If you’ve found yourself yelling at your TV during Love Island, welcome to the club. But instead of dissecting every kiss, recoupling, or plot twist, we’re taking a different approach. At Strut, we’re less interested in the mess and more interested in the message. Because beneath the flirting, heartbreak, and dramatic speeches are real conversations about boundaries, confidence, communication, and knowing your worth.
So, here’s our advice to two of the girls in the villa—and every woman watching from home.
MELA.
Girl… We’ve all been there—swept up by charm, convinced potential would turn into consistency, hoping this version of him would be different. But if you’re going to choose the man, stand ten toes behind that choice. Don’t spend your days crying over the very plate you insisted on ordering. At some point, you have to ask yourself: are you grieving who he is, or the version of him you hoped he’d become?
Own your decision, or make a different one.
Because staying disappointed in a situation you continue to choose only keeps you stuck. You deserve the freedom to either embrace the relationship you’ve chosen or have the courage to walk away from what no longer serves you. Choose with wisdom. Stay with intention. And if your heart has changed, give yourself permission to change your mind.
Strut Note: Don’t confuse potential with promise. Love should bring you peace, not keep you in a cycle of disappointment.
ANIYA.
STAND UP. We’ve all had moments where we wanted to be chosen, seen, desired, and given a little extra reassurance. There’s nothing wrong with wanting those things from a partner. The thing is… we have to believe them about ourselves first.
So when those moments come, stand in front of the mirror and remember who you are before you look to someone else to remind you.
A partner should complement your confidence—not create it. Never hand someone else the power to determine your worth. The moment your value becomes dependent on someone’s attention, affection, or approval, you’ve forgotten where your identity begins.
You don’t become valuable because someone chooses you. You’re chosen because you’ve always been valuable.
Strut Note: Self-worth isn’t found in someone else’s validation. It begins the moment you decide to see yourself the way you deserve to be seen.
The Strut Take
Whether you’re in a villa, on a dating app, or simply learning to love yourself better, remember this: Love should never cost you your confidence. Choose the people who choose you with clarity, kindness, and consistency.
And before you ask someone else to choose you, make sure you’ve chosen yourself.
Now that’s a hot take worth keeping.
#keepstruttin