What Is True Love? 16 Characteristics Of Real Love

What is true love? Have we not found ourselves wondering the same at various stages of our lives? The truth is, love can look like different things to different people. “I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect and I loved you even more.” This quote by Angelita Lim says a lot about what being in love can be like for some people. But, defining the characteristics of real love can be difficult because it takes many forms. This pure and innocent bond is formed with your nearest and dearest ones. Sadly, we seem to have lost the meaning of this emotion in recent times. So many people are now so out of touch with themselves that they confuse negative emotions like possessiveness and jealousy with love. The meaning of genuine love lies beyond such emotions. True love and affection are life-changing experiences for anyone who has experienced them. There is no limit to what they can do for your soul, mind, and body. If you are confused about whether a deep-seated affection for someone is love, we have you covered! Take a look at this list to understand what true love means. Keep scrolling!

What Is True Love?

True love is often described as an enduring bond built on deep emotional connection, and unwavering commitment. But as we said earlier, different people can experience love differently.

For instance, Marie, a lifestyle blogger, views self-love in the face of adversity as the most powerful type of love. She writes in one of her posts, “When you can love yourself when your life is in the trenches and you feel flat out, that’s a love like no other. That’s a love that will sustain and endure. That’s the love that will last forever. And, while I haven’t found a lasting love with a partner, I have found a lasting love with myself, and that, I’ve learned, is the most vital love of all (i).”

So, while romantic ideals have long been explored in various ways in literature and philosophy, psychological research provides a more structured understanding of love. 

In his book, The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman emphasizes that true love is not just about passion but about learning how to express care in ways that genuinely reach a partner (1). Similarly, Robert Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love identifies intimacy, passion, and commitment as the core components of lasting love (2).

Interestingly, it seems that love is beyond a strong and passionate emotion, and is rather measured by the effort one makes and their willingness to express those emotions. In many ways, our personal histories can play a part in how we give and receive love. Studies in attachment theory, such as those by John Bowlby, further reveal that early experiences shape our ability to form and maintain deep connections (3). These things add to the complexity of the concept of love. It is not just a feeling but an active process of working towards growth and emotional security.

However, for the sake of a general understanding, we can explore the potential features of an ideal love. Keep reading. 

1. Love Is Unconditional

Though it is pretty self-explanatory, few people truly understand just what unconditional love really means. True love is always unconditional and selfless. When you love a person completely without expecting anything from them, it is unconditional love. In fact, you may not even expect love and attention from them in return. You are simply grateful to the universe for their presence in your life. It enables a strong bond that withstands outside influences, provides a safe space for authenticity, and nurtures a deeper, soulful connection.

To cultivate unconditional love in a relationship:

• Focus on practicing empathy and patience. 
• Accept your partner as they are rather than trying to change them. 
• Show appreciation through selfless acts without expecting anything in return. 
• Set healthy boundaries to ensure that unconditional love does not lead to self-sacrifice or imbalance.

2. Love Means Putting The Other Person’s Needs Before Your Own

While people may at times behave inherently selfish to survive in this difficult world, this does not serve you well where love is concerned. If you don’t instinctively feel like putting the other person before you, it is a relationship of convenience, not love. When you fall in true love, you are ready to sacrifice and genuinely care about the other person’s happiness even more than your own and will go to any lengths to make them feel valued.

To practice this kind of love in a healthy way: 

• Start by actively listening to your partner’s needs and supporting them without keeping score. 
• Prioritize their happiness in everyday actions, whether it is through small gestures or being there during difficult times. 
• Maintain a balance, ensuring that your own well-being is not neglected in the process.

3. Love Means Never Having To Be Bound By Expectations

We all want others to behave as we expect them to. We want them to be more caring, compassionate, affectionate, outgoing, smarter, ambitious, or attentive. But all of these are expectations. Expectations are nothing but your requirements for loving someone, which is contrary to what true love is. Real love has no expectations. The focus is on loving them, and that is enough for you.

