Holly Riordan

Sometimes, you’re going to have to wait years for your effort to pay off — and that whole time, you’re going to have to keep faith in yourself. You’re going to have to hold onto the hope that you can do this, that you’re going to reach your destination eventually. 

Putting effort into the relationship means you’re present during the hours when you’re with your person. It means you’re actively listening when they speak instead of staring down at your phone, texting other people or scrolling through social media.

If you cheat on me, it’s over. No second chances. No screaming matches. No forgiveness.

Never believe it was your own fault because you’re weak or because you’re stupid or because you aren’t pretty enough or successful enough or exciting enough to find someone who treats you right.

When every single day feels the same, it’s hard to break out of your routine. It’s hard to find reasons to pull yourself out of bed in the morning.

Bettering yourself doesn’t mean you’re broken. It doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you that needs fixing. Bettering yourself simply means you’re going to put in the work to take care of yourself.

If you’re right for each other, there’s a better chance your relationship will fall apart if you don’t admit how you’re feeling, if you hide your opinions, if you pretend everything is fine in order to avoid confrontation.

Apologizing isn’t going to change what happened between us. It isn’t going to erase the past. It isn’t going to heal my heartbreak. It isn’t going to magically make everything okay again.

How much you accomplish each day doesn’t correlate to your value.

There’s multiple versions of the person you love. There’s the person who makes you laugh, who comforts you, who respects you, who makes you feel beautiful inside and out. And then there’s another person who hurts you, who criticizes you, you shames you, who makes you feel small and insecure. 

You’re strong because you have been through a lot but you’re still standing, still breathing, still fighting, still here. 

You’re ready for a commitment to come your way — but you’re not going to force yourself to stay with someone who doesn’t suit you perfectly.

Your fear isn’t a sign you’re about to make the wrong move.

When you fall in love with someone you never dated, you feel like you aren’t allowed to mourn as long or as loudly as you would’ve mourned an official relationship.

You’re not the only one who has had their heart broken, who has felt broken beyond repair, who has questioned whether they’re ever going to settle down with someone they love.

Stop acting like she’s suffocating you when all she’s done is try to be there for you, to support you, to be a good friend.

It’s time to start taking the energy you usually pour into other people and directing it inwards. It’s time to stop placing your own name so low on your list of priorities.

It’s normal for you to be confused, to have a million questions, to wonder what the hell happened.