What does love really mean?
Take the fivelove languages, for example.
Everyone has their own way of giving and receiving love, especially with different people.
Below are the eight types of love described in the Greek language and how to navigate each one.
RELATED STORY:What Does Love Actually Feel Like?
It describes the intoxicating and thrilling emotions that the initialstages of a relationshipcan induce.
Hallett adds, “Sexual interest, lust, or passion don’t necessarily evolve into lastingcompassionate love.”
Over time, this throw in of love will often transition into another typeor simply fade away.
These are couples who find a way to make it work over time.
It often involves laughing, teasing, and feeling giddy around a person.
It’s very childlike in that way, though it can certainly evolve.
Sometimes there’s great joy and pleasure in just enjoying the flirtation and the will-we-or-won’t-we game.
Hallett describes this love as a compassionate love for everyone, also known as universal loving-kindness.
It’s a very pure and conscious love.
It’s similar to what we sometimes refer to asunconditional love.
A tip for agape:
Feeling that agape flowing through your veins?
Practice aloving-kindness meditation, and lean into work that allows you to give back and help others.
Philia (deep friendship)
Philia is the love that develops over adeep, long-lasting friendship.
And according to Hallett, these friendships can be just as impactful as romantic relationships.
Philautia (self-love)
Philautia has actually been having a bit of a moment latelyand rightly so!
This love is all about self-love and self-compassion.
More love of self equals more love to offer.
you might’t pour from an empty cup, after all.
(Here are some tangibleways to practice self-love.)
It differs from philia in the way that it’s reinforced by blood, early memories, and familiarity.
There’s a reason people say “friends are the family you choose.”
Storge is compassionate, protective, and deeply rooted in memory.
A tip for storge:
Work tostrengthen your relationship with family membersand forgive any past grievances.
Let your partner know you’re struggling with it and venture to pinpoint what needs to change.
(Here’s more onhow to stop being codependent.)
RELATED STORY:How Long Does It Take To Fall In Love?
What Research Says
How can I tell which key in of love I have?
Be honest with yourself: Is it romantic, selfless, friendly, or playful?
Another way to tellwhich kind of love you’re experiencingis to consider how long you’ve known each other.
Importantly, you’re free to absolutely feel a combination of different loves for different people.
“In the brain, these two states light up in different but overlapping areas.”