To experience love without expectations:

• Practice acceptance and appreciation for your partner as they are. 
• Shift your focus from what they should do to what you can give freely.
• Communicate openly about needs without demanding change, and recognize that true connection comes from understanding, not control.

4. Love Means Letting Go Gracefully

Love does not require possession and has no room for jealousy. It allows people to be free. It does not require holding on tightly and crushing a person’s wings to keep them close. True love does not want to own but to nurture.

To enjoy more emotional stability in your relationship, you need to:

• Support your partner’s individuality, encouraging their growth without fear of losing them. 
• Let go of control and attachment by focusing on shared happiness rather than possession. 
• If a relationship must end, accept it with grace, knowing that love is not about holding on but about wishing the best for each other, even from a distance.

5. Love Is Synonymous With Empathy

Empathy is understanding a situation from another person’s point of view. Love has deep empathy. If you truly love someone, hurting them will practically crush you. You can’t bear the thought of them being sad or hurt. You want them to feel good and be happy and prosperous.

To be a more empathetic partner:

• Practice active listening without interrupting or judging. 
• Put yourself in your partner’s shoes and acknowledge their emotions, even if you do not fully understand them. 
• Show compassion through small, thoughtful actions that ease their burdens.
• Focus on understanding rather than winning when conflicts arise. Genuine empathy strengthens emotional connection and builds a love that feels safe and supportive.

6. Love Means Being A Part Of A Team

True love is built on the most important things in a relationship, such as trust, respect, loyalty, and communication. True love is nothing but perfect teamwork. You need to know when to take control and when to fall back and allow your partner to take over.

When two people truly love each other, their strengths (and weaknesses) come together and help them work as a team. They are supportive and respectful and know when to be quiet and when to say the things that must be said. They aim to work together like a perfectly tuned instrument to achieve their goals.

To become a team as a couple:

• Learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses, stepping up when needed and allowing your partner to do the same. 
• Support each other’s goals and decisions, and celebrate wins together. 
• Most importantly, maintain mutual respect, as true teamwork thrives when both people feel equally important and appreciated.

7. Love Makes You Feel Content, Not Anxious

Many people think being in a relationship equals love, but sadly, that is not the case. Just because you are in a relationship does not necessarily mean there is true love between you two. Recognizing the signs of a committed relationship can help you identify if you and your partner truly love each other. One needs to be trustworthy and loyal towards the commitment. It is not love if there is constant fighting, jealousy, possessiveness, or verbal, emotional, or physical abuse.

To feel assured and secure in your love life:

• Communicate openly about your feelings and concerns instead of letting them fester. 
• Set healthy boundaries to ensure respect and mutual understanding. 
• Pay attention to how your relationship makes you feel; love should bring peace, not constant stress. 
• Address any persistent issues like jealousy or control early, and do not be afraid to walk away from relationships that harm your well-being.

Quick Tip

It is important to value intimacy and spend quality time together. Take up a new activity, take a walk, and work out together because making memories make you feel content with your partner.

8. Love Understands And Accepts Differences

True love allows you to open up to your partner and results in personal and spiritual growth. It also comes with a great degree of vulnerability. However, this natural process is essential for getting closer to your true self. Every living thing needs to grow to survive, including plants, animals, and human beings. It promotes natural growth that fills our life with happiness and fearlessness.

To nurture a love that embraces differences:

• Practice open-mindedness and patience in your relationship. 
• Accept that you and your partner will not always see things the same way, and that is okay. 
• Appreciate their unique perspective and learn from it instead of trying to change them. 
• Encourage each other’s personal growth by offering support rather than judgment.

9. Love Means Growing Together

True love results in personal and spiritual growth. It is a natural process essential for getting closer to your true self. Every living thing needs to grow to survive, including plants, animals, and human beings. It promotes natural growth that fills our life with happiness and fearlessness.

