How to Declare Your Love to Someone [2024 Guide]

Fact-checked

Love is a wonderful feeling—possibly the best feeling in the world. But sometimes, saying ‘I love you‘ can be the most challenging word to say. If you’re in love with someone and don’t know how to express it, this guide will help you confess your feelings and admit your love for that significant other.

How to Tell Someone You Love Them - Image 1

How to Tell Someone You Love Them

I love you’ are just three little words that contain a lot of meaning; therefore, saying these words to another can be difficult. Love is hard to define. So before thinking about telling someone you love them, make sure your feelings are genuine. Then, once you’re confident about your love, determine how and when to say these words to your love.

When to Tell Someone You Love Them

Saying ‘I love you’ means different things to different people. Generally, uttering these words is a big deal for most, but some take longer than others to gather the courage to say it. So when is the right time to take the plunge?

Choosing the right time to express love is essential, as it can determine the relationship’s future trajectory. So before you tell people you love them, you should feel as if your heart will burst with love. But be careful—saying you love someone on the first date is never a good idea. Instead, consider the following questions before saying, ‘I love you’.

  • Do you know your partner well?
  • Do you trust them?
  • Do you imagine a shared future?
  • Are your feelings uncompromising, despite perceived flaws?
  • Have you shared meaningful experiences?
  • Is ‘I like you’ no longer adequate?
DID YOU KNOW? Some of the sure signs that you’re in love include constantly thinking about the other person and wanting to spend as much time as possible with them.

Tell Someone You Love Them – Dos and Don’ts

There’s more than one way to declare your love for someone. Of course, everyone expresses love differently, but there are some tried-and-true practices you can turn to when deciding to confess your love. Before voicing your confession, we’ve compiled a list of Dos and Don’ts to consider.

✔️ Love Confession Dos

How and when should you tell your better half you love them?

Directly

One of the best ways to express your love is by the direct approach—just say it out loud. In this way, you’re sure that they’ll get your message; there’s no room for confusion. It’s also viewed as brave and romantic.

Over Dinner

If you’re still ruminating about how to tell someone you love them for the first time, consider planning a dinner date. Telling that special someone you love over their favourite meal is an excellent idea—whether it’s at home or in a restaurant’s intimate ambiance, you can’t go wrong with this approach.

A Special Occasion

Telling your boyfriend or girlfriend that you love them will be even more special if you wait for a special occasion, such as an anniversary or a birthday. Then, you can make it a part of their gift or simply write it on their birthday card.

Whisper in Their Ear

Saying ‘I love you’ for the first time can be nerve-racking. So consider whispering it to make it more romantic. You can also do it as they’re falling asleep or while you’re embracing them.

After a Kiss

After sharing a kiss, say the words softly while you’re still close to them, creating a feeling of intimacy. (And you can go in for another kiss following your confession.)

Write a Note

Notes are romantic and practical. For example, you can write a sweet message and add ‘I love you’ at the end. (Make sure you leave the note somewhere visible.)

Write a Love Letter

Letters are one of the oldest ways of telling someone how you feel about them. If you’re too shy or insecure to do it face-to-face, you can always write a letter and show your affection through words. But try to avoid clichés.

Texting

Texting is not typically recommended for expressing love, but if you text while you’re both in the same room, you can observe their reaction. And you’re giving them the option to text you back. It may be cheesy, but it works.

During a Happy Time

How to tell someone you love them could first include making sure the person is in a good mood and not struggling with difficulties. You can also set the mood by playing music or lighting candles to make it extra romantic.

Use Literature’s Greatest Declarations of Love

If you’re not a wordsmith, you can always turn to literature and find an alluring quote expressing love or utilize a moving love poem. Then, you could print them out and give them as a gift.

Love Confession Don’ts

How and when should you not tell your significant other you love them?

Before, After, or During Sex

Love and lust are two different emotions and shouldn’t be confused. Although physical intimacy is one of the best ways of showing love and strengthening emotional connection, saying ‘I love you’ while you’re in the throes of intimacy (or immediately after) is not a good idea since it may leave the wrong impression.

When You’re Drunk

Although alcohol may assist in confessing our deepest thoughts and desires, it can also make us say things that we may regret in the morning. Make sure you’re not intoxicated when you say ‘I love you’ because your partner might think it’s the alcohol talking and not you.

When You Want Something

Even if you wonder how to tell someone you like them, saying it before asking them for a favor is not advisable. Otherwise, they may think your feelings for them are not genuine and that you’re only using them to get what you want.

DID YOU KNOW? Men express love differently than women. For example, one of the signs of male love is a forehead kiss. When he kisses your forehead, you can be sure that his feelings for you are deep.

Words or Actions?

Love is not proven by words or a passive feeling. It’s shown in action. If you think that saying the words ‘I love you’ is difficult, it might be even more challenging to show affection through actions. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to show love.

