Love. Whether it be from a family member or a significant other, it’s something we all crave, and something we all need.
Love is complicated though. Many people struggle to give their partners the type of love they need to be fulfilled. However, many don’t realize that the key to understanding how to give and receive love is just a Google search away.
The website is titled “Discover Your Love Languages – The 5 Love Languages.” The website includes information and quizzes about love languages, based on the book, “The 5 Love Languages.” The book is centered on the idea that everyone has a specific and unique way that they give and receive love.
Our expressions of love are all very different, and learning these languages allows others to learn and better understand conflicts and connect in a deeper way. There are five different love languages that a person can experience, and it is greatly influenced by people’s childhood and family experiences.
As mentioned in the book, everyone has a love tank that needs to be filled. Our love tanks run empty when our emotional needs are not met. We need this in order to be our best selves. So if our love tanks run out, that leads to people acting out against their partner in a relationship.
The 5 love languages
Although a person can feel a desire for many different types of love languages, each person has one primary love language that they need to feel loved. This can be difficult in relationships where couples do not share the same love language and don’t understand how to express love in ways their partner needs. Taking the test will give you a look at which languages you identify with.
Here are the five love languages and ways they can be expressed:
Words of Affirmation
Words of affirmation are words that communicate your love, appreciation, and respect for a person. These words are meant to confirm, support, uplift, and empathize with another person.
Ways to express this love:
“I appreciate it when you…”
“It impressed me when you…”
“Thank you for…”
“You are doing such a great job. I’m really proud of you.”
“Your support means so much to me.”
Quality Time
Quality time is time spent giving another person their undivided attention to strengthen a relationship. Spending time together shows appreciation & affection, and increases connection and intimacy in your relationship. This is my primary love language.
Ways to express this love:
Actively watch something
Getting coffee together
Plan regular date nights
Cooking together
Pick up a new hobby together
Acts of Service
An act of service is someone going out of their way to help and support the other person by physically doing something for them. When people try to ease some of their partner’s responsibilities and burdens, it helps them feel taken care of, safe, and loved.
Ways to express this love:
Make their favorite meal
Do chores they don’t want to do
Plan a date
Take care of them when they’re sick
Prepare a meal for them
Receiving Gifts
Receiving gifts as a love language can sometimes get confusing, but it doesn’t just mean wanting people to spend money. Receiving gifts is desiring symbols that have emotional value as an expression of love.
Ways to express this love:
Send them a surprise package at work
Bring them their favorite flowers
Get them their favorite snack
Make a playlist for them
Put together a photo album for them
Physical Touch
Physical touch refers to affection through touch, closeness, and other forms of physical connection. Those who prefer physical touch see small physical gestures as an expression of love.
Ways to express this form of love:
Give them a backscratch or massage
Give them a hug or kiss
Put your arm around them or hold
their hand
Share a high five or small touch
Talk about physical touch they are
comfortable with
It’s important for people to understand their love languages and their partner’s love languages. It allows them to have open communication about the things that make them feel loved and understand what they need to be emotionally fulfilled.
Understanding this allows for us to give and receive and love in a healthy way. That’s something that we all deserve to experience.
Real love grows when we understand each other’s love language. Real love is the feeling of being able to provide for someone and be provided for. Real love takes a lot of work, but it’s worth it.
