If there’s one thing everyone wants and deserves in life, it’s to be loved unconditionally, right?
And when you’re lucky enough to find a partner who loves you, you want to know how deep that love really goes.
Is it the kind of fickle ‘love’ that’s here today and gone tomorrow, or is it real, deep unconditional love?
Luckily psychology can help us out on this one. While there isn’t one specific sign that absolutely proves unconditional love, a collection of certain signs often strongly point toward it.
You just have to know what to look out for.
Today, I’m sharing 7 signs that, according to psychology, a man loves you unconditionally.
Let’s dive in, shall we?
1) He’s open and honest about his feelings
Someone who loves you unconditionally communicates openly and honestly about their feelings. It’s more than just talking. You’ll have the inside scoop on how they feeling, their fears and anxieties as well as what makes them tick.
This may not seem like a huge deal, but believe me, it is. Being truly open like this is rare. In fact, 80% of men struggle when it comes to expressing emotions; they don’t open up to just anyone.
Not only is this behavior a sign they’re deeply in love with you, but it’s also a great sign of strength for your relationship.
As outlined by Lisa Firestone PhD, clinical psychologist and author, the ability to be completely open and honest with your partner is a sign of trust and security and says a lot about the strength of the relationship.
If you’ve got a guy who’s willing to open up to you and have tough conversations, it’s a clear indicator that he loves you unconditionally.
2) He sees things from your perspective
When you share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with your man, do you often feel like he just ‘gets it’?
It’s more than just him being supportive, he’s so invested it’s like he’s right there, going through it with you. He makes you feel seen, heard, and understood.
Sound familiar?
Empathy like this shows he cares as much about your well-being as he does about his own. It’s widely recognized as a key element of genuine, limitless love.
Glenn Geher Ph.D tells us “validating the feelings of one’s partner, which is a classic exemplar of true empathy, is a critical element of a genuinely loving and strong relationship”.
When your man shows you empathy, it’s a strong sign his love for you is unconditional.
3) He respects you
Does your partner respect you?
I mean respect in the sense that he holds you in high esteem, he values your opinions and unique qualities. He also respects you enough to recognize your individuality, your boundaries, and your views even if they’re different from his.
And you respect him in the same way.
You might think this is a given in romantic relationships but believe it or not, mutual respect is often a crucial and perhaps under-considered factor in loving relationships.
As outlined by Stephen J Betchen, family therapy expert with fellowships in psychology and psychoanalysis “There is a very simple concept that..many couples and the professionals who treat them undervalue–one that may be a vital ingredient to a successful relationship: mutual respect.”.
This kind of mutual respect is a major element of romantic relationships and a strong indicator of unconditional love.
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4) He’s your number one supporter
When I told my partner I wanted to quit my job and try my hand at something totally new he instantly replied “That sounds like a fantastic idea, I’m fully behind you. How can I help?”.
I loved this reaction: but wasn’t that surprised because he has shown me over and over that he’s my biggest cheerleader and always supports my dreams.
Does your partner support you like this?
As outlined by Dr. John Gottman’s research, supporting each other’s life dreams is a key aspect of a thriving, loving relationship. It not only prevents conflict but deepens your bond.
If your man supports you and encourages you to chase your dreams and goals, it’s a significant indicator of true love.
5) He’s willing to work with you to resolve conflict
We all know that every relationship will face conflict, right?
Here’s the thing: disagreements are normal. In fact, a little conflict is healthy. What’s really important is how you and your partner resolve it.
One study published in the Journal of Psychology found relationships with constructive conflict resolution also tend to have higher relationship satisfaction. This allows love to grow and thrive.
How does your man approach conflict resolution with you? Is he willing to work constructively with you to get things sorted out?
If so, it’s another sign he’s head over heels for you.
6) They offer small gestures of kindness
Unconditional love isn’t always expressed in loud grand gestures, sometimes it’s more about small acts of kindness that show he really cares.
My partner sends me a “good morning” text every single day. And he makes me a cup of tea after work because he knows it’s how I unwind. They’re small but powerful acts of kindness.
What small gestures of kindness does your man do for you?
Whatever the gesture, these small but consistent and caring acts tell you how he really feels. He’s going out of his way to be thoughtful and to make your life better in some way.
Is there a more simple but meaningful way to show unconditional love than this?
7) He loves you for who you are
Does your man appreciate you for who you are, nothing more and nothing less?
It doesn’t matter how often you work out, how much money you make, or what achievements you have, he loves you for exactly who you are flaws and all, right?
As simple as it sounds, unconditional love is about loving someone for who they are. It’s quite literally love without any conditions.
As Jodi Picoult, puts it in her book ‘My Sister’s Keeper’, “You don’t love someone because they’re perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they’re not.”
If your man loves you despite the fact you’re not perfect, and let’s face it none of us are, there’s no doubt you’re loved unconditionally.
Final thoughts
So, how many of the signs do you recognize in your man?
It’s important to remember that there’s no single sign that guarantees the existence of unconditional love; it’s a combination of lots of small gestures that showcase it.
Therefore, if you notice most or all of these signs, you can rest assured he loves you unconditionally.