relationship is on the horizon?

You can love someone you never dated because you don’t have to date in order to develop a deep connection with someone. You don’t have to date in order to kiss and share other intimate moments.

Sometimes, cutting contact is the only way you’re going to get over an ex or a crush. Sometimes, you have to remove them from your phone if you want to work toward healing your heart.

Sometimes, listening to sad love songs will keep you in a bad mood for longer than necessary. Sometimes, reading through old messages will tempt you to text them again even though you should stay away.

If you want to give up on something because it’s bringing you too much stress or your dreams have changed, then don’t feel guilty about saying goodbye. Your dreams are allowed to change.

Toxic loves are so hard to leave because you know this person isn’t all bad. Even though this person treats you terribly half of the time, they’re an angel on earth the other half of the time.

They’re comfortable spending time alone. They won’t need you to shower them in attention every hour of the day. In fact, they will value your time apart.

When you love someone, you allow them to feel whatever emotions they’re feeling without accusing them of being overdramatic or emotional.

You keep making changes you think other people want you to make.

You never know how close you are to success. You might feel like you haven’t been making any progress, but that’s not true. Every single day, you’re taking baby steps toward your dreams.

The thought of dating again is scary because you know what heartbreak feels like now. You know how happy relationships can make you – but you also know how miserable breakups can make you.

It’s not rude to set boundaries or walk away from someone who has been hurting you – but others might make you feel bad for putting your foot down.

You aren’t as cowardly as you feel.

Your relationship baggage is not your fault. If someone treated you horribly in the past, it makes sense for you to be skeptical in your future relationships. However, you don’t want a bad breakup to ruin your future relationships.

Date someone who is capable of compromising with you, who will sit down and have a mature conversation when you need to overcome a certain problem.

The problem with listening to your heart over your head is that it can trap you in sticky situations.