Choosing Peace Over Desperation: Enjoying Self-Love and Healthy Boundaries

2291 followers

Follow

Follow

Follow

0 saved

Dating is optional for me. I’m not looking for love from a place of loneliness or desperation. My bills are paid, my home is peaceful, and I’ve learned how to genuinely enjoy my own company. Anyone who wants to be in my life isn’t competing with someone else they’re competing with the peace I’ve worked so hard to create. If you can’t add to that peace, I’ll choose myself every single time.

#foryoupage #atpeace #healed #selfawarenessjourney #blowthisup

7/30 Edited to

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to feel pressured into seeking relationships for the wrong reasons, such as loneliness or societal expectations. This mindset can lead to unhealthy dynamics and compromise your inner peace. Through my personal experience, I’ve found that dating should never come from a place of desperation, but rather a place of fulfillment within oneself. One of the most empowering steps I took was learning to enjoy my own company genuinely. This means engaging in activities that bring me joy independently and reflecting on what truly makes me happy without needing validation from others. When your foundation is strong and your life is balanced—bills paid, a peaceful home environment—it creates a resilient space where love can enter authentically. Setting clear boundaries became essential; anyone who enters my life is not just another person to compete with but must add to the calm I've cultivated. This approach has helped me avoid relationships that drain my energy or disrupt my emotional balance. It also allows me to confidently choose myself and my peace first, knowing I’m worthy of respect and harmony. If you’ve ever found yourself compromising your well-being for a relationship, I encourage you to pause and evaluate what you truly need. Healing enough to stop entertaining what disturbs your peace is a powerful milestone. It’s a journey of self-awareness and growth that leads to healthier connections and a happier life. Remember, choosing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s an act of self-love and preservation.

Related posts

BECOME UNRECOGNIZABLE IN 6 MONTHS! ✨ HERES HOW:

Alright, babe, let’s cut the crap—you want to glow up, level up, and leave people speechless six months from now. Whether it's that ex who didn’t appreciate you, or just because you’re tired of the old version of yourself, here’s the plan to make them all do a double take. 💅 Let’s get real—thi

6211 likes

Better Than Store-Bought Biscoff Cookies!

✨ These cookies are crispy and dangerously delicious! They are so good, you’ll want to hide the last one (but we won’t judge if you don’t)! 🍪 📌 SAVE this for later! ✨ What You Need: ✔️ 1 cup unsalted butter (room temp) ✔️ 1 1/2 cup light brown sugar ✔️ 1/2 cup granulated sugar ✔️ 14 oz con

1943 likes

✅Dating is 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥. Peace is 𝐧𝐨𝐭.❌ Anyone you allow into that space should add to your peace, add to your growth, add to your FAITH add to your elevation 𝐚𝐧𝐝 vice versa. If it doesn’t serve you, it hinders you.

23 likes

This is AMAZING!!

Ingredients: For the Chicken: 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces 1 tbsp GrillMates Montreal Chicken seasoning 1 tsp paprika 1-2 tbsp bacon grease (or olive oil) for cooking For the Garlic Bread: 1 loaf French bread, halved 1/2 stick butter, melted 1 tbsp minced garlic

29K likes

A split image showing a stovetop before and after cleaning burn marks. The left side shows a dirty stovetop with visible burn marks, labeled 'before'. The right side shows a clean, shiny stovetop, labeled 'after'.

A gallon of white vinegar and a box of baking soda are displayed on a countertop. Text overlays indicate these are the items needed for cleaning, specifically 'baking soda' and 'white vinegar'.

A hand holds a box of baking soda over a stovetop, which has baking soda sprinkled across its surface. The image illustrates the first step of spreading baking soda on the stovetop.

how i clean BURN MARKS on my stove✨

burn marks can be so stubborn to clean when it comes to your stovetop 🙄 i’m typically pretty good at the stove but the other day, my fiancé and i were cooking together while we had friends over and we managed to let THREE pots boil over on different burners lol soooo… it was about time to get a

13.8K likes

Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls 🍫🎂

Thank to Tia Mowry‼️ Ingredients: Dough: 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 package (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast 1/2 tsp salt 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C) 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 1 large egg 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tsp vanilla extract Red food

7637 likes

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Nothing compares to homemade chocolate chip cookies, soft and chewy center with beautiful golden brown edges and is packed with chocolate chips. To top it all off, A sprinkle of flaky salt on each cookie right after baking. It adds the perfect touch of flavor that balances the sweetness beautifully

6449 likes

Dinner Idea * Clean Eating Edition*

Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe Servings: 2-3 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: • 2 chicken breasts, diced • 1 cup brown rice, cooked • 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or your choice) • 1/2 cup corn mix (cooked) &#

3376 likes

This salad keeps you full for hours!

