Don't Text Your Ex Happy Birthday: And Other Advice on Love, Sex, and Dating

by Nick Viall

Figure out how much hope you have for the relationship compared to how much gratitude you have for what you’re receiving from the relationship.

gratitude is the only feeling that can’t turn toxic. Because gratitude is feeling thankful for what someone or something has given you when they expected nothing in return—like making you feel loved, or listened to.

Love’s ugly cousin is hate, enjoyment’s ugly cousin is boredom, and hope’s ugly cousin is disappointment. Happiness—its toxic cousin is sadness. The toxic cousin of joy: sorrow.

It’s knowing they have learned about some of your weaknesses and you still feel connected and safe with them.

Am I doing this because it’s going to make my heart happy, and make me feel loved and cared for—or am I doing this for my ego?

we tend to overvalue its importance when it comes to determining whether that person is worthy of our time and attention.

because a boundary is only as good as its enforcement.