The word love comes in many forms, from the deep bond we have with our family to the romance that can make us feel like we’re on top of the world. It enriches our lives and provides support during tough times, but it also needs to be nurtured and understood to grow. The emotions involved in loving someone else can be confusing and overwhelming, so it’s important to understand the difference between different types of love.
Many philosophers and psychologists have discussed how love works, and it’s easy to see why. Even though everyone experiences the feeling of love differently, there are a few common factors that can help you decipher whether what you’re experiencing is real or not. For example, there are plenty of things that can look and feel like love but aren’t, including lust and infatuation.
Infatuation is a temporary feeling of attraction to another person that often comes with the rush of hormones, such as dopamine, adrenaline and norepinephrine. It’s what causes your cheeks to blush, your heart rate to accelerate and your palms to sweat when you meet someone who catches your eye. It’s a strong urge that can quickly turn into obsession and a desire to spend as much time with that person as possible.
True love, on the other hand, is a deeper emotional attachment that’s more than just an addictive rush of hormones. It’s a commitment to stay with the same person through good and bad times, and it involves sharing thoughts and feelings, both good and bad. This form of love isn’t necessarily easy, especially in the beginning when it can be hard to distinguish a genuine connection from one that’s just temporary and emotionally intense.
For example, you’ll probably have days or even weeks when you don’t feel all mushy-gushy in love with the person you’re with. That’s totally normal and okay! But then, there will be times when you’ll look at them and a wave of love will inundate you, and you’ll think that your heart can’t possibly hold it all and is going to explode. That’s the kind of love that makes sticking it out well worth it.
You might have heard that “love is a choice” or that it’s something that can be lost or taken away. This is true, but it’s also something that can be earned back. To earn it, you need to be able to recognize what true love looks like and then do your best to give that same type of love to others. Love is not about being selfish, but it’s about connecting with people and helping them to become their best selves. You have a right to love, and every person deserves to be loved in return. Just remember that it takes a lot of work to love someone, but it’s always worth it in the end.
