Holly Riordan

Part of a strong, committed relationship is growing together. Figuring out your futures together. Helping each other become better versions of yourself through encouragement, motivation, and unconditional support.

It’s sad to say goodbye, even to someone toxic, so don’t let your hesitation trick you into believing you’re making the wrong decision.

It’s better to know how they feel than guess how they feel.

It allows you to stay cautious. It allows you to move at a pace that makes you feel comfortable. It allows you to see someone’s true colors before you hand them your whole heart.

You endured your weakest moments, your toughest tragedies, your most mountainous insecurities.

Stop saying to yourself, “He loves me. He’ll change for me.” And start saying to yourself, “He loves me, and yet he still hurt me. He’s the kind of person who can hurt the people he loves.”

You can scream at them, you can curse them out, or you can calmly present facts to them — but it’s not going to make a difference. They have a talent for shapeshifting reality. They create their own truth.

In 2020, stop isolating yourself in order to protect yourself. Stop assuming you’re better off on your own.

If you send the first text, you don’t have to mope around, waiting for them to text you. If you plan out the perfect date, you don’t have to worry about whether they picked something you’re both going to enjoy. In a way, doing all the work is easier. 

Block his number because every time you have a conversation with him, you’re left wanting more. And not in a good way.

That’s how anxiety makes you feel. Like you’re a bother. A waste of time. A nuisance. 

If you were still alive this Christmas, maybe there would still be magic in the air. Maybe there would be hope in our hearts. Maybe we would be more optimistic about what the new year has in store for us instead of assuming there’s no way this new year could be any good because you’re not going to be a part of it. 

We work hard, even when we’re not in the mood. We keep going, even when our energy levels are running low.

The rest of the world sees you differently than you see yourself. You’re not wearing the same set of lenses. 

You’re worried you’re going to turn out too difficult to love in the long run.

Don’t text your ex. 

Even when you feel like you’ve taken steps toward healing, when you feel like you have your baggage under control, when you feel like you’ve put your trauma behind you, there are still going to be moments when your past comes back to haunt you.

The problem is, you never realize an almost is an almost at the time. In the moment, you think you’re building a relationship. You think you’re going to become an official couple soon.