Strong Women Don't Settle For Men Who Hold Them Back

Who you choose to be with — at any point in your life — can have a huge impact on how successful you are. 

That's why in my personal experience, I didn't do a whole lot of growing in my teens. The boyfriends I had were sweet guys, but motivation-wise they were completely content watching Netflix all day and eating pizza. And so was I. 

Thankfully, one of the perks of being single is that you no longer have the comfortable crutch to fall back on. The person who tells you they love you exactly as you are, and you don't need to change a thing. 

As sweet as that sentiment is, it's not super helpful if you want to achieve your goals. 

The best kinds of partners are the ones who are on the same page about the kind of lives they want to live. Now if success to you and your boo means keeping everything the way it is — because the way it is is already pretty great — than props to you.

You shouldn't be in a relationship with someone who constantly pushes you if you don't feel the need to be pushed. 

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But, if you're like me and have more ideas for your life than you to-do list can handle, than you want to find someone who's on that same level. 

Being in love should make you better, in whatever way that means to you. It could be having a support system for your crazy career or finding another gypsy soul who encourages you to quit your job and travel the world. Everyone is different. 

But what love shouldn't do, is make you feel bad about wanting the things you want.

It shouldn't make you feel guilty for working long hours or accuse you of being unrealistic for dreaming of backpacking adventures.

Love should compliment who you are, not try to change it. 

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If the person your with is consistently making you question everything about yourself and your goals, then maybe it's time to reevaluate the relationship.

You want to be with someone who holds your hand while you jump off cliffs together — not someone who stops you from getting too close to the edge. 

Wait for the kind of love that's a partnership, with two people working towards a similar goal.

Because being better together is what it's all about.