How do you express your love?

The philosophy of the five love languages is grounded in the idea that we employ various methods to demonstrate love and affection, such as compliments, quality time, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch.

Most of us tend to use one of these love languages to show our affection, whether towards our partner, family, or friends.

An important aspect to consider is that when dealing with the five love languages, many people may be in relationships with partners who have a different love language. This situation can result in misunderstandings, for example, a husband may give his wife gifts when she actually values acts of service, such as him helping with household chores like vacuuming.

She might even think that she is unloved because her partner fails to demonstrate affection in a manner that she perceives as love. Every individual has a unique love language—you can complete a test here to uncover yours. If your love language is physical touch, you may enjoy holding hands, kissing, hugging, or sitting closely together on the couch while watching TV, for instance.

Someone who craves compliments desires their partner to communicate their feelings toward them verbally or in writing. On the other hand, individuals who show love through acts of service appreciate when their partner assists with household tasks during the daily routine.

For someone who sees quality time as an expression of love, it's important to engage in activities with their partner that revolve around shared hobbies or simply spending uninterrupted time together, such as taking a stroll in the neighbourhood.

On the other hand, individuals who appreciate receiving gifts don't require expensive presents on a daily basis; occasional flowers or small, possibly handmade gifts that hold sentimental value can be just as meaningful, regardless of their cost.

Being loved is a universal need, yet when love is not communicated in a way that resonates with us, we may mistakenly feel that our loved ones do not value us enough. This misinterpretation hinders us from fostering the closeness we desire in relationships. By recognizing our love language and understanding our partners, we can fulfil these needs effectively.

By identifying what is lacking, we can communicate with our partners about how to express love and affection in a way that meets our needs and reciprocates the same for them.