The feeling of love is one of those things that’s hard to put into words, isn’t it? Like trying to describe the taste of chocolate to someone who’s never had it. Still, when you’re in love, there are clear signs that point to it. Moments when you realize, “Okay, this is it. I’m truly smitten.” What are those signs? Well, they can be both big and small, obvious and subtle. Let’s explore some of them together.
What does love feel like? Signs you’re experiencing it
1. You think about them non-stop.
Ever found yourself distracted at work or while watching a movie, and your mind just drifts off to them? When you’re in love, thoughts of that person tend to occupy a big chunk of your mind space. It’s like having a favorite song on repeat – their laughter, the last conversation you had, or even mundane details about them just keep playing in your mind.
2. They’re the first person you call with big news.
Good news, bad news, or just random updates – they’re the first one you want to share things with. It doesn’t matter if you’ve won a lottery or just seen the cutest dog; your immediate impulse is to let them know. It’s because sharing experiences with them amplifies your joy or, in difficult times, eases your pain.
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4. The silences you have with them are super comfy and never awkward.
Sure, the endless talks and laughs are great, but there’s something about comfortable silence. Being with them and not feeling the need to fill every moment with words is golden. It’s like you’re both on the same wavelength, content in each other’s presence, needing no verbal affirmation.
5. Their happiness is your happiness. (Aw!)
You know that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when they achieve something or are simply happy? Their joy feels like your own. You become their biggest cheerleader, celebrating their successes, no matter how big or small, with genuine happiness.
6. You want to be as close to them as humanly possible.
It’s not just about intimacy; it’s about the small physical connections. Holding hands, a simple touch on the arm, cuddling on the couch – these seemingly small gestures become significant. They connect you on a deeper level, making you feel close and secure.
7. Their flaws don’t faze you.
Sure, they might snore a little or have an odd quirk, but these imperfections don’t bother you. In fact, they become endearing. You find yourself embracing these quirks because they make them, well, them. It’s not about seeing someone as perfect but loving them, warts and all.
8. You have an extra well of patience just for them.
Remember those little things that used to annoy you in past relationships or dates? Somehow, with this person, you’ve cultivated an unexpected amount of patience. Whether they’re late to a date or forget to call, you find yourself giving them the benefit of the doubt more often than not.
8. You value their opinion more than most people’s.
It’s not about seeking validation but genuinely valuing their viewpoint. Whether you’re making a small decision like buying a dress or bigger ones like career changes, you find their perspective enriching. Their insights help shape your decisions, not dictate them.
9. When they’re not around, you feel it intensely.
It’s not about being overly dependent or clingy. But when they’re not around, there’s a palpable void. You miss them. Maybe it’s the way your day feels a tad less bright or how certain moments feel incomplete without sharing them.
10. You start adopting their expressions and phrases.
Have you noticed that you’ve started picking up their slang or laughing at things you earlier didn’t? Love has a sneaky way of merging worlds. You start incorporating parts of their world into yours, almost unconsciously.
11. You feel so much empathy for them.
You feel more attuned to their emotions. If they’ve had a rough day, it affects you. If they’re elated, your spirits lift. This heightened sense of empathy isn’t just about mirroring feelings but genuinely feeling intertwined on an emotional level.
12. Their happiness fuels you.
When they succeed or have a reason to smile, you feel an indescribable joy. It’s not about living vicariously through them, but genuinely celebrating their moments as if they were your own. Their joys and achievements feel deeply personal to you.
13. You can easily envision your future with them by your side.
And it’s not just about dreamy, far-off scenarios. You think about the mundane daily life stuff—doing groceries together, arguing over TV shows, or having quiet Sunday mornings. The prospect of a shared everyday life becomes an exciting thought.
14. You don’t mind meeting them halfway.
You find yourself more willing to compromise and meet in the middle. It’s not about sacrificing your identity, but making tweaks in habits or plans to harmonize better with them. The thought of ‘us’ begins to hold more weight than just ‘me.’ That’s pretty telling.
15. Their texts make you grin from ear to ear.
Even a simple “Hey” or “Thinking of you” from them can flip your day around. You don’t need grand declarations daily. It’s those little check-ins or shared memes that build a connection, making ordinary moments feel special.
16. You’re open about vulnerabilities.
Being in love means feeling safe enough to show your soft underbelly. You open up about past hurts, fears, and dreams, knowing they’ll handle your vulnerabilities with care. It’s about trusting them with the unpolished, raw parts of you.
17. Little things remind you of them.
Whether it’s a song on the radio or a scene from a movie, everyday moments suddenly have a connection to them. It’s as if they’ve become an integral part of your narrative, weaving into various parts of your life.
19. You prioritize their needs naturally.
While self-care is essential, there’s a natural tendency to think about their well-being. Whether it’s picking up their favorite snack or considering their feelings before making a decision, their needs become pivotal in your decision-making process.
20. Jealousy is rare, but it does happen from time to time.
You trust them, absolutely. But every once in a while, the green-eyed monster might make a tiny appearance. Not in an overwhelming, toxic way, but just enough to remind you how much they mean to you.
21. You never run out of things to talk about.
When you’re in love, it’s not just about heart-racing moments or grand gestures. The quiet moments matter just as much. You find that conversations with them, whether they’re about deep life topics or the mundane details of your day, flow effortlessly. It’s the comfort of knowing you can chat about anything, and they’ll be interested. Or, that even in silence, there’s a depth of understanding.
