TEN THING YOU NEED TOO KNOWN CONCERN LOVE 1.
Feeling: While feelings are a
part of it, love is also a
choice, a commitment, and an
action. It's about choosing to
be there for someone, to
support them, and to work
through challenges together,
even when the initial "spark"
fades. Feelings can change,
but love is the decision to
stay and nurture the
connection.
2. Love Requires Self-Love
First: You can't truly love
another person healthily until
you love and accept yourself.
This means understanding
your worth, addressing your
insecurities, and taking care
of your own well-being
(physically, emotionally, and
mentally). Self-love isn't
selfish; it's foundational for
healthy relationships.
3. Communication is Key (and
it's a Skill): Open, honest, and
respectful communication is
the lifeblood of any loving
relationship. This means
being able to express your
needs and feelings clearly,
actively listening to your
partner, and resolving
conflicts constructively. Learn
to communicate effectively -
that means understanding
different communication
styles, using "I" statements,
and avoiding blame.
4. Love Requires Effort (from
both sides): Relationships
take work. They don't just
magically sustain themselves.
This means making time for
each other, showing
appreciation, engaging in
shared activities, and
continually nurturing the
bond. Effort needs to be
mutual.
5. Love is Imperfect: There
will be disagreements,
challenges, and moments of
frustration. Accept that
perfection is a myth. Healthy
love isn't about avoiding
conflict, but about how you
handle it when it arises. It's
about apologizing, forgiving,
and growing together.
6. Love is About Supporting
Growth: True love wants the
best for the other person,
even if that means
encouraging them to pursue
their own goals and dreams,
even if those goals don't
directly involve you. It's
about supporting their
individual growth and
celebrating their successes.
It's not about controlling or
stifling them.
7. Love Doesn't Erase
Problems: Love can't fix
deep-seated issues like
addiction, abuse, or mental
health problems. While love
can be a source of support,
professional help is often
necessary to address these
challenges. Don't expect love
to be a cure-all.
8. Love Comes in Many Forms:
Romantic love is just one
type. Love exists between
family members, friends, and
even towards pets.
Recognize and appreciate the
different forms of love in
your life. Nurturing all of your
relationships is important for
overall well-being.
9. Love Should Feel Safe and
Respectful: A healthy loving
relationship should be built
on trust, respect, and mutual
consent. If you experience
abuse (physical, emotional, or
verbal), control, or consistent
disrespect, it is not love, and
it's important to seek help
and remove yourself from
the situation.
10. Love Evolves: The way
you feel about someone, and
the way your relationship
functions, will change over
time. Be open to adapting
and re-evaluating your needs
and expectations as you and
your partner grow and
change. What worked in the
beginning might not work
later on, and that's okay.
Love is a journey, not a
destination.