What does love mean to you?

[estella~]

I've come to realize that the one thing that's super integrated into living is love. It causes a lot of satisfaction and fulfillment, but it can also lead to very deep valleys of despair. I know that caring comes from love (or hate, it depends), but once you care for someone and are involved in their life, the boundaries between you and them get mixed, and it's constantly crossed as a result. Whether the crossing of boundaries become hurtful or healing, becoming worthy of ending the relationship or resulting in strengthening it, love is so inherently subjective and complex that I guess I've been suffering in my life because I never understood it the way everyone else understands it as a collective in the society I perceive I live in.

 

[FoxSauce]

Well I guess people having your back and just caring about you. It doesnt have to be a romantic relationship can be applied as parental or even platonic.

A person that actually gives a damn not trying to use you for something and adios

For me ig

 

[pthnrdnojvsc]

Love means nothing to me

 

[behindtheveil]

I've come to realize that the one thing that's super integrated into living is love. It causes a lot of satisfaction and fulfillment, but it can also lead to very deep valleys of despair. I know that caring comes from love (or hate, it depends), but once you care for someone and are involved in their life, the boundaries between you and them get mixed, and it's constantly crossed as a result. Whether the crossing of boundaries become hurtful or healing, becoming worthy of ending the relationship or resulting in strengthening it, love is so inherently subjective and complex that I guess I've been suffering in my life because I never understood it the way everyone else understands it as a collective in the society I perceive I live in.

It's not you. Love is complicated!
But there is a difference between relationship and love. Relationship does not guarantee you love but love does entails you the prior.
Love is nurturing, caring and somewhat divine. In other words, it comes with a tagline, "Got your back, Jack!"
Life on the other hand does not care about promising us love. It's more as a continuous struggle. If we are lucky, we get to experience glimpses of love, maybe from our parents, friend, siblings or if you are really luck then even from your special someone.
Yes, relationship does require a lot of effort. But everything including relationships are part of the curriculum, life throws at us.
So don't worry, take it with a pinch of salt. We will graduate one day.
Take care and loads of love to you.

 

[Pale_Rider]

It's bullshit like everything else.
Sorry. My heart is super hard for that crap now. The romantic type anyways.

 

[nolifer23]

Regular unhinged sex

 

[Persona3]

Let me tell you a secret.. it's oftentimes one of the world's sweetest and bitterest illusions. I've seen many relationships fail because one person's ,,needs,, could no longer be met. But it can also be real, and when it is, it's like fog.
People who are naive will only come to realize this wisdom as they grow older, or when the people within a relationship change. And no, I'm not old. I just observe a lot.

People cling to this illusion because it's a fundamental part of human nature

 

[torturedmind]

I think from my experience..love is when someone puts up with your shit because they can't imagine their life without you in it. Even if you make them sad or angry sometimes, they don't abandon you because no matter what, you mean so much to them that they will be there for you unconditionally.

 

[fromange]

I think from my experience..love is when someone puts up with your shit because they can't imagine their life without you in it. Even if you make them sad or angry sometimes, they don't abandon you because no matter what, you mean so much to them that they will be there for you unconditionally.

I agree with this. And there are words like unconditional love, but I think it's a redundant phrase. You can call the conditional ones care or attention or affection, etc. Also, unconditional doesn't mean forever; everything always ends, eventually. Parents are supposed to have true unconditional love with no limits. They're the only ones that owe anything to you in this world. But that's not possible. How shitty and unlovable the unborn child may be, you don't know yet. So you better be confident in your holiness when you're rolling a dice.

 

[Feldsparc]

I feel guilty. I had true unconditional love from my husband..yet went and had an affair where alll my childhood trauma was brought out and left me a wreck. Love is a scary word for me now. Its caused me to ruin my own life

 

[ireallywasnttogopls]

its a burden

the price of love is grief, and incredibly heavy tax that will stay with you for the rest of your life

i cant help but have this mindset, everything and all relationships are impermenant and fleeting

 

[delinquentsandwich]

love is patience, consideration and understanding

it can apply to both platonic and in relationships

love is beautiful and yet it can bring so much ruin

 

[Pluto]

 

[Front Back]

Not really sure, but i'd love to sleep burying my face in someone chest.

 

[PainThreshold]

Some type of narcotics and the likes. I don't participate in narcotics.

 

[chaoschuckler]

Understanding and caring for each other are, making each other happy and laugh. People who are truly in love can understand each other without even speaking. They can sense what the other person is thinking or feeling and respond accordingly. Personally, I believe only a best friend can naturally evolve into a romantic partner because there's already trust, comfort, and emotional connection. I find it difficult to develop romantic feelings for a complete stranger right away.

 

[dearlydeparted44]

I've come to realize that the one thing that's super integrated into living is love. It causes a lot of satisfaction and fulfillment, but it can also lead to very deep valleys of despair. I know that caring comes from love (or hate, it depends), but once you care for someone and are involved in their life, the boundaries between you and them get mixed, and it's constantly crossed as a result. Whether the crossing of boundaries become hurtful or healing, becoming worthy of ending the relationship or resulting in strengthening it, love is so inherently subjective and complex that I guess I've been suffering in my life because I never understood it the way everyone else understands it as a collective in the society I perceive I live in.

I have to disagree with you. Love is NOT integrated into life. It's kind of taught. And it's done so to the ends of transaction and utilitarianism. If I offer this person this, or if I am a version of myself that allows them to feel safe, then I'm going to be "loved." When I no longer do those things, I will not be "loved." After many, many failed attempts to show genuine love and try to get the same back, I've learned that I was never truly loved. I just offered people something. Money. Sex. Companionship. Convenience.

Love is not inherent of the human personality. It's taught. Human love is transactional, much like pets (as much as people want to convince themselves otherwise.) If you offer something, humans show a softer side of themselves. When you no longer offer that, or when they no longer need you, they discard you and the relationship ends. Much like if you stopped feeding your pet, it'll either turn on you or run away. Love is more a comforting delusion and a marketing strategy to humans, than it is a deeply held value. People's feelings change like the north winds. Your best friend yesterday could be your bitter enemy this morning. The "love of your life" could meet someone taller/funnier/prettier/sexier, and there goes years of memories in one night.

So, human love means absolutely nothing to me.

 

[TheRedRoad]

Love honestly means not much to me. While I do have a girlfriend of my own, I'm aware I may not love her as much as she loves me and I feel incredibly numb about it. I still give her much of my affection and care and I sincerely do cherish her, as I believe putting up with someone is by definition love...

But my emotions in general just feel so muted and I don't care enough anymore to try and work on that.