Disney, fantasies and fictions have widely influenced our perceptions. The fairytales we hear often lead us to imagine that true love involves love at first sight, butterflies and moments where time stands still. All these cinematic portrayals are entertaining to watch but they create unrealistic expectations.
While reality is, many genuine connections are overlooked because they don’t fit these fantasies. Unfortunately, most of the people have been misled by the media. They think these fictional stories represent the true essence of real love, which can be very disappointing when they find out the truth.
True love is not just about poetic lines and grand gestures. It’s built on mutual respect, trust, empathy, admiration, and understanding, where both partners support and inspire each other. Ultimately, true love is characterised by a genuine desire to uplift one another.
Infatuation vs Genuine Love
Infatuation is an intense obsession with a person where mostly you may convince yourself it’s love, even though it’s not. It often leads to losing yourself in the process of trying to impress the other person. In contrast, genuine love is built on mutual respect and understanding. It’s healthy and ensures that both partners are happy and fulfilled.
Read More: Why do People Fall in Love?
What True love feels like…
True love brings a profound sense of safety and security, where your heart finds peace and ease in each other’s presence. You’ll feel grounded, for when you’re with them. Being with them shields you from other worries and pain. They give you confidence also get a feeling that you can withstand any storm with them.
In true love, both partners care about the little things. They willingly pay attention to small details about each other and show genuine interest without being annoyed or indifferent. They may even do things that doesn’t make sense to them but matter to their partner. It’s a mutual exchange where each person notices what brings joy to the other and makes an effort to do those things.
True love inspires each other to grow and improve. Their love encourages personal growth not through pressure, but through the positive influence of their unwavering support and also from intrinsic motivation– a motivation that comes from within. You strive to be a better person because you want to enhance the relationship and make them proud.
True love means caring unconditionally for someone, regardless of the circumstances. This means that no matter what challenges or changes come your way, a person who truly loves you will continue to care deeply for you. A person who truly loves you will consistently show their concern and support, whether you are at your best or your worst. They are steadfast in their affection. They always wish for your well-being and happiness.
True love involves accepting you completely, including your flaws, without attempting to change or fix you. Rather than trying to alter who you are, a loving partner will stand by you and embrace you as you are. This unconditional acceptance fosters an environment where, inspired by their genuine affection, you naturally feel motivated to become a better version of yourself. With true love, you can talk about anything without hesitation. You feel
completely safe sharing your thoughts and feelings, knowing that the person won’t judge you. This sense of security allows you to open up about anything and everything with complete trust.
True love often involves sharing similar opinions and values. Initially, the idea that “opposites attract” might seem true but lasting love is only built on mutual understanding. When both partners are on the same page, it leads to fewer misunderstandings and less stress & worry making life decisions easier. Aligning on crucial matters such as views on right and wrong, cultural background, religion, or even food preferences makes decision-making smoother and strengthens the bond, as both partners are more likely to click and support each other effectively.
True love involves having similar opinions on most matters, but also handling differences gracefully. A loving relationship is characterised by open communication and a willingness to reach a consensus that respects everyone’s feelings, even at times of disagreement. This balance ensures that differences are managed thoughtfully and don’t harm the relationship. If it is so then chances are you’ve found your one.
In true love, both partners’ happiness is intertwined. It’s not just about making each other happy in return, but about finding joy in the effort each person makes for the other. When both partners are actively contributing to each other’s happiness, the relationship thrives. If you feel happy and fulfilled, knowing that you’re both giving and receiving equally, it’s a strong sign that you’ve found true love.
In true love, you naturally begin to use words like “we”, “us”, and “ours” instead of “me”, “my”, or “mine”. This shift shows a strong sense of unity and a deep commitment among the couples. When someone truly loves you, they effortlessly include you in their language and claim you as a cherished part of their life. They even embrace every little opportunity to show you that you are loved and belong to them.
In a healthy relationship, a certain amount of possessiveness can make you feel secure, but when it exceeds the amount, it becomes toxic. It’s all about a balanced sense of commitment that reassures you, rather than restrictive or controlling behavior. This is what helps you determine whether it’s true love or not.
Conclusion
Thus, these are some signs of true love. If you recognize these feelings in your relationship, you may have found genuine love. But what is to be noted is that, if you’re always the one putting in all the effort or making big sacrifices, it might be time to reconsider and move on. Communication is the crucial key, so talk things over with your partner. Ultimately, these signs are just indicators, you’ll know if you’ve found the right person when your heart feels certain. Trust the process and always remember, you deserve to be in good hands.
References +
- BetterHelp Editorial Team. (2024, September 3). What is true love? Figuring out if you’ve found the one | BetterHelp. https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/what-is-true-love-and-how-to-know-when-youve-found-it/
- Eldemire, L. (2023, September 7). True signs of true love. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/couples-thrive/202309/true-signs-of-true-love#ip=1
- Lloyd, S. L. (2024, July 25). What is true love? LiveAbout. https://www.liveabout.com/what-is-true-love-1021940