Many people believe that love is the pinnacle of human happiness. It’s the feeling you get when you see a child smile for the first time or experience an intimate moment with your partner. It’s the reason you drop your sun-drenched vacation plans for a friend in need, or buy a new sweater for a coworker who makes your day brighter. However, the truth is that while love can be a source of immense joy, it’s not always easy to know when you’re actually in it.
It can be difficult to distinguish between real love and infatuation, especially in a time when many relationships are conducted almost exclusively through digital communication. As a result, it’s not unusual for couples to say “I love you” before ever meeting each other face to face. And, because of this, it’s important to know whether or not you’re ready to utter those powerful words.
Whether you’re looking to declare your feelings for someone else or simply want to feel happy, there are a few key clues that can indicate when it might be time to say those three little words.
The First Signs You May Be in Love
The most obvious sign of being in love is having a deep sense of empathy for others. This can manifest itself in your actions, as well as your thoughts and emotions. You care about the world around you and have a desire to make it better.
This may include volunteering at a local food bank or nursing home, as well as supporting a charity close to your heart. It could also be as simple as making an effort to be kind to strangers on the street.
The second sign of being in love is having a sense of commitment to another person. This isn’t a feeling that can be rushed or earned; it comes from deep within you and is unmovable by any situation or disagreement. You will stay by the side of this person through good times and bad, and you will do whatever it takes to support them, even if that means making sacrifices.
You can often tell you’re in love when you find yourself thinking about them all the time and wanting to spend more and more time with them. This is also true when you can’t wait to introduce them to your family and friends.
Finally, you’ll be in love when you are willing to sacrifice your own needs for the sake of the relationship. This can be seen when your partner wakes up in the middle of the night to bring you a glass of water or drops their vacation plans to be by your sick parent’s bedside. It’s a sacrifice that isn’t taken lightly and is only done for those you truly love.
