Balancing high school and relationships is hard. There's sports, homework, AP classes, clubs, college applications, and you want to make sure you have time to spend with your friends. So how do you do all of it and still have time for a relationship? The answer: it's hard. With rumors always circling and everyone in your school knowing everything about everyone else, handling a relationship isn't easy. Here are my views on relationships and how to make a sure a guy is treating you right as told and translated through quotes by Emily Dickinson.
Emily Dickinson once said, "Behavior is what a man does, not what he thinks, feels, or believes." If the guy you're with constantly says "you're beautiful" or "I love you," but his actions don't demonstrate these phrases then something is off. He's telling you what you want to hear. He could say the most romantic thing in the world, but if his actions don't hold true to his words, it's time to let him go.
Going off the idea of a boy not being exactly truthful to his words, another quote comes to mind: "Truth is so rare that it is delightful to tell it." This translates into to things. The first is that you have, to tell the truth in a relationship, always. How can you trust your partner if you constantly lie to them? On the other hand, don't trust too easily. The bad guys will lie and cheat and it'll result in your pain so trust, but trust with ease.
Let's say he does cheat or you break up. In either scenario, you will probably be heart broken, but you can't let one person be your only source for happiness. This is high school and you have a long life ahead of you so enjoy it while you can. "A wounded deer leaps the highest" and you need to rise above the breakup and do things you love to do. Treat yourself to the happy things in life and don't simply rely on him.
When you are the one doing the breakup, be gentle. "If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain." I believe this to be incredibly true. You should never want to hurt someone. Try to remember that at one time they did make you incredibly happy so be aware of their feelings.
Never say never to a relationship. Don't try to find excuses to not date someone you like. "I dwell in possibility." You will never know if you don't try.
"Beauty is not caused. It is." This is one of my favorite quotes and my translation of it is pretty simple. Every girl is beautiful when they are completely themselves; do not change for a guy.
"Heart, we will forget him,
You and I, tonight!
You must forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light."
At the end, know when to move on. There are other great guys and great opportunities out there. You are young and amazing so go experience life, but don't dwell on the past.
