Being in love ≠ Staying in love

Love isn’t transactional. But at some point in our lives, we might have gotten angry or sad towards our loved ones for not reciprocating the love we showed them or for not accepting our decisions. Because at a deeper level, we want love to be transactional. When it comes to love, we are a tiny bit selfish. We want to feel good, just like we make our loved ones feel good.

The most important part of being in love is staying in love. And staying in love is all about listening and learning about your partner.

We should understand if we’re pressuring them or overwhelming them with demands in the name of love. We should realize whether we’re setting boundaries for “their own good”. We should recall if we’re doing what’s best for them without asking them first. Remember, these actions won’t bring them closer. Instead, they will drive them away from you.

In love, you can’t expect the other person to sacrifice their self and agree to your demands just because they love you. Love is about harmony, finding common ground, trust, and respect.

So, what should you do? A big portion of staying in love is listening to your loved one. Because most of the time, all you have to do is listen to your partner to understand what they want. The other portions are respecting them, staying away from their personal space, and being there for them no matter what.

And if the other person doesn’t reciprocate this, don’t worry. Your job is to give, listen, and be there. Love will take care of the rest.