Holly Riordan

If learning to love yourself sounds like too big of a leap from where you are right now, you can start by learning to give a shit about yourself.

Stop with the bullshit about how there isn’t anyone in this world meant for you.

Toxic humans are dangerous, not just because of the way they treat you, but because of the way they treat others. There’s a strong contrast between the way they act with you and the way they act with everyone else.

You deserve better than someone who is unable to see your value. Someone who was perfectly fine with stringing you along, even though they knew you were going to end up hurting, even though they knew they were doing the wrong thing, even though they knew it was selfish. 

In 2020, don’t date anyone who won’t prioritize you. Don’t date anyone who makes you fight for their attention. Don’t date anyone who makes you feel like you’re not good enough for them. Don’t date anyone who puts in a significantly smaller effort than you do.  

I’m slowly learning it’s okay if other people are unable to see how hard I’ve been working. I’m slowly learning my worth doesn’t changed based on what other people think of me. I’m slowly learning I don’t need someone else to congratulate me in order to know I’ve done a good job.

Instead of freaking out about your age and worrying that you’re running out of time to reach certain milestones, you should appreciate the fact that you’re here. You’re alive. You have the potential to keep trying, to keep chasing after your goals, to keep putting down the building blocks to create your ideal life.

Toxic people will make you feel crazy. Like you’re overreacting. Like you’re too emotional for your own good.

The happiest girls work their asses off — but they also recognize when it’s time to take a break, when it’s time to recharge, when it’s time to give themselves a well-needed vacation so they don’t burn out.

The way you look at yourself in the mirror shouldn’t change based on whether or not someone else called you pretty that day.

Don’t forget why you walked away from someone toxic. Don’t let yourself walk right back into their world. Don’t give them the chance to hurt you all over again. 

It’s better to be single than to get invested in someone toxic.

2020 isn’t the year of perfectionism. It’s the year of persistence. It’s the year where you keep going, even when you feel like giving up on yourself.

Putting effort into your relationship also means making sure your own mental health is okay. It means putting effort into taking care of yourself. It means putting yourself high on your list of priorities. 

It’s ridiculous to expect yourself to have your whole life together in your twenties. Your twenties are for discovering yourself. They’re for making mistakes. They’re for growing into a better, stronger version of yourself. You’re not supposed to be complete yet. You’re supposed to be a work in progress. 

You walk around like you’re confident. You call yourself a hot mess like it’s a badge of honor. But deep down, you’re worried you’re unlovable.

You don’t have to rearrange your morals, your standards, and your expectations in order to make room for someone in your world. 

When you care about someone, don’t worry about appearing clingy or needy or overemotional. Don’t hold back the way you’re feeling out of fear it won’t be reciprocated. Don’t stay inside of your comfort zone. Break out and take risks. Embrace the unknown. Be more spontaneous, more adventurous. Stop playing it so safe.