Is it really love, or just infatuation? You might be asking yourself this question early on in a relationship. Whether its love or infatuation, a new connection can bring with it intense emotions. It can be challenging to define and understand these complex emotions and what they mean for your new relationship. Knowing the difference in love and infatuation can help you make informed decisions and lead to a healthy, happy relationship.
How to Tell Infatuation from Love
The difference in love and infatuation is complex. When we enter a new relationship, we are often seeking feelings of excitement and connection. How intense these feelings are, and the other emotions and factors that accompany them can provide insights into whether you’re experiencing infatuation or love. 
Infatuation is often marked by intense and overwhelming feelings of excitement, euphoria, lust, and/or desire. You may find yourself ignoring red flags within the relationship and quickly becoming attached to the other person despite not knowing them very well.
Unlike infatuation, love can feel like a slow burn. You likely feel a sense of calm and comfort when with the other person, and you’re less likely to feel the heart racingly intense emotions of infatuation. Love requires the time and effort of getting to know the other person’s true self and connecting on a deeper level despite differences and challenges. When you’re in love, you’re able to thrive as an individual and within your couple while experiencing mutual respect, affection, and devotion to your partner.
Signs of Infatuation and Love
We asked our love relationship coach for key markers of the difference in love and infatuation, here’s what she had to say:
Infatuation often goes hand in hand with feelings of “love at first sight,” or feeling “head over heels for the other person”. These feelings developed very quickly, and they may fizzle just as quickly. Your connection is based in fantasy, and you feel that the other person is perfect. You feel hesitant when it comes to committing to the other person and sharing yourself on a deeper level. When you’re with this person, you feel physical sensations like a racing heart, sweaty palms, or nervous stomach.
Love is accompanied by serious feelings of connection and commitment to the other person. Your feelings are based in reality, and you understand and accept the other person’s flaws. Love is long lasting and slower to develop. You feel excited when you’re around the other person, but you don’t feel anxious and nervous.
| Love | Infatuation |
| Reality | Fantasy |
| Long-lasting | Fizzles out quickly |
| Recognize and accept imperfections | Block out imperfections |
| Comfortable and calm | Feelings of anxiety |
| Excited by commitment | Fearful of commitment |
Can Infatuation Lead to Love?
It is possible for infatuation to turn into love; however, you don’t need to experience a stage of infatuation to be in love with someone. If you’re hoping for your infatuation to turn into love, you must be open to connecting on a deeper level. We know that it can feel scary to be vulnerable and share your deepest self with someone else, and yet we know that true love cannot exist without understanding who your partner truly is and them understanding who you truly are.
Some people experience and attachment or addiction to the feelings that accompany infatuation. As a result, it can be challenging to develop a deeper, love connection if you’re constantly seeking the “head over heels” feeling of infatuation. We’re here to support you in developing more meaningful, deeper connections and opening yourself up to love. Working with a professional dating consultant at the LovinText Coaching Institute can help you to understand yourself in the context of intimate relationships and lead you toward fulfilling connections. We would be honored to be the love relationship coach to support you on this journey.
How We Can Support You
If you’re longing to feel seen, heard, and connected, we are here for you. The LovingText Team offers relationship coaching for both individuals and couples seeking to gain a deeper understanding of their relationship patterns, goals, and more. As a love relationship Team, LovingText, leads sessions tailored to meet your unique needs. Session topics can include self-worth, unhealthy relationship dynamics, toxic patterns, the difference in love and infatuation, love addiction, and communication.
Relationship coaching can be a wonderful step toward long-lasting and fulfilling connection.
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