Understanding Love
What Is Love? (Let’s Keep It Real)
Love—it’s complicated, right? It’s been the topic of poetry, movies, deep late-night talks, and even scientific studies for centuries. At its simplest, love is that deep, warm feeling of connection and affection. But let’s be real—it’s way more than just a feeling. Love is action, commitment, patience, and sometimes, even sacrifice.
And love? It’s not just about romance. It shows up in all kinds of ways—romantic love, family love, friendships, self-love—each playing a huge role in shaping who we are.
Why Do We Even Need Love?
Love isn’t just a nice bonus in life—it’s essential. It keeps us grounded, connected, and honestly, just makes life better. Here’s why love is such a game-changer:
Emotional Support: Love gives us that safe space to vent, cry, laugh, and just be ourselves.
Mental Health Boost: Feeling loved (and giving love) can do wonders for self-esteem while helping to ease anxiety and depression.
Physical Health Perks: Believe it or not, love can actually lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and even help you live longer.
Stronger Relationships: Love builds trust, deepens friendships, and makes life feel more meaningful.
Love Is a Verb, Not Just a Feeling
People always talk about love like it’s just an emotion, but the truth is—it’s what you do that makes love real. Saying “I love you” is easy, but showing it? That’s where the magic happens.
Love looks like:
Checking in on someone when they’re struggling
Putting in effort, even on the tough days
Showing kindness, patience, and understanding
Being there—really being there
Because at the end of the day, love isn’t just words—it’s how we show up for the people who matter.
The Dark Side of Love: Why Some Stay in Toxic Relationships
Here’s the tough part: love can be confusing, especially in toxic or abusive relationships. It’s painful to watch someone stay in a situation that’s hurting them, but the reasons are complex:
Emotional Dependency: When someone makes you feel like you’re not worthy of better, it’s hard to walk away.
Fear of Being Alone: The idea of leaving can feel scarier than staying.
Hope for Change: Believing that "one day, things will be different" can keep people stuck.
Trauma Bonding: The emotional rollercoaster of abuse can create a strong attachment that’s hard to break.
Understanding this isn’t about judging—it’s about compassion and helping people recognize what real love looks like.
Lust, Infatuation, or Love? Let’s Break It Down
Ever been totally obsessed with someone, only to realize later it wasn’t love at all? Yeah, it happens. Here’s how to tell the difference:
🔥 Lust: Purely physical attraction. Feels intense but fades fast.
💓 Infatuation: That “OMG, I can’t stop thinking about them” phase. Exciting, but often built on idealizing someone rather than truly knowing them.
💖 Love: Deep, steady, and real. Love grows over time and is built on trust, respect, and emotional connection.
Fun fact: Lust can turn into infatuation, and infatuation can develop into love. But knowing the difference helps you make better choices when it comes to relationships.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
Love is powerful—it connects us, heals us, and makes life richer. But it’s not just something that happens to us; it’s something we actively create through our actions and choices.
Love wisely. Love deeply. Love in a way that lifts you and those around you.
Because at the end of the day, love isn’t just about how you feel—it’s about how you show up.
Love, in its many forms, is essential for human happiness and health. Recognizing love as both a feeling and an action helps in cultivating meaningful and lasting relationships. Understanding why people stay in abusive relationships and distinguishing between lust, infatuation, and love can lead to healthier, more fulfilling connections. Ultimately, love's power lies in its ability to connect us, heal us, and enrich our lives. So don’t settle. Love yourself, be your authentic self and you will attract love. 💯
Love & Light💕
The Self-Love Goddess Chic