Love or illusion: How to distinguish true feelings from other emotions
How to distinguish love from other feelings (photo: freepik.com)
Love is one of the most beautiful feelings. Unfortunately, it is not always eternal. Sometimes love fades away, leaving behind only sadness and disappointment. Why does this happen? To begin with, ask yourself, was it really love? Unfortunately, we can easily confuse this feeling with other emotions. Telegram channel Psychological Support explains what love is often confused with.
What we confuse love with
Sexual attraction
Sexual attraction is a strong feeling, but it focuses on the physical aspect of relationships and can exist without any emotional attachments. Therefore, passion is always fleeting.
Infatuation
At the beginning of relationships, we often become infatuated with a partner, their appearance, achievements, intelligence, attributing ideal qualities to them. This feeling can be very intense but may fade over time as we get to know the partner better and discover their flaws.
Approval
Some people who did not receive enough love and support in childhood may struggle with self-belief. They may feel that they are not worth anything. It is crucial for such partners to be praised, as it gives them a sense of being valuable, needed, and loved.
Pity
Individuals with low self-esteem or a tendency towards codependency often seek partners who need to be "saved." They may think they love this person when, in reality, they feel pity for them, deriving a sense of significance through constant self-sacrifice and heroism.
Parental сare
A woman may take care of her partner, worrying about him as if he were a child. A man may seek a woman who will take care of him and solve his problems. It is important to understand that this can simply be a need for care.
How to distinguish love from other feelings
Love is not only a feeling but also an action. It is expressed through care, respect, trust, a desire to be with a partner, and the willingness to share thoughts, feelings, and experiences with them.
Love doesn't make you suffer. While every relationship may face challenges, they should not be constant. If you consistently or frequently feel pain, disappointment, or anger, it may not be love.
Love is not based on fear. You should not be afraid of your partner's reactions or the fear of losing them.
Love makes you a better person. It inspires, motivates personal growth, and boosts self-confidence.
Remember that love is a gift that requires careful handling. If both partners make efforts to preserve their love, it can last forever.
Earlier, we discussed the three critical periods that can occur in a marriage.
We also talked about what you must know when going through a breakup.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
