Are You in Love or Just Crushing Hard?
You've got the checklist of symptoms. Butterflies in your stomach. A racing heart. A permanent smile on your face. What does this mean? Are you in love or is it just a hardcore crush?
(Tangled via Walt Disney Animation Studios)
In my experience, through my teens and my twenties, I can honestly say I don't know if I've ever been in love. I've loved, and I've had crushes, but to be in love is a whole different ball game. Here is what I think deciphers between love or a crush.
1. Your Relationship Is Simple
People say love is complicated, but I don't truly believe that. Life isn't always perfect, nor is a relationship, but there shouldn't be drama. At the end of the day it should be the utmost heart-pumping love between two people and no disagreement should overpower that feeling.
2. Your Feelings Are Equal
Love should always be equal. It should be a give and take from both sides of the relationship. If you find yourself giving more than receiving, it most likely isn't love.
(via Shutterstock)
3. You Don't Feel Like You Need This Person to Complete You
When you're in love, you shouldn't need your partner to complete you. You and your partner should support each other and lift each other up, but you should feel so complete and confident with yourself that you choose to love your partner for being the exact same way. When you experience a crush, your whole life seems to revolve around what that person is doing or when that person is going to want to see you next. Love should never be a need. It should be an extension of who you already are.
4. You Feel It in Your Soul
Initially, there is the physical attraction to someone, followed by attraction to their personality, and that's about where the crush level stays. When you start to feel a soul connection and feel like that person truly understands you better than anyone else, that's a major sign of real love.
(via Shutterstock)
5. You're in It for the Long Haul
For a crush, you will absolutely want to commit, but most likely for all the wrong reasons. Simply just crushing means you're likely blinded to the person's imperfections. When you're in love, you notice all of their imperfections but still want to commit to them regardless.
If you're dealing with a recent break up click HERE to find out how I got over a broken heart.