And it’s jam packed with fiber, plant-based protein, vitamins, minerals, & healthy fats. I can’t get enough of it 🥹 Heres what you’ll need 1 large cucumber or 2-3 Persian cucumbers 1 red onion 1 red pepper 20 oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained 8 oz marinated artichoke, cut into pie

13K likes

My chia pudding meal ✨

Ingredients: - 2 tbs chia seeds - 1/2 cup milk of your choice - teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional) - honey - 2 tbs yogurt - add fruit and granola of your choice #chiaseedpudding #chiaseedpuddingrecipe #mealprep #breakfastmealprep #fyp #breakfastmeals #lowcalorierec

13.3K likes

A pregnant woman stands on a wooden deck, holding her belly. Text overlays read 'Things I did to get pregnant w/ PCOS' with an arrow pointing to her stomach. The background shows green trees under a sunny sky.

A hand holds a bottle of a dietary supplement, with a few white capsules shown in another hand. The bottle has a pink and white label, indicating it contains a blend of inositol for women's health.

A hand holds multiple individually wrapped ovulation test strips. In the background, a mobile app screen displays a chart with fertility tracking data, including ovulation test results and basal body temperature.

This is what helped ME get pregnant with PCOS

✨First off, everyone is different and what worked for me may not work for you!✨ with that being said I did a loooooottttt of research while preparing my body for the TTC journey (I have a separate post on what I did in the months prior to prepare my body and mind on my page). Everything that I t

1131 likes

A shower with water running, featuring a tiled wall niche holding several small bottles of personal care products. The image includes text indicating a 'proper everything shower' routine.

A beige washcloth and three colorful silicone scrubbers (orange, pink, and teal) are displayed on a pink background, illustrating tools for skin exfoliation.

Two packages of bar soap, one labeled 'original beauty bar' and the other 'sensitive skin', are shown on a pink background, recommended for the first cleanse.

everything shower routine

🚿 body care routine skin type: all step 1: exfoliate w bar soap step 2: exfoliate again w body wash step 3: use body scrub before shave step 4: shave step 5: use body oil for moisture step 6: use body lotion after shower step 7: *optional* spray perfume 🌟body care tips !: do not rush u

11.2K likes

30-Day Anxiety Dating Challenge✨

Don’t forget to swipe ➡️ Week 1: Self-Awareness & Preparation Day 1: Write down what makes you anxious about dating Day 2: List your strengths and qualities that make you a great partner Day 3: Practice mindfulness for 10 minutes Day 4: Identify your deal-breakers in relationships D

118 likes

A plate of golden-brown chicken pot pie muffins, garnished with parsley, against a fall-themed background with pumpkins and candy corn. The image features the text "FALL CHICKEN POT PIE MUFFINS" with pumpkin icons.

Various ingredients for chicken pot pie muffins are laid out on a table, including chicken, mixed vegetables, biscuits, cream of chicken soup, and several spices like paprika, cayenne, basil, garlic, and poultry seasoning.

Chopped onions and celery are being sautéed in melted butter in a pot on a stove, with a wooden spoon stirring the mixture. The caption reads "Sauté Onions & Celery in butter."

🍂Fall Chicken Pot Pie Muffins🍂

These Fall Chicken Pot Pie Muffins are the perfect cozy bite for chilly autumn days! Filled with tender chicken, creamy veggies, and wrapped in buttery biscuit dough, each bite is full of comforting fall flavors. Enjoy these handheld pies as the ultimate fall comfort food!! Ingredients: 🍂 1/4

6365 likes

The image displays the title '20 Dating Red Flags' in white text over silhouettes of two people, one holding a red flag. A red arrow indicates to 'Swipe & Read Below for More,' with 'lemon8 @lifewithiri' at the bottom.

