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

[Rahat]

Compassion and protectiveness. It means "It hurts me when you are cornered and treated unfairly, and I wont let it happen in front of my eyes"

 

[K14~♡]

Love has always been a topic that interested me, but man I realize now that "I love you" never really meant anything to me...I think I'm able to feel and see the other person's feelings clearer through actions and more specific words instead

The only thing I've learned is that "I love you" should be repeated back when it's said to you (platonically and familial), otherwise it's rude I guess...

 

[Wishingfordeath]

Nobody will ever love me

 

[SatinSoul]

The meaning can be vastly different and impactful depending on whom the person saying it is and how they say it. The meaning is impossible to generalize.

 

[The Dead Line]

Sex and rarely care

 

[NotWorthLiving]

An empty promise

 

[dhk96]

It makes me feel uncomfortable whether it's said by a family member or someone online (usually in a superficial, casual manner) because I hate myself and my existence.

Same with compliments or any words of affirmation because they primarily reinforce my self-hatred, shame, guilt, and anxiety.

I also threw those words around way too casually online when I was still pretending to be okay/happy-go-lucky which I regret.

On days where I am less guilty about my existence and the anger/resentment take over, something like "I love you" (rarely ever said) from my parents feels like an attack. What do you mean you Iove me? I wouldn't have had to suffer if you hadn't given birth to me. You don't love me when you don't want to understand how I feel, much less ever have the complete capacity to. I can't change. And thinking it's my fault or that I won't allow myself change is proof enough that you don't love me. You only love your idea of normalcy and familyhood. And I don't care that you're human and can make human mistakes, Dad. You shouldn't have responded with "I didn't choose you either" when I told you "it's your fault I exist" and "I didn't choose to exist." Fuck you. You had the choice to keep your pants on. I had absolutely nothing. As brief and random as that moment was, I'm never going to forget it. And Mom, if you're always going to side with my sister anyway, you don't love me either. I wish you'd just let me die instead of caring one moment and not another.