While many think of love in terms of black and white or just clear cut, it really isn’t. Love comes in all different shaped and sizes and not everyone thinks of it in the same way. There are a few different types of love you will experience before you find the one; which stage are you on?
The idea of love is one that is alive and well in the United States today. The 60 Minutes/Vanity Fair poll conducted by CBS.com revealed that 56% of Americans believe in the concept of love at first sight. An idealized romantic gesture, we hold onto the magic of that moment when our eyes first meet, locking in on one another. We dream of meeting that person who can make our heart race and causes us to feel butterflies in our stomach.
The quest to find our soulmate can be long, challenging and overwhelming. With so many people out there, how do you know you have found the one? Unfortunately, this is going to bring you both good news and not so good news… The good news is that your soulmate is out there! However, the less than exciting news, you are likely going to kiss your share of frogs before you find your prince.
Here are the 5 types of love that you will encounter on your journey to find ‘the one’:
1 – Puppy Love/Your First Love
When you find your first love it is a new and exciting experience. With no previous experience in the area of love, we are walking in blind. You are in love, but it’s not with your partner in the way that you should be. Instead, you are in love with the idea of love, dreaming of fairy tales and happily ever afters. Deep down you know that something isn’t quite right, but you are so caught up in the idea of finding your ‘first true love’ that you are willing to overlook the red flags when they come up. Eventually, however, you will outgrow this relationship.
2 – The Toxic Love
As you move onto new loves and new experiences, you will eventually meet this love. The difficult love may seem like an amazing connection at first, someone who seems almost too perfect. In time, however, you will slowly open your eyes to their quirks and flaws. This love will be like a roller coaster, with mind-blowing highs and challenging lows. Throughout the course of this relationship, you will learn a lot about yourself, what you are capable of and what you truly deserve. While it will end in heartbreak, you will be better off for having experienced it.
3 – Habitual Love
Seeking out a love that will provide the stability and security that was lacking during the Difficult Love, you will eventually discover the habitual love. This relationship will reach the stage of discussing your future, making plans and discussing wedding plans. You will notice, however, that in time the passion will slowly fade away. You will keep going through the motions, but it will be out of habit, not because you are genuinely ‘feeling it.’ Plastering on a smile, you will keep pressing forward pretending that everything is okay until one day it just isn’t any longer.
4 – Whirlwind Love
Just as you begin to believe that true passion and romance doesn’t exist in adult relationships, your whirlwind love will come rolling into your life. Sweeping you off your feet, this relationship will be nothing short of romance novel worthy. Strong feelings, grand gestures and mind-blowing romance will convince you that this is the one. Unfortunately, as quickly as this flame was ignited, so too will it be put out. This relationship will come crashing down as quickly as it began leaving you emotional, overwhelmed and slightly confused as to what just happened.
5 – Unconditional Love
If you stick it out through the other 4 types of love, you will find your way to your unconditional love. This is your soulmate, your one true love. Having been hurt by the loves that came before, you may have even given up on the idea of love when your soulmate is brought into your life. Despite having just met, you will feel as though you have known this person your whole life, and you can’t imagine your life without them. After all of your searching, you have finally found ‘the one.’