Love... it’s a word that’s constantly thrown around.
Many sing about it, many write about it and there are entire industries that make millions from it. Yeah, that’s right, we’re calling out those who triple their prices every time they hear it’s for a wedding... But what actually is love?
With Valentine’s Day hot on our heels, we’ve been thinking about love a lot. And sometimes to the point where we feel overwhelmed. It's actually quite difficult to describe feelings.
Love is as vital as oxygen yet it’s something that a lot of us struggle to define. What is love? And how does the everyday person feel it and express it?
We asked people from all walks of life for their thoughts on love and here is what they said:
Without looking up a definition, what does “love” mean to you?
“Wanting to be with someone no matter what is going on - good, bad or ugly”
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“Fully accepting someone for all they are and always wanting the best for them”
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“Love is sharing your being with others to fulfil their needs and they fill you with joy and energy.”
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“Constant and unconditional support.”
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“My family.”
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“To me, love means unconditional positive regard.”
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“There’s a lot of different types of love, but I’d describe it as when you feel safe to be yourself around someone. No facades, just you. When someone accepts you for that, that’s special."
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“Love is sharing and caring. I'd love to share good food with people I love, go to a nice place together to share good experiences and build happy memories together. I am also a very caring person to people who I love. I message them to check in on them from time to time, and make sure to have enough supply of good food for when they are unwell. Also I cry together when my good friends go through difficult times.”
What makes you feel loved? Can you describe a specific time or situation where you have felt loved?
“I feel loved when people make time for me and it feels personal and special. I always feel loved when my dog cuddles up to me on the couch and nestles his head into me. His love is so consistent and unconditional.”
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“I feel loved every time I come home from work and see my wife and kids.”
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“I feel loved with a kiss and a cuddle. This happens each morning and night with my partner”
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“I feel loved when I think someone is listening to me and sees me for who I am, warts and all.”
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“It’s the little things - picking up my favourite snack or a cheeky bum squeeze while I’m doing the washing up.”
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“When I’m around my family”
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“The complete selflessness of my wife is the perfect case study for love. She always wants me to have the best and be my best, and does everything she can to help me achieve that. The way she expresses that best is through cooking. She is food obsessed, but if there are only a couple of mouthfuls left, she will want me to have it, and will not budge on it.”
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“I feel loved by small gestures like gentle kisses on my forehead in the morning when I struggle to wake up willingly (sometimes forced wake ups too), stealing one bite of an ice cream, random 'hi' messages from friends who I haven't spoken to for a while, or the winter socks that my mum bought for me because she knows that I have cold feet.”
How do you show others that you love them?
“Food is my love language. If I've cooked you a meal, it means I love you!”
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“I am a doer, I show love by serving people and helping them wherever I can”
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“I don’t think I am always good at this. Giving people time, listening and being in the moment is really important though. I find that walks together are a really good way to do this. It means your eyes are away from phones and there are no distractions, it’s just you and them.”
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“Food! Making their favourite meals, having good snacks on hand and a cup of tea in bed.”
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“Giving my loved ones my time”
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“I do all I can to make sure my loved ones are happy and have everything they need”
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“I genuinely listen to people who I love, so I can understand what they like, and how they feel. Also, let them know I am always there for them by talking to them regularly, acknowledging their milestones, and holding hands together when they walk through a dark tunnel.”
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“I show others I love them by sharing a meal with them, either at a restaurant/ cafe or making them something delicious to satisfy them after a long day.”
...and here's one more way to tell the important humans in your life that you love them - send them a card from the Unseasoned Greetings range:
- make a friend feel appreciated
- make someone close to you feel supported
- make your partner feel loved
- boost a friend's mood
- explore the romance/flirting range
