In this weekly feature, Her.ie goes behind enemy lines to see what it’s really like to be single in Ireland.
From speed dating to making speedy escapes, our no-holds-barred blog will follow our attempts to venture into the dating jungle, play the field and share any wisdom that we finds along the way.
Week Twenty-Six: Wise Words
This week, a letter from Elizabeth Taylor to Richard Burton days before they decided to end their ten-year relationship went on sale and saw the legendary actress pour her heart out to her philandering lover.
It got us to thinking about some of the great love stories of our time… and some of great advice that has come out of it.
So, we’ve compiled our top tips on how to deal with the highs and lows of relationships… while looking as badass as a Hollywood legend.
1) Things will go wrong but there’s nothing that a cocktail with the girls won’t solve
It might be tempting to bury yourself in a pile in the corner every time a man breaks your heart, doesn’t return your call or perves behind your back on Tinder but once you hop up, get into that dress that always makes you feel great and face it head-on, things will start getting better.
2) Never, EVER settle
Leaving a relationship can be very scary but that’s no excuse to stay with someone that you’re not happy with. Similarly, if you’re miserably being single, start putting yourself out there and dating. The only person putting you in your current position is you.
3) It is a mortal sin to dull yourself down for a man
Some men are threatening by strong women. They are idiots. If you’re with the right person, they will love you for the truly crazily individual person you are so if you want to wear that ‘man repellent’ dress/text him at 5am/sing your version of Call Me Maybe, then go right ahead.
4) Trust your instincts
It might be tempting to go for the safe guy who ticks all the boxes but at the end of the day, there is nothing like those butterflies in the tummie, the rush when you see his name pop up on your phone or glancing over while on a date and bring secretly delighted with yourself for pulling such a fine specimen.
5) Love is blind
We love a fox as much as the next girl but you WILL get bored of staring eventually so it helps if you have something to talk about to. A guy who can keep you interested with his mind as well as his pecs is a keeper.
6) Never undersell yourself
Always know your worth in a relationship and don’t ever hand over all the control to another person. Word.
7) Don’t give up on ‘The One’
Sometimes relationships are hard, sometime things are complicated… but if it’s supposed to work out. It probably will.
