How Psychologist Explain Infatuation Vs Love?

Infatuation Vs. Love

How do you Explain Infatuation Vs? Love to someone who has never experienced either?

Who can say no to the excitement of a new crush? What if your crush becomes a new fling? There will be fireworks displays. Making yourself available to someone new is both terrifying and exciting. When you’re smitten with everything about your partner, it’s too easy to dive right in. Infatuation can sometimes be intense, whether falling or somewhere under the umbrella of romantic obsession.

I used to think that infatuation was a natural part of love. I thought they were mutually beneficial until I tried them and discovered they couldn’t coexist. Too many people believe they are in love with someone simply because they are amazing. They can’t stop thinking about them, but the truth is that the intensity that comes with genuinely liking someone is not always loved.

Today I will meet with Raju Akon, a Clinical and Counseling Psychologist. He provided in-depth information on Infatuation and Love. Let’s check what it means:

Infatuation is Flimsy Love

Infatuation is defined as an intense physical attraction to someone. A person in love finds it challenging to think of anything other than another person.

Brief encounters are replayed in one’s head; it may be challenging to eat, and there may be a state of arousal that is relatively constant. Infatuation is rather apparent.

If someone first-time experiences infatuation, they will be confident that they will ‘never feel this way again and that this person is ‘the one.

After all, the body and mind react to them so powerfully and consistently that it’s hard to imagine a life worth living without them at its heart.

This is not the case, as people vulnerable to infatuations will have many in their life.

Three Basic Components of Love :

There are three critical components of love, according to Sternberg (1988):

  • Passion,
  • Intimacy
  • Commitment

The presence or absence of each of these components affects love relationships in different ways.

The intense physical attraction that partners feel for one another is called passion.

Intimacy is the ability to share feelings, personal thoughts, and psychological closeness with another person.

Commitment is the deliberate decision to remain together.

In the early stages of a relationship, passion can be found, but intimacy takes time to develop because it is based on the partner’s knowledge. Partners may decide to stay in a relationship once intimacy has been established.

Read: Best Long Distance Relationship Gift Ideas

Is it True that Infatuation is a Negative Emotion?

Infatuation is pretty common among teenagers and pre-teens.

Infatuation helps us learn who we are drawn to when we are young and still develop our faith.

Our brains are still developing, and our hormones are changing. Our bodies are awakening to the fact that they are drawn to others while we are infatuated. So, at this stage, infatuation is typical.

But at our adult stage, we discover that infatuation is just the beginning and must also consider other factors. We consider common interests and beliefs and how the individual treats us. So, when we don’t consider these factors before jumping into a relationship, infatuation works as negative emotion when things get messy.

Knowing the Difference Between Infatuation and Love:

Sometimes it may be challenging to find the difference between infatuation and love.

Many relationships begin with a healthy dose of adoration. The fiery initial period of infatuation in healthy relationships is temporary, giving way to a true partnership founded on confidence and affection rather than an obsessive attachment to the other individual.

When infatuation fades from a relationship, it doesn’t mean that the couple no longer cares for each other; somewhat, the relationship has matured into a more stable, reciprocal bond.

As infatuation fuels fear, the relationship either ends quickly or drags on as the infatuation transforms into a dangerous attraction to the other person.

So, step back and listen to your gut if you or a romantic partner is becoming too intense, obsessed, or controlling. Whether you’re in a relationship or not, knowing how a relationship or individual makes you feel can be highly beneficial.

Still unsure whether your relationship is based on shared interests or infatuation? Face the following questions to yourself:

1. Do you Guys Have Similar Strong Feelings?

This may seem self-evident, but the prism of infatuation has a curious way of translating signs and signals from your significant other into whatever color best serves your current narrative. A Facebook-like or vague answer to a text message can mean the world when you’re high. When you’re down, the same reaction will completely derail your day.

Even if you disagree, being direct and knowing where each other stands symbolizes a good partnership.

2. Are you Guys Ignoring Your Responsibilities?

Since there’s a sense of urgency, as though your friendship would disappear into thin air if you turn away, infatuation throws your priorities out of whack.

You neglect your friends, family, and school obligations, believing that spending time with the object of your adoration is more critical.

You might even find yourself putting your life on hold to remain there for your partner.

When you love somebody, the way they live their life inspires you. You don’t have to be with them at all times of the day! Love respects people’s limits and allows them to live satisfying lives on their terms.

3. Are you Behaving Typically?

Consider what you usually do to make yourself happy and see if your desires have changed to match the object of your adoration.

It’s always fun to open up and learn new things from a particular person, but you should never feel obligated to hide or alter who you are to please your partner.

