Unconditional love is so different from what most people know – the essence of true love. And trust me, this is not cliched.
This kind of love exists, and we might feel unconditional love towards someone without being aware of it. Keep reading to understand what does it mean to love someone unconditionally.
What is unconditional love?
If you have been trying to understand unconditional love’s meaning, here is what you need to know.
If you are looking to describe unconditional love, to love unconditionally is to love selflessly without expecting anything in return.
Most people would say that it is a myth and that a love like that does not exist. However, it does happen in reality, in the form of a commitment to someone who may not be perfect.
If you love someone unconditionally, you overlook their flaws and don’t expect any benefits from the relationship. Nothing can stand in the way of a lover who loves with all his heart and cares about the happiness of another person.
What conditional love looks like
Conditional love, as the name suggests, is the opposite of unconditional love. Some people might not even consider conditional love as the feeling of “love” at all. We often think that someone’s love is unconditional, but it often comes with certain expectations or returns that place it more under the category of conditional love.
The truth is, love without conditions is difficult to find. Not because people cannot love unconditionally, but because that is just how the human brain and heart are wired. We want to be loved the way we love, which can give rise to certain expectations.
What conditional love is not – Signs of unconditional love
If you wonder what you feel for someone in your life is unconditional love or not, here are some signs of unconditional love that you need to identify. It is simple – if you feel this way about them, you love them unconditionally.
1. You believe in the good that they possess
It’s easy to look at the negative side of everything, but our heart makes exceptions when it comes to those who matter. That’s why you give second chances. When you know the very worst in someone, but you still believe in the good that they possess, that’s true love.
Your love is so unconditional that you don’t think twice before forgiving them for something they have done. That’s because when love is unconditional, you do not judge or give up on someone you care for.
And unlike how society sees that person, you see beyond the outward flaws and focus on what’s on the inside. That’s what loving someone unconditionally means.
2. It involves sacrifices
Unconditional love is anything but easy. It involves a lot of sacrifices. Loving unconditionally is probably one of the bravest things to do because you never question your decision.
What is unconditional love in a relationship? You are ready to do something for someone, even if that means you lose something precious of your own. It takes courage to sacrifice a desire for a relationship.
Sometimes, you might go as far as taking the blame for it or putting your self-worth and respect at risk. And why do you do it? Only to see them happy.
3. You want the best for them
What is unconditional love? It is wanting to see our loved ones happy. When you love someone unconditionally, you start believing that they deserve only the best. So, you do everything in your ability to get them what they rightfully deserve, according to you.
Loving unconditionally comes with selflessness – you start thinking about how to support your partner. It leaves you with an ultimate desire to see your loved ones flourish and find contentment in what they do.
You love them wholeheartedly and try to share every happiness with them. You are upset when they are not in the best form and happy when they are happy.
4. It is a deep feeling that can’t be seen, only felt
Wholehearted love is not something that can be seen. You simply share your heart with a person and let them bask in the affection you have for them.
You may be shy to the rest of the world, but when it comes to your loved one, you let your guard down and are vulnerable and honest about your feelings.
Even if it’s unrequited, you don’t care because when your love is selfless, you are only concerned about giving and not about receiving.
What is unconditional love? When you experience negative emotions like anger, frustration, or hurt, you continue to love them the same. No hardship can diminish the love you have for them in your heart.
5. You love their imperfections
They may not be perfect to others, but to you, they are. You forgive all their mistakes and accept every flaw. What is unconditional love? To love someone unconditionally means that you acknowledge their mistakes and believe that they can change.
You love things about them that not everyone can see. Usually, it’s extremely hard to forgive someone who caused you pain. But in this case, you let it go.
You open up your heart to the person instead of protecting yourself. No matter what happens, you will find yourself fighting for the relationship.
This is what unconditional love means. Even though it puts you in a vulnerable position and can hurt you, you do not stop loving. You may have unconditional love for your mother, a close friend, a sibling, your baby, or your spouse.
In some cases, it is reciprocated, but it’s a lasting commitment you give to another person at the end of the day.
A commitment to never stop loving him/her, to always think of him/her before yourself, to always be by his/her side no matter what, and to understand him/her in every situation.
This is the beautiful journey of loving unconditionally. This kind of love truly is magical. And worth every little pain it may give you.
Is it possible to love unconditionally?
This can be a tricky question to answer. Now that you understand the feeling of unconditional love more deeply, you might wonder, “Is unconditional love possible?”
The answer to that question has multiple layers. For instance, researchers have pointed out that even the love between parents and children is not exclusively unconditional.
You may never find out if your love for someone is unconditional or not unless there are changes in situations, their personality, or your life phases. Therefore, determining the possibility of unconditional love can be difficult.
To get a clearer idea of the possibility of unconditional love, watch this video.
Is unconditional love healthy?
Unconditional love is healthy. If you do not love people the way they are, without attaching expectations to them, then it may not be love at all in the first place. However, it is crucial to set boundaries for unconditional love, or you could end up doing more harm than good.
Make sure you receive a few basics from the people you love. These include – love, respect, kindness, and safety. Many people might confuse these with expectations, but they are primary factors in building or maintaining a relationship.
Some unconditional love examples with boundaries include –
- “I support you, and I love you. But I think you are making a mistake.”
- “I love you, but I do not think I can afford your expenses any more.”
- “You can take your space if you want, but you should not speak to me this way.”
- “We can talk about why you are mad at me, but it does not mean you can yell at me.”
- “I love you, but you cannot try to threaten me in any way.”
