There are so many types of love, and even if you may feel convinced that you know how to differentiate among the different types of love, you may still find yourself feeling confused sometimes.
It is important to know though that you can love multiple people in completely unique ways. Maybe on the surface, it can look like the only difference between romantic love and platonic love is the lack of physical intimacy but it is deeper than that.
[bctt tweet=”Maybe on the surface, it can look like the only difference between romantic love and platonic love is the lack of physical intimacy but it is deeper than that.” username=”Sidomex”]
What is platonic love anyway?
Platonic love is essentially love that does not involve any sexual feelings of any kind. It’s the love that you’ve felt for your best friend of sixteen years that makes you squeeze your face in disgust at the mere mention of anything romantic happening between you two.
Platonic love is usually long-lasting and enduring so that while you can fight with your friend for weeks or months, you both know that neither of you is replaceable in each other’s lives.
And what is romantic love?
Romantic love, on the other hand, is brain-scrambling. It is the result of our natural instinct as human beings to find partners and procreate.
[bctt tweet=”Romantic love, on the other hand, is brain-scrambling. It is the result of our natural instinct as human beings to find partners and procreate.” username=”Sidomex”]
Romantic love is a strong attraction towards another person that keeps us obsessively thinking about them and wanting to be with them.
Most successful marriages often combine romantic love with platonic love.
However, things are so much deeper than that. Here are five ways you can be absolutely sure that what you feel for them is either platonic or romantic love.
1. Platonic love embraces conflict while romantic love makes compromises
Here’s the thing: when you’re having a fight with a close friend whom you love, you try as much as possible to be honest with them, while also being compassionate.
You can afford to be as honest as you want, secure in the knowledge that you will always remain friends no matter what.
On the other hand, with romantic love, you have to constantly make compromises for your partner. It is a priority for you to keep your partner happy; in fact, it makes you happy to do this.
2. Platonic love is patient, while romantic love can be aggressive
With a friend, you can afford to be patient because you know them like the back of your hand – you’ve known them for so long after all.
Romantic love can be aggressive sometimes as emotions overwhelm you from time to time. You feel such a deluge of emotion and you always want your partner to return the feeling.
3. Platonic love is forever, Romantic love constantly strives to be forever
With platonic love, you are secure in the love that your friend feels for you, knowing that they love you unconditionally.
You know that no matter what, your friend will be there for you forever. However, with you and your romantic partner, you’re both striving to make your relationship last forever.
4. Platonic love is durable, Romantic love is delicate
Platonic love is durable, sturdy, unwavering, and unfazed. The foundation of a platonic relationship is such that it takes a lot to shake it up or even do any damage to the relationship.
[bctt tweet=”Platonic love is durable, sturdy, unwavering, and unfazed.” username=”Sidomex”]
Romantic love is sensitive, emotional, and tender, which is not necessarily a bad thing, except that it makes the relationship delicate enough that certain things can shake up the relationship.
5. Platonic love is non-sexual, romantic love is sexual
This is probably the most defining identifier of a platonic relationship versus a romantic relationship.
In platonic relationships, you don’t feel any sexual attraction to your friend. You both understand that feeling that way towards each other would be incredibly weird.
However, with romantic relationships, it is all you can think about sometimes. The attraction between both of you is enough that you both feel it and it turn makes you feel possessive about each other.
So, there are tips for knowing the difference between platonic love and romantic love. Share your thoughts on this in the comments section below.
13 thoughts on “Doctor Cupid: This is how to find out if it is platonic love or romantic love”