Even today, many people do not know the difference between “I’m in love with you” and “I love you.” Even though most people mistake them for being synonyms, these sentences are not at all alike.

Being in love with someone and loving someone are two entirely different things, and it is important that you know the difference between the two.

Mentioned below are some differences between loving someone and being in love:

• When you’re in love, you want this person
• When you love someone, you need this person

This is the main difference between loving someone and being in love. Being in love is wanting to own the other person. It is believing that this person is incredibly wonderful and you need them in your life. 

When you fall in love, you feel an intense need to consume this person in any way possible.

In simple terms, being in love is believing that you need someone to stay happy. 

On the other hand, when you love, you don’t only want them in your life, but you need them. You need this person to live happily and not because you own this person but because you want to give them a part of you.

This kind of love sometimes requires you to let them go and set them free.

• When you’re in love with someone; Your sentiments are on the edge
• When you love someone; Your emotions are settled

When you’re in love with someone, you experience a feeling of high that you do not want to come down from. It makes you feel like you are floating on top of a cloud, and you never want to let go. However, this is where the problem lies; after some time, you come down.

When you love someone, there is not much emotion there. It is more about thoughts.

You think about your significant other and wish the best for them. You care about them, and the emotions that come with this are just a simple perk.

Once you have crossed the stage of being in love with some to loving them, you will have to let go of the feeling of high and be prepared to ride the less emotional waves.

• When in love with someone, you plan to reach a goal
• When you love someone, the goal doesn’t matter

This is what makes falling in love with someone so exhilarating- you are constantly yearning for more. You want to spend time with your significant other and get to know them better. You are always striving for more and want to build a more serious relationship.

Read Also: Love Without Likes: Why Privacy is Saving Modern Day Relationships

When in love, no goal exists. The reason behind this is that you have already reached the finish line.

This often scares couples because they are constantly looking forward to making progress. However, you must understand that you cannot make progress and build something forever. The only thing you can do is to keep on working and refreshing what you already have.

• When you’re in love, you think you care about that person more than you do
• When you love someone, you care more about that person than you think

When you are in love, the chemicals inside your brain make you feel as if you are the greatest person in the world. You will believe this person to be the perfect specimen, and sadly this feeling will wear off once the happy chemicals die down.

Then you are going to be left feeling lost and confused.

Being in love is easily recognizable, but loving, on the other hand, gives no such reminders. When you truly love someone, moments of separation and loss can fill you with overwhelming emotions. You care about them more than you think, and imagining a life without them will be difficult for you.

Loving a person is something that defines who you are.

When you love someone, you put all your chips on the table, you show them all your cards, and you hope for the very best.

You show your person your most vulnerable side, and now there is no taking it back.

When in love with someone, you can easily fall out of love. This kind of love allows you to romanticize your partner and the relationship. But when you love someone, you cannot see a future without them. This is the main difference between being in love with someone and loving someone.