4. To What Extent Does Jealousy Play a Role?

Do you keep tabs on your significant other’s social media activity? Are you hurt or worried if they like someone’s posts too frequently? Or, even worse, are you comparing yourself to their ex on social media?

Jealousy is unattractive and possessive and stems from danger and insecurity.

It’s difficult not to focus on what makes us jealous, but the most helpful question to ask yourself is what your jealousy means about your relationship.

What is it about them that makes you so insecure?

Although jealousy can arise in any relationship, the more you discuss it when it arises and stay open and truthful with your partner about how you’re feeling, the more confidence and intimacy you’ll develop.

5. If you’re Overthinking your Relationship or Trying to Figure out How They’re Feeling… It’s

Love is a two-way street. On the other hand, infatuation is often one-sided. If you’re in love, you could spend much time wondering if they’re really into or loyal to you. If they haven’t texted you, you could obsess about minor details, such as what to text them in the middle of the day. Your relationship is full of doubt; it isn’t yet loved.

6. It is Love if You Know You Can Depend on Them in a Crisis.

Assume your car breaks down, or you learn a loved one is in the hospital. Will you make contact with the person in question?

It’s love if you know you’ll be welcomed with warm, welcoming, and soothing gestures if you say yes. It’s probably infatuation if you think a crisis will be “too much” for the individual to handle.

Moreover, it’s probably infatuation if you think a crisis will be “too much” for the individual to handle. Love has scope, and difficulties don’t faze it. Love endures.

7. If Your Relationship is Primarily Physical in Nature… It’s Infatuation.

Consider how much time you spend with the person you’re seeing. Is sex a significant part of it? Will you (or they) prefer to hook up instead of going out?

Can you chat after you’ve gotten physical, or do you find talking about “true stuff” outside the bedroom difficult?

Do you go on dates, catch up with friends and relatives, and participate in hobbies? Or do you have to have sex at every get-together?

In any romantic relationship, sex is highly significant. On the other hand, love does not seem to be the primary subject. It appears to be an exciting way to express your affection for your partner.

Is it Love or Infatuation, Then?

It’s important not to feel embarrassed if these topics resonate with you.

Society allows us to lose ourselves in this flimsy concept of love to make us feel like losers when it all falls apart.

Understanding how easy it is to slip into these habits can not only help you avoid abusive relationships, but it can also help you treat yourself with kindness when you rebound from an unhealthy relationship or fixation.

What do you do if You’re Infatuated?

I want to emphasize that infatuation is not harmful; it is the beginning of many beautiful relationships. To get to a place of love, however, all parties must “do the work” and be genuinely open to falling. It will never grow if you aren’t still on the same page. You must put in the effort if you want love, not just lust.

1. Prioritize Date Nights Over Sex Nights.

If your emotional relationship hasn’t progressed, get out of a situation (like at home) where you’ll be tempted to get distracted. Instead, go for a stroll or a hike. Take a bottle of wine to the park and have a picnic. Take a short road trip together. Put yourself in positions where you can chat and get to know each other.

2. Ask Honest Questions and Also Give Honest Answers to Serious Questions!!

You must go beyond the person’s everyday life and into the realm of their dreams. You should feel free to ask where they see their life going if you’ve been dating for a while—at least a few months—if they want kids, if they want to get married one day if they want to fly, and what kind of life they want to have.

This is how you can tell if you’re moving in the same direction and if you’ll be able to help each other along the way.

Many people don’t ask tough questions, so they waste time with someone who isn’t in it for the same reasons they are (i.e., marriage, kids, commitment).

3. Make a Phone Call

When I was dating, there was a strange sign that someone serious about developing a relationship with me would do: they’d call me on the phone.

Even if you can’t be physically present with others, hearing their voice and exchanging stories verbally builds a stronger connection and demonstrates your commitment to the job.

Texting takes ten seconds; making a phone call takes time to set aside. Make it a priority and tell your partner to do it.

4. Accept the Fact that the Majority of People do not Get What They Want

A harsh reality of life is that sometimes things feel inexplicably suitable for us,

So we must let go of the chance of getting them. No matter how beautiful this individual is or how enthralling their mind is to you, your link with them (if there is one) is not developing into a relationship.

You must move on from this and resume living for yourself, setting goals, and keeping yourself productive.

Lastly, remember that while infatuation can be entertaining at times, it is inevitably fleeting and unsustainable.

You may get swept up in the vortex to the point that you can’t or won’t see who the person is. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Remember, keeping yourself safe from possible heartbreak is always better until you know it’ll work out.

If you’re still unsure what you’re feeling, some time away from the object of your affection can reveal what you need to know.

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Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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