How to Write About Love
Love can take many forms, from the bond with a family member to the camaraderie of friends to the butterflies of romantic feelings. It enriches our lives, supports us through difficult times and needs care and understanding to thrive. It also inspires us to create art, including poems and writings. The complexities of this emotion are fascinating to writers and philosophers, who have explored it in their works throughout history.
When you write about love, it is important to decide which aspect of this emotion you want to examine. For example, you might focus on the various stages of love, the different ways people express it or the way that love is portrayed in literature and art. You can then use this information to guide your essay’s structure and content.
Most people agree that the first stage of love is attraction, which is driven by a mix of hormones and neurotrophins. These chemicals, including dopamine and adrenaline, are responsible for the flushed cheeks and tingling in your palms that you feel when you’re around someone you like. Once you start feeling close to someone, oxytocin begins to be released and you may begin making long-term plans together.
The second phase of love is attachment, which involves wanting to spend time with the person and the desire for physical contact. It’s the reason you miss your best friend when they aren’t around, or why you cry when your spouse or parent is sick. Ultimately, the goal of this stage is to form a deep bond.
For some people, the expression of love comes in the form of acts of service. Whether it’s washing the dishes, mowing the lawn or helping with chores around the house, these small gestures communicate a deep level of affection and devotion. Affectionate gifts are another common expression of love, and the thought behind a gift often carries more weight than the actual item itself.
A third way that love is expressed is through words. Some people crave affirmation, and enjoy hearing “I love you” regularly. They are also often energized by compliments and encouragement, which make them feel understood and appreciated. This love language can also be manifested through written messages, such as emails or text messages.
Caring is a powerful expression of love, which means valuing the other person’s happiness and well-being more than your own. It’s why people care for their pets and family members, even when those relationships are challenging or painful. For others, caring is shown through self-sacrifice, such as helping a loved one through a medical crisis or taking on more responsibility to care for an elderly parent.
Some people argue that true love is a choice, and that it’s a commitment that’s independent of the emotions that fuel it. If you understand love as a choice and a practice, it’s harder for the disappearance of feelings or life changes to dissolve it. Choosing to be there for your partner and following through on your commitments will help sustain the relationship.