While the definition of true love can vary widely, healthy love often involves respect, trust, honesty, communication, compatibility, and understanding. You might find true love by looking for partnership, being yourself, taking things slowly, maintaining an open mind, taking care of yourself, and focusing on effective communication. If you’re experiencing difficulty in your quest for true love, speaking with a licensed therapist may be helpful. What is true love? True love can be a concept with many interpretations. The idea that real love can mean something different to everyone and remain true can be a valid point that supports the idea that no two stories of love are exactly alike. Despite its complexity, true love can capture a universal sentiment that has inspired a sense of wonder for a large part of human history, enduring in nearly every culture around the world and throughout time. What constitutes real love for one person may not perfectly copy what others experience, but there can be an inherent benefit of connection in our lives no matter how it is ultimately achieved. In general, true love can be about accepting understanding for every unique relationship, regardless of its expressions and differences.
Real love in popular culture Popular culture often presents us with an idealized version of true love, in many cases showing that true love can only be achieved if you finally find that “one right person.” The relationships we see in movies and television shows are typically passionate, perfectly timed, and without a hint of conflict or disagreement. However, this often contributes to an unrealistic expectation that these relationships can be replicated in our lives. Each person may experience true love or feel love uniquely; no two relationships may manifest in the same way. Similar misrepresentations may be provided by people who consider themselves “relationship experts.” It can be a good idea not to take any advice you hear from someone without formal training or licensure. This doesn’t necessarily mean these people won’t be able to help you identify some red flags, but it's possible they may be operating off of the stereotypes we often see in popular culture. Comparing our experiences to the ones we see popularized can be damaging if those comparisons lead to feelings of inadequacy. All types of relationships usually require work from both parties. In general, effort must be put in for a bond to form and for partners to remain committed and connected. What to look for when looking for true affection When searching for true love, one may look for selflessness, trustworthiness, and genuine connection. You may also want to look for someone who gets along with the people in your life. In many cases, your friends and family members can be good judges of a potential partner’s character. True love sometimes means accepting each other’s flaws and recognizing strengths in one another. It may require patience and understanding rather than an expectation of perfection. Every person may have individual experiences of unconditional love and attachment. It can be wrong to pressure yourself to find true love if you have yet to experience a genuine connection with another person or feel a sense of comfort with them. Who you choose may depend on your individual needs and sensibilities. No two people may develop relationships simultaneously, so although it might be challenging not to compare yourself with those around you, perhaps try to shift your focus instead to identifying your own emotional needs and how you feel. These needs may cover a range of topics. For example, you may want someone to practice the same faith as you do or make a similar amount of money. Ultimately, what may be considered a good love life typically comes when we open ourselves up to love and feel loved and seize the right moment with courage and confidence. Patience can be critical.