Who doesn’t want to be around lovely people?
Well according to the etymology dictionary, the word lovely became unpopular in the 1980s. However, from around the year 2000, the word has risen in popularity to an all-time high.
So it’s never been more lovely, to be lovely, than now!
If you want to know some of the best personality characteristics of lovely people, read on.
1) Being loving
Ok so let’s start with the obvious. A loving person is someone who isn’t afraid to feel affection for others, and usually, they show it too.
Some people can be affectionate and touchy-feely, while others show their love through actions.
Here are some other ways that lovely people show their feelings:
- What they say: They use heartfelt words to express love and appreciation.
- Through quality time: They spend meaningful time with you, strengthening your bond.
- By gift-giving: Thoughtful gifts are a tangible expression of their love and care.
- Doing acts of service: They help and support you without hesitation.
- Listening and understanding: Loving people are attentive listeners who genuinely care about your thoughts and feelings.
2) They are easygoing
Lovely people tend to be easygoing.
They aren’t dogmatic about their ideas or their wants (most of the time anyway!). If you want to go to lunch at a specific place, that’s fine with them! If you want to talk about your opinions, they’re up for it (and without judgment).
Being a lovely and easygoing person can show up in so many different areas of life. For instance:
- The adaptable traveler: Imagine someone who’s traveling and their original plans get canceled due to a missed train or bus. Instead of getting frustrated, they embrace the change and find something to take pleasure in, wherever they are.
- The laid-back co-worker: Picture a colleague who doesn’t stress over every deadline or office drama. They handle work pressure with ease, keeping a positive attitude and supporting their team.
- The relaxed partner: In a relationship, an easygoing partner is understanding when plans change suddenly or when their significant other needs space. They don’t hold grudges and value open communication.
- The patient teacher: A teacher who remains calm and patient while guiding students through challenging material. They understand that everyone learns at their own pace and are willing to adapt their teaching methods.
- The calm parent: An easygoing parent doesn’t overreact to their child’s mistakes but uses them as learning opportunities. They encourage open communication and don’t micromanage their child’s every move.
- The easy-going boss: A boss who trusts their employees and gives them autonomy to complete tasks in their own way. They don’t nitpick about small details but rather focus on the overall results.
3) They have Zen glowy calmness
Now this one is a bit more rare. What do I even mean by this?
Well, there are certain people I’ve met in my life who seem to give out a special kind of energy.
I’m not one for idealizing gurus or anything like that. But in my early 20s, I met a woman who was a rebirthing guide and plant medicine facilitator. I was traveling and only spent one evening in her company.
But I had a strange compulsion to just sit and listen to her talk. Her voice was soft but confident, her words were full of love and compassion. She seemed to glow!
I can probably count on one hand the number of people I’ve met like this. They seem to be filled with an otherworldly type of love and compassion and wisdom. Their eyes shine. And so does their inner essence.
But even if this glowy-ness is rare, many of the lovely characteristics are not. Such as:
4) They are deeply empathetic
It’s hard to say exactly what made those glowy people so glowy.
But one thing that I could tell they all shared was a deep sense of empathy. I think that this loving empathy seems to emanate out of them, making you feel safe and warm in their presence.
It’s something special to know that someone really cares about humanity.
I also believe that deep down, one of our most desired things is to be loved and accepted for who we are.
When we meet someone who is extremely empathetic, we feel seen, we feel heard. And we feel as though we can be vulnerable around them and that they would take care of us.
We feel like they understand our struggles and what it means to be us.
And that’s a lovely feeling.
5) They are good listeners
One way we can know if someone is empathetic is that they are a good listener. The best kind of listener doesn’t just sit and nod (although this is sometimes exactly what’s needed), – they are also an active listener.
What do active listeners do?
They deeply focus their attention on you, following what you say and often mirroring your emotions on their face.
They will ask you questions at relevant points. They will reflect and emphasize things you say that seem important.
They don’t jump to conclusions, or interrupt. But when the time is right, and if appropriate, they will offer helpful feedback.
So we can see why being an active listener is another special and lovely quality. It’s one that makes you feel truly heard and seen.
6) They are optimistic and cheerful
Glowy people are optimistic!
Sometimes people say that we are all the creators of our own realities.
Why? Because while we often cannot control what happens to us, we can choose how to view things.
Now I’m not suggesting toxic positivity, (which can be annoying and even harmful), but rather, looking on the bright side of things.
Imagine this:
You and your friends are on a day out with Shelley, the most optimistic and cheerful person ever! You’re excited about the adventure – a hike in a beautiful national park.
As the day begins, Shelley’s positive vibes are contagious, and you can’t help but feel uplifted.
Even when hit with unexpected traffic, she’s like, “Well, more time for us to chat and sing along to some tunes! We’ll get there eventually!”
Her infectious positivity keeps everyone in high spirits, turning the traffic jam into a fun bonding experience.
Arriving at the park, it starts drizzling, but Shelley’s enthusiasm is undeterred. “Rain or shine, it’s gonna be great! Embrace the rain!” she says, her arms outstretched, spinning around.
You can’t help but smile at her excitement. With Shelley’s enthusiasm, the group happily takes on the trail, making jokes about their “rain dance.”
During the hike, you all come across a hidden waterfall, and Shelley’s joy is so genuine. “See, the rain brought us this amazing surprise! How lucky are we?” she says, and you feel grateful for this unexpected discovery.
Her cheerful attitude turns what could have been a damp and gloomy day into an enchanting exploration.
A beautiful story for a rainy day, right? Now retell that to yourself with a pessimistic person in the place of Shelley. Not so lovely!
7) Thoughtful and compassionate
At the start of this article, I talked about how lovely people show their love.
Words are great but actions are powerful.
Have you ever had a friend that is very thoughtful? The kind of person that seems to be anticipating your needs before you’ve even realized them.
Or the person who is first to check up on you if you’re unwell. Or if they haven’t heard from you in a while. If you need it they will be there, bringing you dinner, or any other thing to help you.
A truly lovely person is thoughtful and loves to do things for others.
Picture this – you’re having a bit of a down day, and suddenly, your amazing friend Shelley surprises you with a care package. It’s filled with all your favorite snacks and a handwritten note.
It’s like she has a sixth sense for lifting spirits, and you can’t help but wonder, “How did she know I needed this right now?”
Her thoughtfulness turns an ordinary day into something extraordinary.
But wait, there’s more!
Shelley, being the wonderful soul she is, goes on to plan a spontaneous gathering with all your friends. You’re left in awe at her compassionate thoughtfulness.
Yay for lovely people!
Lovely people bring so much warmth into our lives, through their simple yet incredibly meaningful actions. They can add a touch of magic to our days and make us appreciate the beauty of genuine human connections.
As we celebrate these thoughtful and compassionate people, let’s cherish the joy and love they bring. Life with them is like snuggling under a cozy blanket filled with kindness.
Let’s see if we can bring some loveliness into someone else’s day!