22. You love celebrating their achievements.
Love isn’t just about being there during the tough times; it’s about celebrating the good times, too. When they succeed or reach a milestone, you feel a swell of pride, as if their achievements are your own. It’s this shared joy, this innate desire to see them thrive and be happy, that cements your bond.
23. Their quirks are adorable rather than annoying.
At the start, maybe you found some of their habits or quirks a tad peculiar. But now? They’ve grown on you. Those little idiosyncrasies, whether it’s how they mispronounce certain words or their peculiar dance moves, have transformed from mere observations to cherished quirks. It’s these small, unique things that make them, well, them, and you wouldn’t change it for the world.
24. The time you spend together is never enough.
Even after spending a whole day together, parting ways feels tough. It’s not about dependency, but about genuinely enjoying each other’s company. An hour feels like a minute, and by the time you part, you’re already looking forward to the next meetup. This longing to share moments, big and small, speaks volumes about your emotional bond.
25. You respect their boundaries (and they respect yours).
Love isn’t just about togetherness; it’s about respecting each other’s individual spaces and boundaries. If they need some alone time or have certain boundaries set, you understand and respect it without feeling slighted. Similarly, they show you the same level of understanding, emphasizing mutual respect in your relationship.
26. You’ve been introduced to a ton of new interests and hobbies.
Maybe before meeting them, you never understood the appeal of hiking or the allure of art galleries. But seeing their eyes light up when discussing these passions piqued your interest. Now, you find yourself delving into these new areas, not just for them, but because you’ve genuinely developed an interest. It’s about shared experiences and growing together.
27. You can’t bear the thought of losing them.
It’s not about being overly possessive or paranoid. Instead, it’s the realization of how integral they’ve become to your life. The mere thought of not having them around brings a pang in your heart. It’s this deep-rooted feeling, a mix of appreciation and fear, which signifies just how profoundly you care about them.
28. You’re excited to wake up every day because you know you’ll get to see them.
Sure, you have a meeting at work that you’re dreading and the house is filthy and needs to be cleaned, but all the annoying stuff doesn’t matter so much because you know you’re going to see them. They manage to turn even the worst days into bearable ones.
29. You’ve never felt happier or more content with where you are in life.
Sure, you’re still on a journey of self-improvement and have plenty of things you want to accomplish, but with them by your side, you feel like you could take on the world. In the meantime, you’re in an amazing place because you have them on your team.
30. You find yourself smiling just thinking about them.
You don’t even need to be with them or hear from them for a smile to break out on your face. You’ll just get a flash of memory — something they said or did or a moment you shared recently — and you start grinning like a freak on your morning commute. Love feels like this.
31. Your friends and family have never seen this side of you before.
If your nearest and dearest are suddenly remarking on what a (positive) change they’re seeing in you, it’s likely because you’re in love. That gives you a sort of glow that’s unique to that amazing experience. They’re seeing you shine brightly because this person is bringing the best out of you, and that’s incredible.
32. Those sappy couples you walk by on the street or see on TV don’t annoy you anymore.
It’s easy to feel bitter and jaded when you’re a lonely single woman. However, when you really love someone yourself, you kinda get why everyone else is acting like a moony idiot who can’t see the light of day. It’s much less annoying when you’re in the same boat., that’s for sure.
33. You just feel it in your gut.
You don’t really need an academic answer to what love feels like when you’re experiencing it first-hand. Something in the pit of your stomach just tells you, “This is it. This is love,” and you know in your heart that it’s right.
What is love, anyway?
iStock/IlonaShorokhovaYou know what it feels like, but what is it really at its core? Historically, love has always been a cornerstone of human existence. No matter what else has changed across the centuries, love has been there to guide the way.
1. There were four types of love in ancient Greece.
The Greeks had it figured out with four words for love. ‘Eros’ was about romance and passion. ‘Philia’ meant deep friendship or brotherly love. ‘Storge’ was all about family, think of the bond between parents and kids. ‘Agape’? That’s the big, unconditional love, often tied to spirituality or greater good.
2. By Medieval times, we shifted to “courtly love.”
Picture a knight in shining armor, serenading a lady. That’s the Medieval idea of love. It was more about honor and nobility, sometimes with a side of unrequited feelings. This was popular in all kinds of writing and artwork at the time, and was seen as pretty romantic. Messed up, right?
3. Want a partner? Attract love with the power of your mind.
Sweetn is a new research-based startup that shows you how to call love into your life with the power of your mind. Take our quiz, and try our tools—they can transform your energy and your love life in a few weeks. Just click here.
4. The Renaissance brought a focus to the human touch.
In this period, which spanned the 14th to 17th centuries, love became more down-to-earth, more about real human emotions and experiences. It wasn’t just an ideal; it was personal and relatable. It definitely began to resemble our more modern ideas of love.
5. What does science have to say about love?
Fast forward a bit more, and now science chimes in. Feel that fluttery feeling in your stomach? Thank dopamine. That strong bond you feel after a hug or being close? Thank oxytocin. Love isn’t just an emotion; there’s actual chemistry involved!
6. These days, it’s all about choices.
Nowadays, love is as much about choice as it is about emotion. With dating apps and a global society, love can be about finding someone who shares your Netflix binge choices or someone from a completely different culture. It’s vast, varied, and very individual.
7. Don’t forget self-love, too!
Recently, there’s been a big push on understanding and embracing self-love. It’s the idea of valuing oneself, and it’s as crucial as loving someone else. Because when you’re cool with who you are, you can genuinely be cool with someone else.
