How “I Love You” Is Frequently Used To Express Feelings
Do you need to love you more? Sometimes love takes a backseat as life gets in the way and we lose touch with our higher motives. Love encompasses a wide range of positive and powerful emotional and psychological states, from an overriding passion, the deepest personal love, the simplest joy, to the greatest emotional satisfaction. The greatest gift is the ability to love you deeply for who you really are.
When we speak about love, most of us are talking about our own feelings of love. Yet it’s important to realize that love is a language we all use, whether or not we realize it. We all have the same intentions behind our expressions of love, and if you want to listen and truly hear your partner, you must be open to their responses and the subtle nuances of their words and feelings.
When you know what it is you’re feeling, you can then speak in loving, truthful terms. Three words are all you need: I love you and I wish you well. If your intention is purely one of friendship and nothing else, these three words will be enough to express your sentiments. But if you wish to express feelings of affection for your spouse or partner, you may want to add “I love you” to this list.
The difference between saying “I love you” and “I love you and wish you well” is subtlety and intent. A common distinction is that those who say “I love you” to another person are in a romantic relationship. Those who say “I love you” to themselves are not in a romantic relationship, but rather are expressing mild, often happy emotions. When it comes to the feelings and emotions of a romantic partner, however, these same three words are used differently.
If you’re saying “I love you” to your best friend, she would interpret your expression of adoration in different ways. Instead of saying “I love you,” would you use words like “Your friendship is the most beautiful thing in the world,” or “You make me laugh” or “You’re just funny”? The intent of saying “I love you” to your best friend changes every time. So when you’re saying “I love you,” try not to sound whiny, overly self-pitying, or desperate; you don’t want to come across as a whiny teenager!
Love is subjective, so it only comes from the innermost thoughts of two people. When we say “I love you,” we speak from our heart and from our own subjective feelings toward that other person. When you say “I love you,” you are saying “My feelings about you are completely genuine.” “I love you” is commonly used to express feelings, but not because of what those feelings are externally; rather, it’s because of what they are inside of your heart.
