When it comes to figuring out whether it’s love or just lust between you and someone else, the feelings can be confusing. Love and lust often feel intense, but they come from very different places and lead to very different outcomes.
Lust
Lust is all about the physical attraction and desire. It’s the feeling you get when you can’t stop thinking about being close to someone, touching them, kissing them, or more. Lust is fueled by your body’s chemistry, like the rush of adrenaline when you’re near them. When it’s lust, the focus is often on how the person looks or how they make you feel physically. It’s that immediate spark that makes you want to be close to them right away. Lust can be exciting, but it tends to be more about the surface level. It’s intense, but it doesn’t always last, especially when the physical attraction starts to fade.
Love
Love, on the other hand, goes much deeper. When it’s love, you care about the person’s well-being, their dreams, and their happiness, not just how they look or how they make you feel in the moment. Love grows over time, as you get to know someone on a deeper level. It’s about supporting each other, being there in both the good and bad times, and wanting to build something long-term together. Love isn’t just about the butterflies in your stomach; it’s about a genuine connection where you’re interested in their thoughts, feelings, and the life you can build together. Love doesn’t just fade when the excitement wears off; it’s the steady foundation that can last a lifetime.
But here’s the tricky part: love and lust often overlap, especially at the beginning of a relationship. It’s completely normal to feel both. However, as time goes on, love will show itself through trust, respect, and the desire to make the relationship work, even when things get tough. Lust, on the other hand, might start to fade if there’s no deeper connection holding you together.
If you’re trying to figure out whether what you’re feeling is love or lust, ask yourself some questions. Are you interested in this person’s life and feelings beyond the physical? Do you see a future with them? Do you want to support them and see them happy, even if it means sacrificing your desires sometimes? If the answer is yes, it’s likely love. But if your thoughts are mostly about how they look or the chemistry you have, it might be more about lust.
Remember, both love and lust have their place in relationships, but knowing the difference can help you understand where things are headed and what you want. Love is what will carry you through the ups and downs, while lust is more like a flame that burns bright but can go out quickly if there’s nothing deeper to keep it alive.