To grow together in love:

• Encourage each other’s personal development and celebrate individual achievements. 
• Have open conversations about goals and values, ensuring you are evolving in the same direction. A strong relationship thrives when both partners continue learning and inspiring each other to become the best versions of themselves.

10. Love Does Not Recognize Ego

Where there is love, there is no ego. It is not about the fights – every couple fights, whether they are in love or not. It is about making up. It is about forgiveness and finding it hard to be apart from each other, no matter who is at fault. It is about fighting for each other, not against each other.

To keep ego out of love:

• Focus on resolving conflicts with understanding rather than pride. 
• Apologize when necessary, even if it feels difficult, and prioritize the relationship over proving yourself right. 
• Practice active listening to truly hear your partner’s perspective without defensiveness. 
• Approach disagreements as a team, working toward solutions rather than letting ego create distance between you.

11. Love Means Having Mutual Respect

To sustain true love, it is essential to have genuine respect for each other . Otherwise, you may become judgmental and dissatisfied. Mutual respect can only develop from giving each other space for personal growth and not crossing the line, no matter what happens.

To develop mutual respect:

• Acknowledge your partner’s thoughts, feelings, and boundaries without dismissing or belittling them. 
• Support their individuality by allowing space for personal interests and growth.
• Communicate disagreements calmly rather than resorting to criticism. A relationship built on respect thrives when both partners feel valued and appreciated.

Quick Tip

Communication is vital in a relationship. Listening to each other, compromising, having patience, and respecting each other’s space helps to make a healthy relationship.

12. Love Heals

Love heals. No matter how deeply you have been hurt, the power of true love can heal you and help you find happiness again (4). Love makes you feel safe and protected. You feel at peace with yourself and the world. When you are in love, you feel at home with your loved one, no matter where you are.

To embrace love’s healing power:

• Allow yourself to be vulnerable and open to trust again. 
• Surround yourself with kindness and patience, both from your partner and within yourself. True healing happens when love is nurtured with care.

13. Love Provides Companionship

As humans, we seek companionship and support from our partners. Lovers stay by each other’s sides no matter what and through thick and thin – for life. True love celebrates the good times and provides a shoulder to cry on during the bad times.

You find true love when you are at peace with yourself. You can’t find love or happiness by chasing people or emotionally blackmailing them to be with you. It comes when you are completely comfortable in your skin and express gratitude for the little things in life.

To build strong companionship in love:

• Prioritize emotional availability and consistency. 
• Be present for your partner, whether in moments of joy or hardship. 
• Build a deep connection by sharing experiences, having meaningful conversations, and creating memories together. 
• Most importantly, develop self-love first. True companionship thrives when both people are secure in themselves and choose to stand by each other out of genuine affection, not dependency.

14. Love Is Selflessness

Love is not about grand gestures or self-sacrifice; it is about the daily act of putting your partner’s needs and happiness before your own. It involves acts of kindness and compromise, where individuals find joy in the happiness of their partner. This does not mean that you become a doormat. Selflessness in love is about finding a balance, a harmonious blend of “me” and “we.” It is about celebrating individual dreams while nurturing shared aspirations.

To eliminate selfishness in your love:

• Focus on small, thoughtful gestures that show care and understanding. 
• Prioritize your partner’s happiness without neglecting your own needs, ensuring a healthy balance between giving and receiving. 
• Compromise with an open heart, making decisions that benefit both of you rather than just one. 

15. Love Means Having Shared Values

Sharing values means sharing the fundamental guiding principles that define how you navigate life together. They are beliefs about honesty, integrity, kindness, and the things that truly matter in the grand scheme of existence. These values also provide a framework for navigating disagreements, making decisions, and acting as a source of unwavering support during hard times.

To build a relationship based on shared values:

• Have open discussions about what truly matters to both of you. 
• Align your long-term goals and ensure your core beliefs complement each other.
• When disagreements arise, use these shared values as a foundation for resolution rather than division.

