Love isn’t just an intimate affair, you can love just about all the people that are close to you with no strings attached.
I love my best friends, and sometimes we’d say things like “I love you girl” to each other and that has become quite normal, but I’ve realised that most people only feel safe to say it to either their partners or parents rather than friends.
Expressing love to friends can be a meaningful and important part of close friendships.
However, it's important to consider your friend's feelings and the nature of your relationship before expressing your love.
Here are a few tips to help you normalize saying "I love you" to your friends:
Be sincere: When expressing your feelings, make sure you're being genuine and authentic. It's important to express your love in a way that feels natural to you and accurately reflect your emotions.
Be respectful: Consider your friend's feelings and the nature of your relationship. If you have a long-standing close relationship, saying "I love you" may be more appropriate than if you're just getting to know someone. Make sure you're not putting pressure on your friend or making them feel uncomfortable.
Be clear: When expressing your love, be clear about what you mean. Let your friend know that you value their friendship and that you're grateful for their presence in your life.
Use other words: If you're not comfortable saying "I love you" to your friend, consider other ways to express your affection. You could say something like, "You mean a lot/so much to me" or "I appreciate you so much."
Take cues from your friend: Pay attention to your friend's reactions and responses. If they seem uncomfortable or unsure, it's probably best to scale back your expressions of affection.
Remember, expressing love to your friends is a personal decision, and there's no one right way to do it. Ultimately, the most important thing is to be authentic, sincere, and respectful of your friend's feelings.
I hope this encourages you to express your feelings to your friends in some way.
Let me know in the comments if you’re already saying “I love you” to your friends or if this this is something you might want to try out? Or if you feel that saying "I love you" is too much affection for you to express.
Sewa Adebayo
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