Holly Riordan

Love is about spreading a blanket across your partner when they fall asleep on the couch watching movies. Turning the car on for them and scraping ice off the windows so they have an easy morning.

Relationships can be hard work – but they should also feel safe, comfortable, and fun. They should be a source of joy, not stress.

Maybe they have a busy life. Maybe there are other things on their mind. Maybe they are swamped with responsibilities that are bigger than you and them.

It’s scary to get into a new relationship with a new person because you’re giving them the potential to break your heart. You’re allowing them to hold a certain amount of power over you.

It’s never easy to get over a heartbreak, whether you were in a long-term relationship or had a huge crush that lasted years. However, it’s always possible to move on.

You’re not selfish for saying no when someone asks you to do something that makes you uncomfortable. You’re allowed to have standards. You’re allowed to assert boundaries.

Walking away from an almost is heartbreaking because your feelings for them were strong – even if they weren’t returned completely. Even if you never ended up getting the official label that you were waiting for.

Don’t waste your energy on someone who ghosted you. Don’t settle for someone who isn’t able to do the bare minimum for you.

Some people are meant to come into your world for short periods of time before parting ways with you. That doesn’t make the relationship any less meaningful — but it can make it incredibly painful.

Say goodbye to your almost because they might never become more. They might always keep you hovering on the edge of a relationship, begging for more, waiting for scraps.

Starting from scratch is scary. You don’t want to leave behind everything that you’ve built with this other person.

You don’t have to be afraid of your own emotions. Yes, it’s scary to develop feelings for someone who might not return them. It’s scary to open up your heart and give someone else the chance to break it.

When you love someone, you support their hopes and dreams. You push them to reach their full potential. You don’t hold them back out of fear of losing them.

Social anxiety means you have to push past your discomfort anytime you want to send a text, answer an email, or make a phone call.

Sometimes, it’s frustrating when your conversations all take place over the phone. If you like this person, you want to meet up with them face-to-face to see whether you’re compatible.

Sometimes, relationships naturally move at a fast pace.

If their love language is quality time, they’re going to value every single moment spent with you.

If their love language is words of affirmation, they’re going to make you feel loved and valued every single day.