16. Love Means Having A Strong Emotional Connection

True love is defined by a profound emotional connection that goes beyond mere physical attraction or an obsessive infatuation. This connection builds trust, respect, and support, helping partners face life’s challenges together. Such a connection is nurtured when partners allow each other a safe and non-judgemental space and offer empathy. Recognizing this depth in connection is key to fostering true love in a relationship.

To strengthen the emotional connection in your love life:

• Show consistent support through both words and actions, reassuring your partner that they can rely on you. 
• Create a judgment-free space where vulnerability is welcomed, allowing both of you to express fears and emotions openly. A true connection grows when both partners invest in understanding and uplifting each other every day.

Key Takeaways

• True love can be life-changing and enriching for your soul.
• Real love does not judge someone just because they are different – it celebrates their uniqueness.
• True love is unconditional – it has no expectations, makes you feel content, and helps you heal and grow.

Infographic: Top 5 Characteristics Of True Love

True love tends to be magical yet mystical that none can take away from you at any cost. It starts with feeling butterflies in your stomach and ends with having intense feelings for your partner. It can take your breath away if you also experience some beautiful features of true love. You may be confused about the signs, but you are at the right place.

Check out the infographic below to know the top 5 features of true love that you can experience for your loved one. You can get a clear confirmation about your feelings after going through these definite features.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a man fall deeply in love with a woman?

Emotional security, a sense of attachment, and support from a woman make the man fall for that woman. A man appreciates a considerate woman and may get attracted to those with shared values. However, these preferences may vary from person to person.

What is love in one word?

There are many words synonymous with love, but one word that describes love perfectly is sacrifice.

What is love in life?

Love means having a companion, partner, or a special person in your life who adores you and is thankful for your existence.

What role does trust play in real love, and how can I build and maintain trust in a relationship?

Trust plays an important role in love as it shows that you have confidence in your love and relationship. You and your partner are loyal to each other. To maintain this trust it is necessary to be open and honest, communicate, set boundaries, have mutual respect, and give each other enough space to grow.

What are some of the challenges that can arise in a relationship based on real love, and how can they be overcome?

Some of the challenges that can arise in a relationship such as expectations, finances, and loss of intimacy. To overcome these problems, you should establish healthy communication, try to take some time out of your busy schedule, and spend quality time and share your burdens together.

Is it possible to experience real love more than once in a lifetime, or is it a once-in-a-lifetime experience?

It is definitely possible to experience real love more than once in a lifetime. Humans are capable of being attracted to multiple partners in their lifetime and this attraction can easily evolve into love.

How can I nurture true love in my relationship?

Practicing open communication, showing empathy, prioritizing your partner’s needs, offering unconditional support, and showing up for them are a few ways to nurture true love in your relationship. Even when you do not see eye-to-eye, try to be understanding, respect your partner’s thoughts, and agree to disagree. Create a safe, trusting space together where both can grow and be authentic.

Illustration: What Is True Love? 15 Characteristics Of Real Love

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Unveil the secrets of true love in this captivating video and explore the fundamental traits that distinguish it from superficial connections. Witness the power of loyalty, vulnerability, and unconditional acceptance that embody the essence of genuine love.

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Sarah KenvilleMA (Marriage and Family Therapy)

     

Sarah Kenville has a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and a law degree. She has 8 years of experience and offers premarital counseling and relationship coaching to dating, engaged, newlywed, and same-sex couples.

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Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Sneha holds a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad and a professional Relationship Coach diploma. With over four years of experience in writing, she specializes in crafting insightful articles on relationships and lifestyle.

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Subhrojyoti MukherjeeAssociate Editor

Subhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He has a master’s degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata, and has also done a post-graduate certificate course in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

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Gracia Odile is a teacher-turned-beauty and lifestyle writer with three years of professional experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Stephen’s College, a Master’s in Anthropology from the University of Madras, and a degree in education from GGSIPU.

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