Many people believe that a crush is love, but they often end up hurt, confused, or stuck in a short-lived relationship.
When you’re in a new relationship, you might feel strong feelings that last a long time. But are they really in love?
When you’re in love, your heart races, you think about them, and you want them. What happens when the fun ends? Will the link strengthen or will you cease caring? Mistaking a crush for love can hurt a heart and disappoint.
Knowing the main differences between love and lust can help you make better choices about relationships.
Let’s examine what sets them apart, the key signs to look for, and how to distinguish between them.
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What is Infatuation?
A strong but short-lived love for someone is called an infatuation. Physical appeal, idealization, and obsession are what drive it instead of a strong emotional bond.
When someone is in love, they often don’t see their flaws and only think about how great it is to be with that person.
Signs of Infatuation:
- Instant attraction: You feel a spark or energy right away.
- Near-obsessive thoughts: You think about them constantly.
- Idealization: You don’t see their flaws because you think they are perfect.
- Fast-paced emotions: Emotions come on quickly and strongly.
- Dependency: Their approval and care make you feel good.
- Deep connections aren’t being made: conversations are mostly about surface-level issues instead of deep ones.
- Short-lived: The link gets weaker after the excitement wears off.
It can be exciting to be in love, but it’s not the basis for a good, long-lasting relationship.
What is Love?
Love is a strong tie between two people that is based on trust, respect, and understanding.
When two people fall in love, it takes time, patience, commitment, and understanding of each other’s flaws.
Signs of Love:
- Gradual growth: Emotions change over time, not all at once.
- Emotional connection: You really get each other and help each other out.
- Commitment: You put their health and happiness first, even when things are hard.
- Respect each other: You value their thoughts, feelings, and uniqueness.
- Trust and safety: The friendship makes you feel safe and sure of yourself.
- Long-lasting: Love lasts even after the excitement of the beginning wears off.
Love is more than just desire; it’s also a long-term commitment and an emotional link.
Key Differences Between Love and Infatuation
| Aspect | Love | Infatuation |
| Development | Grows Slowly | Develops Quickly |
| Emotional Depth | Deep and Meaningful | Surface Level and Intense |
| Acceptance | Embraces Flaws | Ignores Flaws Initially |
| Commitment | Lasts through ups and downs | Fades when excitement lessens |
| Security | Provide Stability and Trust | Creates Security and Obsession |
| Communication | Open and Honest | Often Idealized or Avoidant |
| Focus | About Giving and Mutual Growth | Self-Centered |
How to Move from Infatuation to Love
If you’re in love but want to build a real connection, here are some things to think about:
1. Get to know the person well.
- Don’t get overly emotional too quickly.
- Look at their real personality, not just how attractive they are.
2. Pay attention to emotional connections
- Talk about your beliefs, ideals, and goals deeply.
- Find out about the past, hopes, and fears of each other.
3. Accept the flaws they have
- Love doesn’t look up to perfection; it accepts flaws.
- Accept that people are different and learn to value them.
4. Get people to trust and feel safe
- Honesty, respect, and support are the building blocks of a loving friendship.
- Stay away from control and possessiveness.
5. Look at how they treat other people.
- Kindness, understanding, and honesty show what kind of person someone is.
- It says a lot about how they treat their family and friends.
6. Check to see if the feelings last longer
- Love lasts even after the thrill wears off.
- If the spark of interest fades after the honeymoon period, it was probably just a crush.
Final Thoughts
At first glance, love and infatuation may look a lot alike, but they are actually very different. Love is deep and lasts a long time, while infatuation is exciting but short-lived.
If you know what to look for, you can keep your relationships strong and healthy. When you feel attracted to someone, ask yourself if it’s just excitement or if there’s something deeper going on.
Being aware of this difference can help you find love that lasts a lifetime.
sources: Love Calculator
