Discussion what does the phrase "I love you" mean to you?

[watashiwastar]

it means nothing to me personally. i feel nothing, really. in the sense that the concept of love cannot be understood through a phrase as simple as "I love you". we have entire languages at our disposal, and yet this is the phrase we choose to repeat to our partners?

i don't expect everyone to be a poet, but it is funny how trite the typical conventions of romance are to me.

i am a rather avoidant person, so i would like to hear other people's thoughts on this phrase.

 

[copioushopelessness]

Means nothing when the people who've said it to me abused me. How quickly one can go from I hate you to I love you then back around again. I hate the cycle.
Like you said, all these words and that's all we can come up with and other cliché phrases.

 

[watashiwastar]

this.
a phrase a person tells you to abuse you.
or, a phrase a person impetuously tells you, while they themselves have no understanding of it.

 

[LonelyPrince]

it means nothing to me personally. i feel nothing, really. in the sense that the concept of love cannot be understood through a phrase as simple as "I love you". we have entire languages at our disposal, and yet this is the phrase we choose to repeat to our partners?

i don't expect everyone to be a poet, but it is funny how trite the typical conventions of romance are to me.

i am a rather avoidant person, so i would like to hear other people's thoughts on this phrase.

It means nothing to me either. When people say it to me, I don't feel anything. It just feels like a formal greeting. I think it's just me though: after being let down so many times.
Love Is shown through actions, not words.

 

[takuyangel]

usually a lie . a gesture of reassurance and projection, as the person saying it probably just wants to hear it back. i wish it held as much meaning as it did in movies.

 

[Reeds]

It doesn't mean anything to me either! It makes other people happy though, so I guess I'm grateful how easy it is to use those words.

 

[TrulyNeverCertain]

It's really hard to pin down.
Family members seem to just say it to each other, almost like a familial greeting.

But for me, if I were to say it to someone, it would probably be to someone I deeply and truly cared about. Someone I had known for a very long time, and had an incredible amount of faith and trust in. Not really something I say because there's not someone I can honestly say it to.
Edit: So a ride-or-die best friend, or a very good romantic partner

 

[Forveleth]

"I am saying this to emotionally manipulate you into living the life I want you to live"

 

[FoxSauce]

Depends who is from
My mom doesnt mean much but idk

Somewhat over the years people over use the word.

I hit you and manipulate you but I still love you tho-

 

[kitkatt]

Words mean nothing to most. My own parents who told me they loved me did vile things to me in the name of "love". Love to me is patterns I can recall and find comfort in even when my mind is spinning. It's when my friend remembers my order at the coffee shop. It's my roommates family taking in the kid no one ever wanted and giving me my first holidays I actually felt wanted. I'll probably never have the love that I truly want the one my gay little poet heart yearns for but oh well I guess

 

[Pluto]

 

[itsgone2]

I love my child but I don't think I ever really understood love. My family didn't show it. I was likely doomed. But I think it means something else to "normal" people. They must truly love so much

 

[pax420]

Somebody wants something. It's the most miss used phrase in the English language. Right next to 'im sorry'.

 

[Karrikin]

Means everything depending on who says it.

 

[ladidabi]

Actions speak louder than words in my opinion. Anyone can say "I love you", but the question is do they mean it? If so, why do I think they do besides the fact they've said it? Most people who have told me this are either people I barely know, or someone who has treated me in a way that has really hurt me, and don't want to acknowledge their wrongdoings.

Maybe the opposite extreme but I see it like being told "I will kill you", doesn't really mean much from most people.

Love is supposed to feel safe and predictable.