This image presents a numbered list of 20 dating red flags, including points like 'They don't make time for you' and 'Your mental health is worse in this relationship,' against a blurred background of a person in a car, with red flag icons.

The image shows two hands holding a small flower, with text asking 'Was this helpful?' and encouraging 'Like & save for more like this!' It features social media engagement icons, yellow stars, and 'lemon8 @lifewithiri' branding.

20 Dating Red Flags to Be Aware Of 😳🚩

Stop expecting breadcrumbs when you deserve a FEAST 🍱🥘 Sometimes we want love so badly, we overlook Al the consistent red flag behavior. 🚩 But you’re not doomed to repeat these patterns! 👇🏽 1. They don't make time for you. 2. They don't want to meet your family. 3. They don't re

3253 likes

#optional #options #look

1 like

A white bowl holds a serving of golden-brown peach cobbler topped with two scoops of vanilla ice cream. The image is titled "Lazy Woman Cobbler" and indicates it's a grandma recipe, with a "SWIPE" arrow.

A stick of butter rests in a clear 9x9 glass baking pan on a dark countertop. The text overlay describes Step 1: preheating the oven to 325 degrees and melting the butter in the pan.

Sliced peaches in heavy syrup are shown in a clear glass baking pan with melted butter. The text overlay describes Step 2: adding a 29-ounce can of peaches to the preheated pan and heating for 15 minutes.

The Easiest Peach Cobbler Recipe🍑

A classic, family favorite.😋 My grandma gave me this recipe and said it a was “Lazy Women Cobbler”. And who doesn’t love an easy recipe? Honestly, peach cobbler doesn’t have to be difficult. This recipe is delicious and made with simple ingredients. Give it a try.🫶🏻 YOU NEED: 1 stick of butter 2

4920 likes

DINNER IS SERVED

GRILLED HONEY SALMON, GREEN BEANS, YAMS, WITH SOME BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE. honey grilled Salmon *Ingredients* - 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) - 1/2 cup honey - 1/4 cup soy sauce - 2 tbsp rice vinegar - 2 tbsp olive oil - 2 tsp grated ginger - 1 tsp garlic, minced - 1 tsp lemon juice

1114 likes

Dinner recipes- Cheddar Broccoli One Pot Meal

👩🏻 Cheddar Broccoli One Pot Meal 🥦 Occasion & Servings: Lazy Dinner Night 😉 Ingredient 1 & Portion: 2 packs of Knorr Cheddar Broccoli Noodles (will need milk and water, butter optional) Ingredient 2 & Portion: One package of Kielbasa Ingredient 3 & Portion: One package of Bro

11.6K likes

A close-up view of an Oreo Tres Leches Cake in a foil pan, topped with crushed Oreos, dollops of white cream, whole Oreo cookies, and a drizzle of condensed milk. The text overlay reads "Oreo Tres Leches Cake" with a cookie and blue heart emoji.

Oreo Tres Leches Cake🍪💙

Ingredients Preheat oven to 350 - 1 box oreo white cake mix - 1/2 cup whole milk - 3 tbsp vegetable oil - 2 whole eggs Mix then bake for 21 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Tres leches - 1 1/2 cup whole milk - 14 oz sweetened condensed milk - 16 oz evaporated milk Onc

2995 likes

Adulting Is Free but Emotional Regulation Costs Ex

If someone over the age of three is throwing temper tantrums in your presence, you need to ask yourself how often you want that in your life. Emotional regulation is not optional for grown adults. It is the bare minimum for access to your peace. “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man

4 likes

How to Make a Money Bag

#lemon8diarychallenge What you need: Rice (I love Jasmine bc it’s aromatic) Crystal (optional) I used Pyrite but you can also use Magnetic Hematite to attract more as well Orange Peel (dried) Rosemary (fresh is better from the grocery store or outside if you are near a rosemary bush) Ba

3441 likes

Baking is my new love language ❤️

Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg at room temperature 1 tbsp vanilla extract 1 1/3 cup of AP flour leveled 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/2 semi-sweet chocolate chips Method: 1. In a bowl, mix th

22.8K likes

“You Call It Standards… Until They Have Some”

Everybody talks about “standards” until somebody else has them too. At what point do standards become emotional control? And are people really asking for love… or asking for someone to submit to their comfort zone? This conversation is about boundaries, hypocrisy, emotional pressure, and the

3 likes

Easy No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake 🖤✨

Ingredients: 🖤 Oreo Cookie Crust: - 12 Oreo cookies, crushed - 2 tbsp (28 g) melted salted butter 🤍 No-Bake Cheesecake Filling: - 12 oz (340 g) softened cream cheese - 1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract - 1 cup (120 g) sifted powdered sugar - 1 tsp (5 ml) fresh lemon juice - ¾ cup (

28.2K likes

Easy & Delicious Cheeseburger Sliders!

