When it comes to love, people have a lot of ideas about what it should feel like. Some think that love is simply a feeling of excitement and attraction, while others believe that it’s more than that. Some people even believe that loving someone involves sacrifice, selflessness and putting the other person’s needs before your own. While those things are part of love, they’re certainly not all that it takes to be in true love.
It seems that the way we often define “love” is somewhat based on popular culture, which tends to portray it as something magical and exciting. But the reality of loving someone can be much more difficult than what we often think of. It can involve early morning doctor’s visits, cleaning up bodily fluids and dealing with a spouse or partner who may not always make you happy.
Despite these challenges, it’s important to remember that loving someone is worth the work, because it can lead to a long and fulfilling relationship. It can also help you find a greater sense of self-worth. Here are some of the common ways that people describe being in love:
Many people know when they’re falling in love because their significant other begins to take up a large amount of real estate in their thoughts. They’re constantly thinking about their relationship and what the future might hold. They might reread texts or view photos of them over and over again. They might even wake up and fall asleep thinking about them. It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe, so they turn to stock terms such as soul mate or the one.
Some researchers suggest that feelings of love are different than other emotions because they’re more complex. They’re also more enduring than other emotions. Other scientists, however, believe that while love is an emotion, it’s not the primary emotional experience of humans. Instead, they think that it’s an amplification of primary emotions, such as happiness and anger.
When a person is in love, they often become more open to trying new things and experiencing other cultures. They might also become more willing to change their own behavior for the better. They’re often more supportive of their loved ones, especially when they’re in a destructive pattern. This is sometimes referred to as sacrificial love, because it can be difficult to endure the suffering of a loved one.
If we understand that love is a bond, then it’s much more likely to last than other emotions, such as lust or hate. This also means that it’s less likely to disappear when you or your friend don’t feel the same way for a while or when life changes dramatically.