Is It Love Or Attachment? Here's How You Can Know The Difference!

There persists a thin line between the truer than true feelings of love and the emotional state of attachment. On one side is a heartfelt bonding, whereas on the other is fascination. Either you sacredly connect with the person, or you just feel the attachment because you need them. Well, the “need” for someone to be present beside you isn't what we can call as love! When you need someone to fill in the void, when you aren’t able to rely on yourself and when you find someone listening to you is when attachment seeps in. But, this attachment might not always turn out to be true love. So, what are the differentiating factors that help you draw the line? 

Here are five differences that help you understand the dissimilarities between these two sentiments – Love and Attraction.

#1. Love is self-sacrificing; attachment is self-centered

Love is all about putting the other person first. Every step is a result of ultimate self-awareness and self-acceptance that you two are important in each other’s life.

Attachment doesn’t really turn the world around. In an attachment, there are fewer compromises. You want to become a part of the other person’s world without having to sacrifice yourself. Attachment after a certain time can become toxic.

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#2. Love is empowering; attachment is controlling

Love is free from dominance, suppression, and disrespect. It dignifies the relationship and instills no fear. Love endows compassion, kindness and isn’t judgmental. It’s a rejuvenated (and warmer) energy!

Attachment, on the other hand, is the continuous struggle for power. You make the other one feel handcuffed, and you do not believe in inculcating the sense of freedom.

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#3. Love surely is timeless; attachment is fleeting

When you are deeply in love, you are in love! The other person consistently remains the love of your life. Even though the relationship falls apart, there remains a sentiment that always wishes for their betterment. It’s everlasting!

The attachment works on a deadline basis. The feeling makes you assume that your partner is under the obligation of fulfilling your desires. It isn’t real and falls off quickly. It’s transient!

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#4. Love is hard but freeing; attachment is challenging and possessive

As they say, real love has never been easy. It’s life changing and takes a lot of work to foster the understanding as well as security between each other.

An attachment has nothing to nurture or satisfy your soul. There aren’t any another level transformations. There’s absolutely no hold over the feelings. Plus, the level of security and trust just diminishes.

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#5. Love is positive; attachment is egoistic

Your relationship goals serve towards mutual growth, reduced ego and the encouragement to communicate for breaking barriers.

But relationships based on attachment are conquered by ego. You overlook to resolve the issues within. Most importantly, you have the courage not to embolden positivity but to bring down the other person every time you can!

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Therefore, if it’s not wholeheartedly happening and not surpassing all other forms, it’s attachment. If it’s the fear of being lonely, it’s attachment. If it’s not liberation, it’s captivity, and it's attachment. Let us know through the comment section below about how you feel about love and attachment. We would love to hear from you!