Cheeseburger sliders are savory, shareable mini burgers made with seasoned ground beef and melty cheese between toasted Hawaiian rolls. Serve them as a delicious appetizer at holiday gatherings and Super Bowl parties. Ground beef Onion, diced Worcestershire sauce Seasoned salt (more or less t

84.7K likes

✨🖤Small Batch No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake 🖤✨

Ingredients: 🖤 Oreo Cookie Crust: - 12 Oreo cookies, crushed - 2 tbsp (28 g) melted salted butter 🤍 No-Bake Cheesecake Filling: - 12 oz (340 g) softened cream cheese - 1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract - 1 cup (120 g) sifted powdered sugar - 1 tsp (5 ml) fresh lemon juice - ¾ cup (

21.3K likes

How to make delicious Potato Wedges

🍟 Homemade Potato Wedges Recipe 🍟 Craving some crispy and delicious potato wedges? Here's my go-to recipe for the perfect snack or side dish! Ingredients: - 4 large potatoes - 2 tbsp olive oil - 1 tsp garlic powder - 1 tsp paprika - 1 tsp salt - 1/2 tsp black pepper - Fresh parsley

3460 likes

Meal Prep: Philly Cheesesteak & Rice Bowl

This recipe is a super easy and simple meal prep option that is great for beginners! Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef 1 medium green pepper, diced 1 small onion, sliced 2 cups sliced mushrooms (optional) 2 teaspoons Worcestershire 1/4 cup beef broth 1 cup shredded provalone 1 cup cooke

2591 likes

One Pot Meal 🍜✨

Beef Lo Mein for the win! Why order take out when you got food at home 🤤 Servings: 4 Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 15 minutes ✨ Ingredients ✨ 🖤 For the Beef: - 1 lb beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain - 2 tbsp soy sauce - 1 tbsp corn

2113 likes

A baking dish filled with cooked Million Dollar Chicken, featuring golden-brown melted cheese and seasonings, ready to be served. Text overlays read "Million Dollar Chicken" and "SWIPE".

Raw chicken breasts in a glass baking dish next to a bowl containing cream cheese, mayonnaise, green onions, bacon bits, and shredded Colby Jack cheese. The image lists the ingredients.

Raw chicken breasts in a glass baking dish generously covered with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, mayonnaise, bacon bits, green onions, and shredded cheese. Text says "Cover Chicken Generously".

Million Dollar Chicken, an Easy Meal Prep Recipe!

An easy meal prep anyone can do! It’s great for an assortment of things, or just as is. This is good to freeze up to 3 months, or even to cook right away and use for multiple meals through the week. I personally like to use it on busy days, cooking it the night before and these are a few of my favo

4386 likes

Viral Crispy Rice Salad🍚🥒

Welcome to Episode 4 of my salad series, where I show you that salads don’t need to be boring!🥗 Today, I’m bringing you my take on the Crispy Rice Salad🥒 If you haven’t had this one yet, prepare to be obsseded🤩 Ingredients: For the crispy rice: • 1/2 cup uncooked basmati rice (about 1

5435 likes

Homemade Pumpkin Bread🍂🎃

Enjoy the pumpkin season with this easy homemade pumpkin bread Moist, soft, spiced and irresistible € RECIPE Dry Ingredients: • 2 cups Flour • 1 cup Sugar • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar • 2 tsp Baking powder • 1/2 tsp Salt • 1 tsp Cinnamon • 1/2 tsp nutmeg Wet ingredients: • 2 Eggs • 1 cup Pump

3737 likes

The image displays the title "Common Red Flags in Polyamory" and "Where Polyamory Breaks Down" on a dark background, with a blurred image of a couple kissing in a dimly lit setting on the right.