You’ve probably heard the saying: ‘Actions speak louder than words’. This is especially true with matters of the heart. But expressing nonverbal love is more important than saying the words themselves in many relationships. So discover ways to show your devotion that don’t involve expressions of verbal love.

How to Prove You Love Someone

Even though everyone shows love differently, we’ve created a list of the best ways of proving your love to someone.

Support

Everyone needs support in their endeavors, and when you receive it from your significant other, you can be sure that their love for you is genuine and sincere. Moreover, when you support someone, you show that you believe in them and that they can count on you.

Listen

Listening is an excellent way of expressing your love without saying a word. So when your partner has something to say, give them your undivided attention—thereby getting to know them better and providing comfort.

Spend Time With Them

If you’re asking yourself how to prove to someone you love them, keep in mind that you can’t go wrong by spending quality time with them. Make sure that you have enough time set aside for your partner and develop ideas about what to do together as a couple.

Make Them a Priority

Prioritizing your partner will show them how important they are to you and enables them to recognize your love. Once you show them they have the No.1 spot in your life, they will become more involved in the relationship and make extra efforts to keep the flame burning.

Don’t Try to Change Them

When you’re in doubt about how to tell your boyfriend you love him, remember that you don’t need to say anything. You can show your adoration by accepting him for who he is. The same applies to the opposite sex. Accepting all aspects of the other person’s character and not trying to change them proves that you love deeply and sincerely.

Compliment

Despite what people may say, everyone loves a good compliment—men too. Regardless of how long you’ve been together, throw in a compliment every once in a while. This will make them happy, and they’ll continue to feel good about themselves.

Be There

If you don’t know how to prove you love him, one of the best ways is to simply be there for him. When your better half (man or a woman) is in need, you must be there for them and help in any way you can. If there’s something you can do for them, do it; if not, just try to be comforting.

Give Space

Everyone needs time and space to focus. So make sure that you give your partner enough space to do the things that bring them joy. For example, if you want to know how to show your boyfriend you love him, give him the necessary space to be himself.

Trust

Trust is one of the most important aspects of a relationship. Showing your soulmate that you trust them will convince them of your love. In most relationships, demonstrating to the person that you trust them is more important than saying you love them.

Celebrate Achievements

When your partner completes an achievement—even a seemingly insignificant one—make an incentive to celebrate the accomplishment. This will show that you’re proud of them, and you’re with them every step of the way—the best way to tell someone you love them without saying a word.

DID YOU KNOW? Facts on love reveal that men fall in love faster than women, and they’re more likely to say ‘I love you’ first.

Your Partner’s Love Language

Everyone expresses love differently, i.e., each person uses a different love language to convey their feelings. There are five love languages, of which each person has one preferred language—although they may use more than one to express a wide range of emotions. Therefore, it’s essential to learn which love language your partner prefers and use it to show your love. Such love languages are some of the best ways to tell someone you love them.

The Five Love Languages

  1. Words of affirmation: Some often appreciate expressions of verbal love, such as ‘I love you’.
  2. Physical touch: Kissing, hugging, and cuddling are some of the best expressions of love for some. You may need to touch your partner often and engage in physical intimacy to show affection.
  3. Acts of service: These appreciate their partner going out of their way to make their lives easier—even seemingly minor, mundane tasks.
  4. Receiving gifts: Receiving a hand-picked gift shows some that their better half loves them. If you don’t know how to say you love someone, consider buying a carefully selected gift—it doesn’t need to be expensive.
  5. Quality time: Some want time and attention more than anything else. By spending quality time with your love and giving them undivided attention, you’re letting them know you love them.

Considering these five love languages enables you to observe your soulmate and learn their preferred language. Then, you can show your love in a way they will appreciate the most.

DID YOU KNOW? Showing interest in what the other person has to say is one of the best ways to make someone fall in love with you.

Conclusion

It takes courage to tell someone you love them. So it’s essential to wait for the right time and the right way to say it. If you decide you don’t want to say it in words, you can tailor your actions to show them your love. They’ll get the message. But the most critical concern is that your feelings are genuine and sincere, coming from the heart.

FAQ

How can I express that I truly love someone?

Besides saying ‘I love you’, there are plenty of things you can do to show someone you love them—support, listen, celebrate, and be there for them when they need you.

What can I say instead of ‘I love you’?

Instead of ‘I love you’, you could say (among other words):

  • I appreciate you.
  • You complete me.
  • You’re my favorite person.
  • I respect you.
How do you tell someone you love them deeply?

If you’re unsure how to tell someone you love them deeply, show them by using their preferred love language. Your actions will express the depth of your love.

ABOUT AUTHOR

I've loved writing since I can remember, and back in high school, I started loving psychology as well. So I majored in it while dabbling in spirituality and yoga on the side.

Latest from Jelena

5 Must-Have Spiritual Tools You Can Use for Daily Spiritual Practices Why Do I Twitch When I Sleep? [Common Reasons Explained] What Is Past Life Regression & How to Do It 7 Symptoms of Negative Energy at Home

Leave a Reply