When it comes to any new relationship, you never go into it thinking it’s doomed to fail. But sometimes, when things seem to be going so well, you might think to yourself, “Is this too good to be true?”
Perhaps you’ve had your fair share of heartbreak, or a toxic relationship has made it difficult to trust or be vulnerable.
The real question is, when you’re dating and interested in a guy, how do you know that what he feels for you is real?
It’s hard to tell how men feel because they don’t typically express their emotions. Trying to understand what’s on his mind or in his heart can leave you confused and frustrated.
After all, the last thing that you want to find out is that you’re being played!
To help you determine where your relationship is headed, you can look for 6 signs a man is genuine in his feelings for you, according to psychologists.
The good news is that these signs can stop you from making assumptions and hopefully provide some clarity on your partner’s love language.
1) His words and actions are in sync.
One of the biggest telltale signs that a man has genuine feelings for you is whether his words and actions are aligned.
What I mean by this is that he follows through with what he says and doesn’t give you empty promises.
You want to know that your man is being honest and sincere. But how do you spot sincerity in men?
According to psychologists, the first step to identifying a sincere man is not to confuse genuine confidence with arrogance.
An arrogant man will lie, manipulate, and confuse you. They become preoccupied with their own image, they’re sarcastic, and they subtly criticize you.
A confident man stands by what he says, and he’s self-assured without making you feel inadequate. He doesn’t leave you questioning his intentions because every move, from his body language to his attitude, is authentic.
At the end of the day, if you feel unsure because what he says and does are two different things, this could be a sign that he isn’t as transparent as you’d like him to be.
2) He prioritizes you.
Most guys like to stick to their usual routines, so if they plan Fridays out with the boys but decide to hang out with you instead, that’s a really good sign.
Look at it this way, men have specific activities they like to pursue, whether it’s watching a sports game or spending time with their friends.
If they make a point of arranging time with you in place of their usual hangouts or activities, they’re definitely going out of their way to prioritize you.
Again, it’s about following through with what they say. If the person you’re with promises to see you, they should make the effort to be there.
And if he’s genuine in his feelings for you, he’ll move mountains to make a good impression, which means sticking to his word.
If you feel like you’re the only one trying to spend time together, he’s not prioritizing you.
Yes, we can be swamped with work, or an unexpected event may disrupt our plans, but when you notice a pattern of excuses, it’s time to re-evaluate where his head and heart are.
3) He remembers the little things about you.
In a relationship, don’t you think that it’s important to learn about the person you’re with? Not only is it necessary to get to know them by building a stronger connection, but it also shows that you’re interested in who they are.
One of the simplest ways to tell whether a man is genuine in what he feels for you is whether he actively listens and wants to learn about you.
He shouldn’t be focused on himself in conversation but should show a clear interest in things that make you unique.
Many men would agree that it takes a fair amount of effort to remember what you’ve told them! If they’re interested in you, they will easily memorize the small details you share with them.
Just be aware that there is a difference between getting to know you at a steady pace and manipulation.
A manipulator will go out of their way to lay on the charm and get as much information out of you as possible.
They don’t allow relationships to progress naturally or at your pace; instead, they pretend to care so that you share your vulnerabilities with them. Later, when they want something, they’ll use this information against you.
Pay close attention, especially when something doesn’t feel right.
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4) He constantly communicates with you.
No man is going to put time and effort into a potential relationship if they aren’t interested in one. When he wants to pursue something meaningful and possibly long-term, he will constantly communicate with you.
Whether through texts or calls, he’ll make the effort to show you that you’re on his mind and that he wants to connect with you.
Some guys might go as far as texting every morning so that you know you’re the first person on their mind when they wake up.
Now, some of you might be thinking, “Well, constantly texting first thing in the morning is a little bit much! But this can be explained by a man’s love language.
In psychology, men who are falling in love find it hard to think about things outside of their connection with you. In the early stages of a relationship, you might even go as far as saying they develop a bit of a preoccupation with you.
Of course, nobody wants their significant other to be obsessed or preoccupied with them because that’s unhealthy.
When a man is excited about you and wants to form a strong connection, he’ll let you know through frequent communication and his desire to spend more time with you.
Your positive response to his affection reinforces his behavior, and he certainly won’t be shy about pursuing you.
5) He’s relaxed and happy when he’s with you.
A man who’s sincere and truly interested won’t feel the need to impress you with things or talk for the sake of talking. He’ll take the time to learn about your interests and allow the relationship to progress naturally.
If there’s a genuine spark, the conversation will be easy, not forced, or involve superficial topics. He’ll want to get to know you, which shows in his demeanor and mood when he’s with you.
Men who are falling in love experience a sense of exhilaration when they’re around the person they’re interested in.
Their happiness makes them want to build a deeper emotional connection, and they become more physically affectionate over time.
Feeling so relaxed and content also allows them to open up to experiencing new things, and they try to step out of their comfort zones to impress their partners.
Let’s say that you enjoy preparing meals at home, whereas he’s more of a fast-food kind of person.
Because he feels so good around you, he’ll be open to trying a new hobby or activity, such as cooking together and helping out in the kitchen.
He might even let you know that he enjoys being himself when he’s with you.
6) He makes you laugh.
There’s no doubt that a man who is truly interested in you will go out of his way to make you smile and laugh.
Based on research concerning humor in courtship, men who showed higher levels of interest in their partner made a greater effort to be funny and entertaining.
Men felt more confident when women laughed and responded positively to their silly or lighthearted side.
This could be explained by the fact that men look for signs of affection and appreciation from their partners to let them know they’re interested.
If he’s putting his best foot forward to be humorous, laughing lets him know that you enjoy his company and feel comfortable around him.
Men also find women with a sense of humor more attractive because it takes the pressure off and makes it easier to form a strong bond.
As they say, laughter is the best medicine.
One of the hardest parts of dating is knowing what the other person thinks and feels. Men can be difficult to read because they don’t exactly wear their hearts on their sleeves.
But before you make assumptions about whether the other person is interested and wants a relationship, consider the signs that a man is genuine in his feelings for you.
Based on psychology, an authentic man will try to impress his partner with humor because it lightens the mood, and he wants to see you smile.
In addition to bonding over laughter, he’ll prioritize you and remember the little things you share with him.
Remember that his actions should always follow his words, and don’t be afraid to ask what he’s looking for in a relationship.
Being aware of these signs can protect you from fakers and get you closer to finding someone you can trust and love with your whole heart.