what's the difference between "loving" and "being in love"?

@rojane (500)
Philippines
May 16, 2007 10:48pm CST
i came face-to-face with that same question a few years ago. the difference between "loving" a person and "being in love" with the person. i managed to answer it myself and yet, i'm wondering how other persons would respond to that. what's really the difference between the two? and which one is better: loving or being in love with the person? or is there any difference at all?
3 people like this
8 responses
@tina12679 (1126)
• United States
17 May 07
I feel that "being in love" means that you give yourself to the other person whole heartedly and hold nothing back, this is the person that you want to be with need to be and have to be with or you might just lose your mind, this is the person that feels your heart with so much joy love and hope that you almost cant stand it. That person is your everything,it hurts to breath without that person. Loving someone to me is just caring about someone it may have the potential to be more and it may not. You can love alot of people at one time and care about their well being and their lives.
@rojane (500)
• Philippines
17 May 07
hi tina! you really got a nice opinion there. now, i am beginning to understand more the difference of the two. thanks a lot for your opinion. you really had differentiated the two feelings well! you are right. so now i came to a conclusion that you can love anyone or everybody but you cannot be in love with all of them or with just anyone, right?
@tina12679 (1126)
• United States
17 May 07
Thank you. I am happy that i can help.if just a little.
1 person likes this
@rojane (500)
• Philippines
17 May 07
and i am looking forward for more comments from you. and to learn from them again. keep on sharing your bright thoughts and nice views. see yah 'round, tina! :)
2 people like this
@paigegal (438)
• United States
17 May 07
Actually there are differences between 'loving' and 'being love'. However, I choose not to question this since it gives me troubles.... For example, if you are in a relationship, and you always question about these. You'll soon destroy your relationship. Just try to think that both of this are in the area of 'LOVE'. Then you'll feel better and know better with these. ^^
@rojane (500)
• Philippines
17 May 07
hahaha. your comment is so nice. you got a point there. why trouble yourself with something when you can just accept everything as is to make life a little simpler, right? hahaha. well i guess it's just our human nature to make things life so complicated. and in this complicated world, it's so nice to hear a comment as yours. you have the power to make it all sound so simple. haha. keep posting! :)
2 people like this
@Norstar (694)
• India
18 May 07
"Being in love" is a "state of mind"; "loving" is a "process through which one loves", or indicates "characteristic of someone who loves". As you can see, these are not exactly one and the same. There is also no question of saying which is better. You said that you have your own understanfing of these. so when you have received enough responses, you may tell your own perception. Until then, enjoy being in love and be loving.
@rojane (500)
• Philippines
18 May 07
thanks norstar for your wonderful idea of loving and being in love. ok, i will tell my own perception too soon. :)
1 person likes this
@xiqechill (238)
• Indonesia
17 May 07
loving is not selfish to the one you love but being in love is selfish to the one you love, thst's what i think....
1 person likes this
@rojane (500)
• Philippines
18 May 07
hi there! you know what i think? to most people, i think what you said is true but to some it's not. being in love doesn't necessarily mean that it's a selfish love. it's still a case-to-case basis i guess. what do you think? :)
1 person likes this
@faruqy (150)
• Indonesia
17 May 07
I think in "loving" we still can controll our emotions. But "being in love" we definitely trapped with that kind of emotion. Sometime may be we can't eat or sleep very well. Because always remeber our beloved's face.
1 person likes this
@rojane (500)
• Philippines
17 May 07
hahaha. you're right! being in love has a way of making us feel like we're in a trance. the daydreaming and all.... hehehe. being in love do make us crazy but heck, it also makes us all feel good! thanks for sharing dude! keep posting! :)
2 people like this
@laridbz (1280)
• China
17 May 07
I think "loving" means caring about people you like. Caring A LOT. You love your mom, your dad, even your husband. "Being in love" is associated to passion. It's that person that makes your heart beat really fast, gives you that cool sensation in your stomach. Many couples (most?) love each other, but are not in love (at least not anymore). It's quite a bad thing in my opinion, but it happens to almost everyone. I personally think being in love is way more fun that loving. ;)
1 person likes this
@rojane (500)
• Philippines
18 May 07
oh, thanks a lot! i do agree with what you said that being in love is correlated with passion, desire and such like. and you're also right about some couples love each other but are not really in love. but i do believe that all couples came to a point that they are in love with each other but it just so happens that their feelings eventually ebb and just end up to only love (and not in love anymore). i think both couples should strive to maintain the feeling of "being in love" with each other so the passion won't just go away.
2 people like this
@laridbz (1280)
• China
18 May 07
Yep, you're right, but mantaining the "being in love" is REALLY difficult. Really, really! :)
1 person likes this
• Janesville, Wisconsin
23 May 07
I think loving.. is being one each individual being loving towards eachother.. I think being in love, is when both individuals are being so loving towards eachother there is a strong bond and connection that surrounds them both. - DNatureofDTrain
@bindishah (2062)
• India
18 May 07
I think it means the same thing - loving is an adjective and being in love is a verb. Both mean that you care so much for one person that you would do anything for them. What in your opinion is the difference between the two? Id love to know a different perspective.
1 person likes this