Ways to tell you're in love

How to Know If You’re in Love: 12 Simple Signals

by Eharmony Editorial Team - May 1, 2018

When it comes to how to know if you’re in love, the signs can range from physical to emotional to somewhere in between: You think about him, and your heart speeds up. You see a jar of peanut butter in the store, and you remember arguing with her about creamy vs crunchy. Your phone chimes with a message from your SO, and you can’t help but smile. In this article, we’ll look at twelve key signs you’re in love and how you can check if it applies to yourself.

1. Your body reacts to them

Your body knows when there’s someone special in your life, and doesn’t hesitate to show it. In addition, if you’re feeling on top of the world, there’s an actual scientific reason for it. Being in love increases the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that increases happiness and pleasure. This explains why people sometimes feel ‘high’ on love, especially when they’re in the throes of a new relationship.

Examples: Sweaty palms, a racing heart, and butterflies in your stomach are all signs you’re falling in love.

Ask yourself: How do I feel around this person? Physically and emotionally?

   2. You can’t stop thinking about them   

How to know if you’re in love? Your significant other keeps wandering into your thoughts. Regardless of whether you mean to be thinking of them or not, you wind up doing so – and often when it’s less than convenient to do so. This isn’t surprising; they are important to you, after all.

Examples: You’re in the supermarket and a jar of pasta sauce reminds you that she makes really good fettucine alfredo, or you’re driving to work when a song comes on that reminds you of him.

Ask yourself: How many times a day does he or she pop into my head?

  3. Being with them feels super easy

The top signs you’re in love? Being with your significant other feels natural, and not like a chore at all. Sure, relationships take work, but being with them doesn’t feel like work at all.

Examples: Going grocery shopping or just hanging out doing nothing is fun because it’s with them. You call, intending a quick five-minute chat … and three hours later you’re still on the phone.

Ask yourself: Is just spending time with this person fun and does it make me happy?

  4. You don’t care about your ex anymore

To paraphrase the inimitable Taylor Swift… you forgot that they existed. You’re so busy making memories with your new partner that you don’t have the time, bad feeling or interest for your ex.

Examples: Your ex blows back into your life and while it might sting a little bit? You can shrug it off like it’s no big deal. Even posts about the clearly inferior model they replaced you with don’t phase you.

Ask yourself: When was the last time I thought about my ex?

  5. You’re okay with making small sacrifices for them

When it comes to how to know if you’re in love, a clear signal is how your priorities shift when you’re in love with someone. You become a lot more altruistic, and take their well-being into account as well as yours when making a decision. Not only that, you’re willing to change plans if it means making their lives a little easier.

Examples: You let them have the last brownie bite even though you love it too, or you don’t hesitate to postpone dinner plans to take care of them when they’re sick.

Ask yourself: What am I willing to do to take care of my partner?

  6. You’re comfortable being just you around them 

Another of the most important signs you’re in love? You’ve stopped trying to constantly impress your partner, or worry that unless you put your best foot forward all the time, you’re going to lose them. By now, you two know each other, not just superficially, which means that you can let your quirks show without worrying they’ll send your partner running for the hills.

Examples: You let yourself sing off-key while cooking her dinner, or you show him your collection of carefully repainted My Little Ponies.

Ask yourself: Can I be myself around this person and not worry they’ll laugh?

  7. You can’t stop talking about them

Your friends and family are at the good natured teasing stage with how much you talk about your significant other. You mention them often and find ways to bring them up, even if the conversation is about something completely different. You do try to curb yourself, but the temptation to gush is strong.

Examples: You can’t help how cute your partner is, or how intelligent, or how cool the thing they did at work last week was. And people should know!

Ask yourself: How many times did I mention my partner in the last hour?

  8. Thinking about the future with them seems natural

One of the major signs you’re in love? Your significant other becomes part of your plans for the future. Even before any concrete plans or decisions are made, it feels natural to assume they’ll be part of what’s going on in your life three months or even a year from now.

Examples: You assume they’’ll be your date for a trip to the Seychelles next year. Or you even catch yourself thinking ‘when we’re married’ or ‘when we have kids…’

Ask yourself: Do I have space for this person in my life long-term?

  9. You want to collect memories with them   

One of the nicest parts of having a significant other is making memories with them. How to know if you’re in love with your partner? You actually look forward to doing things – like seeing new places, or trying a new restaurant – in part to see their reactions. You don’t even mind re-doing something you’ve already done before so you can intensify the experience with them.

Examples: You plan new experiences just so you can share them with your SO. Or you happily go to a restaurant you’ve been to but they haven’t.

Ask yourself: What do I enjoy more, the thing or my partner’s presence?

  10. You want to introduce them to your family and friends

When it comes to long-term connection, you’re not dating the person, you’re also dating their family, to an extent. So, when it comes to how to know if you’re in love with someone, wanting your family and friends to get to know them is an important milestone in your relationship.

Examples: You plan to invite your partner to a holiday dinner with your family, or to board game night so your friends can meet them.

Ask yourself: Can I see my partner getting along with my family and friends?

  11. You do things you wouldn’t otherwise just to be with them

We all have our likes and turn offs, it’s only natural. But how to know if you’re in love finds an answer, when you bring yourself to do something you wouldn’t normally do, or even actively dislike. That’s cause you want to spend time with your partner. While you shouldn’t ignore your own preferences all the time, it’s good to put your partner above your feelings every so often.

Examples: You actually don’t like golf but are spending the afternoon letting them teach you. Or you let yourself in to go to a museum although you’d much rather be at the mall.

Ask yourself: Would I do this if my partner didn’t love it?

  12. They’re your person

As a relationship grows and deepens, you will grow closer and want to share things with each other – that’s what love is. One of the most important indications you’re in love is wanting to share everything with your partner. Whether it’s good news, bad news, or simply something inconsequential you wanted them to know it.

Examples: They’re the first person you want to text or call, whether it’s a promotion at work, a loved one falling ill, or seeing a pretty bird on your walk to the store.

Find Real Love Now!

How to know if you’re in love? You just feel it and thus confirm these signales

It can be easy to mix the two, but the difference between infatuation and love is pretty clear. With these signs it’s a lot easier to recognize and be aware of it. Haven’t meant that special someone who makes your heart race and you can’t stop thinking about yet? That’s what eharmony with its extensive dating pool and unique Compatibility Matching System is for.  So sign up today and find real love for the real you!

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