Many individuals have highlighted the “honeymoon phase” that often characterizes the early stages of getting to know and falling in love with someone. This can be in the form of music, smells, memories, revisiting meaningful places, or remembering a special book or poem they once shared. Love can still exist from the past and keep its place in line until a better future resumes, but a couple must initiate those experiences and take the time to share them when they are facing challenges. If their actions mirror your thoughtful actions, and their feelings reflect your strong feelings, then they’re probably in love with you. “If someone is falling in love with you, they will be just as excited to be around you,” Dr. Montgomery says.
Even when you’re not together, you don’t find yourself constantly checking your phone or worried that something bad might happen. You trust each other and are confident and secure in your relationship. Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D., is a social psychologist at the University of Michigan whose research focuses on interpersonal relationships and well-being. Brandy had learned to abandon responsibility for her own feelings and to make others responsible for her feelings of safety and worth. That was the heart of the concern a woman named Brandy came to me with.
Love feelings are one of the most powerful and mysterious emotions that humans experience. Whether it’s the rush of excitement when you see your partner or the deep sense of connection when you hold hands, love feelings can be both exhilarating and overwhelming.
Types of Love Feelings
For example, you might move across the country, even to a different country, to support your partner. When you think of love, your heart might be the first organ that comes to mind. There’s no denying that love can do a number on you, whether you’re head over heels, stuck on someone, or completely swept away.
There are many different types of love feelings that people can experience. Some common ones include:
Here’s what true love is all about, plus 10 signs you’re in it. This work (Xia et al., 2023) makes important strides towards defining the feeling of love. Future work will benefit from extending beyond undergraduates to adults and older adults. We may be able to report on what we think the underpinnings of love are, but great insight could be gained by finding alternative ways to measure relationship dynamics and link them to what love is.
- Passion: This intense feeling of desire and attraction towards another person.
- Companionship: The warm and comforting feeling of being with someone who truly understands and supports you.
- Attachment: The deep bond that forms over time with a partner, family member, or friend.
And, of course, the love you feel for friends, or platonic love, can still run pretty deep — even though it doesn’t involve any romantic or sexual attraction. But it doesn’t need to be this way, for we can turn to relationship experts. We need them in this modern day of social media and dating apps, when access to all those fishes in the sea is easier than ever and many of us are dating more than one person at a time. There are just so many things that can muddle our ability to decode the signs of love. There’s a lack of consensus on how many stages of love there are. However, many agree that how a person experiences it can change over time.
The early, euphoric feelings result from increases in dopamine and norepinephrine. You’ll develop a deeper connection once oxytocin levels increase as it leads to attachment. When it comes to love, some people would say it is one of the most important human emotions. Love is a set of emotions and behaviors characterized by intimacy, passion, and commitment. It involves care, closeness, protectiveness, attraction, affection, and trust. If you and your partner devote effort to maintaining your bond, at the very least, you’ll probably have a strong relationship.
FAQs about Love Feelings
Q: Can love feelings change over time?
A: Yes, love feelings can evolve and shift as relationships grow and develop. It’s normal for feelings to fluctuate over time.
Q: How do I know if my love feelings are genuine?
A: Genuine love feelings are characterized by respect, trust, and empathy towards the other person. If you feel a deep connection and care for their well-being, it’s likely that your love feelings are authentic.
In conclusion, love feelings are a complex and multifaceted aspect of human relationships. They can bring joy, fulfillment, and meaning to our lives, but they can also be challenging and confusing at times. Understanding and embracing our love feelings is essential for building healthy and lasting connections with others.