Words: Giulia Simolo


So he's cool and it's awesome to be flying on Cloud 9 when you're in love. But woah - don't skimp on these 13 things!

1. Your independence
Just coz he helps you out with stuff, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't be able to take care of yourself! Independence is something that should be in your skin - never give it away for anyone, coz if your guy decides to hit the road tomorrow, you've gotta be able to stand on your own.

2. Your friends
Some chicks go AWOL when they get a guy. Suddenly they hardly even know you anymore! That's just whack! Don't centre your whole universe around your boyfriend - you've still got an awesome bunch of friends to hang out with, and you know what they say about how special friends are. Don't take ‘em for granted.

3. Your goals
So you and your guy wanna produce a movie together or take that cool trip to the Cape. That's cool and all, but don't forget about your own goals! Just coz you're with someone, you're still your own person with your own dreams. Go live them. And yes, he can come along for the ride.

4. Your style
Don't pull an Angelina and start looking like Brad (that's just creepy). Keep your creativity and bust out with who you are, irrespective of who your dude is. Enough with the couple cloning, please!

5. Your heart...
Yes, it's that little voice telling you stuff. Listen to it! It can give you insight into what you TRULY feel and you shouldn't ignore it. Unless of course you wanna live a less-than-stoked existence.

6....And your head
Who says you must either follow your heart or head? You should actually mesh both so that you're a balanced babe. Your heart is where your feelings reside, but your head is where reason comes in. A great relationship combines both.

7. Your stoked singleness
Although things are going great, what if tomorrow you don't wanna be with him anymore? Hold onto the stoked girl you are and don't lose sight of what you want. That way, if the relationship starts going south, you can take a stand and jump ship. You owe it to yourself to keep a clear head so you can make the right decision for you.

8. Your values
There are things you should never sacrifice in a relationship, and the most important are your values coz they're the foundations of who you are. They can include anything that's important to you, from your beliefs to morals and ethics. Stash ‘em!

9. Your individuality
Sometimes couples clone on the inside too. They start believing, thinking and feeling the same things. If you start becoming the girl you think your dude wants, he's not gonna be dating the real you and that can only result in a leading part in The Relationship's Over.

10. Your male mates
So we spoke about how you should never diss your friends just coz you're in a relationship (that's so Laguna Beach). But what about your male mates? Ooh, did that touch a nerve with your guy? Male friends rock coz they're fun to hang around, provide great insight into the male brain and sidestep all the cattiness that can be found around girls. Don't make your dude the only guy in your life - male friends are special!

11. Your studies
Now I know guys can mess with your head and make it hard to focus, but don't forget to get through your studies. Your education is important so tell him to hang with his mates once in a while so you can hit the books.

12. Your dignity
So he treated you like crap and you decide to teach him a lesson! I'm talking keying his car, torching his couch... or maybe telling that girl who's hitting on him where to get off! Love can blind you sometimes coz you get wrapped up in its tangled web, but keep your dignity coz you don't wanna look back someday and think, "Damn, I acted like such a chump!"

13.Your opinion of you
Yeah, he digs your hair and carefree spirit, but he doesn't really like your brutal honesty or how dreamy-eyed you get when you watch those Matthew McConaughey movies. You should feel stoked about what he likes about you - but don't forget what YOU like about you! The lists might not always match, but it doesn't mean you should scratch yours out. Celebrate you, not just you when you're with him.

 XXX