The image presents an introductory text explaining that polyamory requires skills beyond abundant love, highlighting common red flags. A blurred background shows people in a dimly lit environment.

The image lists "1. Poor time and energy management" as a red flag, with text explaining that overpromising or failing to show up signals a lack of personal capacity in polyamory.

5 Common Red Flags in Polyamory👇

Polyamory can be rewarding, but it requires self-awareness, boundaries, and accountability. Without these, relationships can become unbalanced or hurtful. Here are 5 common red flags to recognize early, helping partners build ethical and healthy connections. #3fun #polyamory #enm #poly

117 likes

A glass mug of dark red Zobo drink, garnished with an orange slice and pineapple, with two straws. The image is titled 'The Magical African Antioxidant Drink'.

A glass of Zobo drink with an orange and pineapple garnish, highlighting its benefits: rich in antioxidants, aids in weight management, and supports hormonal balance and menstrual cycle regulation.

A glass of Zobo drink with an orange and pineapple garnish, highlighting its benefits: supports liver health, boosts the immune system, and provides hydration and detoxification.

The Magical African Antioxidant Drink

🌺 Sip into wellness with a refreshing glass of Zobo! Packed with antioxidants and bursting with flavor, this hibiscus drink is not only delicious but also beneficial for your overall health due to it being rich in anti-oxidants and enzymes that help with weight loss along with many other benefits.

2451 likes

Easy Watermelon Salad 🍉

How to make Watermelon Mint Salad A 10-minute, simple, vibrant summery watermelon mint salad with just 3 base ingredients and plenty of optional add-ins to make your perfect watermelon salad recipe this summer! Ingredients: ▢8 to 10 cups of watermelon cut into 1 ½-inch cubes ▢1 to 2 limes j

3481 likes

An iPad on a stand connected to an external monitor displaying a budget calendar and other apps, with a keyboard and mouse on the desk, illustrating how to use an iPad as a computer.

A close-up of an external monitor connected to an iPad, displaying a budget calendar and other apps, demonstrating the first step of connecting to a monitor and mouse.

Screenshots of iPad settings showing how to navigate to Display & Brightness, select the external monitor (VG2455), and toggle on 'Allow Display Mode Changes'.

Beginner Friendly IPad Hack 🫶

I’m using an IPad Pro 11th Gen so settings might be a little different compared to other models. But I tried this on my 10th Gen regular IPad and it works too but 10th Gen doesn’t have #StageManager This setup is so nice because I can still take notes on my iPad while reading, studying, a

3673 likes

A healthier summer treat✨

I whipped up these lightened up s’mores ice cream sandwiches and they’re so good! 🤩 They’re lower in sugar and higher in protein than a traditional ice cream sandwich, and they taste amaaaazing. Lower calorie and weight watchers friendly! Get the details below: Ingredients: * 6 Graham crackers,

5091 likes

A close-up shows golden-brown, homemade copycat Papa John's cheese sticks, generously topped with melted mozzarella cheese and green herbs. The warm, freshly baked cheese sticks are arranged on a white plate, ready to be served. Text overlay reads: 'I made copycat Papa John's cheese sticks at home!'

I made copycat Papa John’s cheese sticks at home!

Copycat Recipe – Papa John’s Cheese Sticks Ingredients: · Pizza dough (I used Great Value brand) · Parmesan Cheese (optional) · 8 oz bag of mozzarella cheese · Butter · Garlic Powder · Italian Seasoning · Sheet Pan · Aluminum foil (optional

5211 likes

Loaded baked potato soup

Ingredients: -2lb bag of diced or shredded frozen potato’s - block of cream cheese - packet of ranch - 2 cans of cream of chicken soup - 32 ounces of chicken broth - garlic powder - pepper - green onion - bacon or bacon bits - 8 oz bag of shredded cheddar cheese Directions: In a croc

4464 likes

Lemon Pound Cake 🍋

Wet * 3 sticks unsalted butter, softened to room temperature * 2 3/4 cups white granulated sugar * 6 large eggs, room temperature * 1 cup sour cream, room temperature * 2-3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice * Zest of two lemons * 2 1/2 tsp lemon extract Dry * 3 cups all purpose flour *

4604 likes

✨Dating is optional for me ✨

0 likes

See more