Saying “I love you” is a monumental step. But can you express it without saying it outright? Here are 13 ways to express your love without using words.
In this day and age, the profession of love has taken the form of a
narcissistic attention-grabber. You might have seen at least one of the
countless viral videos featuring flash mob wedding proposals, or
elaborately-staged skits for some dude to confess his feelings for a
girl he has liked since elementary school. Nowadays, it seems
romanticism screams to be heard and will, at times, demand an audience
to be appreciated.
Taking a different approach
While large gestures are considered sweet, because our standards for
affection require leaving cheeks blushed and hearts racing, you don’t
really need a film production company or a gang of agreeable buddies to
make your love known.
There is a kind of love that is silent but true—the kind that doesn’t
scream for attention, but whispers gently. That is the kind of love
that is felt even if it goes unsaid. We are all familiar with the saying
“Actions speak louder than words.” Here are some simple, yet
meaningful gestures to let your actions show your special someone that
you truly care.
#1 Listen to your special someone fully and sincerely.
Communication is the backbone of a strong relationship and
communication is not possible if you don’t listen. It could be something
as simple as listening to your partner when they tell you how their day
went, or listening to something you might find uninteresting or
repetitive.
The act of listening is bonding with your partner in and of itself,
as it lets you get to know them better. So sit back, don’t interrupt,
and listen—even if you’ve heard the story many times over.
#2 Make time for your special someone. Time is the
most precious thing you can offer to a person you love. The gesture
becomes more meaningful if you give what little time you have left for
yourself to your significant other. Giving them the best of your time,
even if you have a tight schedule, makes them feel loved and
prioritized.
#3 Be patient and cut them some slack. There are
times that your partner may act or think irrationally. This could mean
that they are under stress, or going through something difficult that
you are unaware of. If this happens, give them some space, and don’t
become confrontational. If your partner snaps at you for no reason, stay
calm, and offer a smile and a reassuring hug.
#4 Surprise them every now and then. You don’t need a
special occasion to surprise your special someone, nor does the
surprise need to be expensive or elaborate. Small surprises such as a
hearty breakfast after waking up from an exhausting night, or taking
over some chores could make your special someone feel loved.
Maybe you could send her flowers and a note one day just for the heck
of it, or let your partner arrive home to find packed bags and plane
tickets for an impromptu vacation. Get creative!
#5 Stay in touch. As mentioned above, communication
is an essential part of a strong relationship. Staying in touch doesn’t
mean just staying updated with what the other is doing, but making a
conscious effort to be involved with your significant other and their
daily goings-on. Send a quick text to let your girlfriend know you are
thinking of her, or slip a brief note into your boyfriend’s pocket.
#6 Offer massages and foot rubs. There is nothing
more comforting than your partner giving you a soothing massage or foot
rub after a long day. You could use this time to catch up and chat or,
if you’re the daring type, you could escalate the harmless physical
therapy into something more erotic.
#7 Give more kisses and hugs. Physical forms of
affection *such as a surprise kiss or hug* never fail to make your
special someone feel loved even without saying, “I love you.” Using
these in random, mundane situations will also increase their
significance.
Your display of affection could be something as simple as a kiss
before going to work, or a welcoming hug when your partner comes home
after a long day. You could also ambush your boyfriend with a spooning
hug when you come across him in the hallway, or randomly give your lady a
peck while doing chores together.
#8 Take part in their interests. Couples often have
activities that their significant other finds boring and uninteresting.
Sometimes, they might abandon these activities for your sake. So why not
turn the tables and surprise your partner by taking part in their
interests—even if you’re not into it? Not only do you send the message
that you’re willing to do something you hate, you also get in some good
bonding time. Who knows? You might discover that the activity is
agreeable, after all.
#9 Cook for your lover. For many working couples,
cooking is something done on special occasions such as Christmas and
Thanksgiving, or during weekends when you have more time. Cooking your
partner’s favorite meal *or something they’ve been craving* would make
both them and their stomach feel loved.
There’s a wealth of ideas for preparing special meals: you could make
a hearty breakfast, a lunch box with a love note, or a candle-lit
dinner ready to eat when your partner returns from work. You don’t need
to be an expert chef, but you could take it one step further by
practicing the recipe until you’ve perfected it.
#10 Do the chores that both of you hate doing. In
this case, express your love in the form of a sweet surrender. Couples
living together often have that one chore that both avoid doing as much
as possible. It could be cleaning up the pet’s litter, taking the dog to
the vet, taking out the trash, or airing out and cleaning up the
basement. Surprise your partner by taking the initiative and doing said
nasty chore—and reap the rewards of their affection.
#11 Do simple favors. Similar to the previous point,
you could express your care by doing stuff that they’ve forgotten or
set aside due to their schedule. Perhaps a broken phone needs to be sent
to the tech shop, or a laptop needs rebooting, or bills need filing, or
something they’ve forgotten needs to be delivered. Demonstrate that
you’re a reliable partner who can cover for them in times of need.
#12 Support your partner. Real support is not only
encouraging, but makes your presence felt regardless of how your
relationship might turn out. Supporting your partner includes giving
encouragement when they are in doubt, providing your wisdom by either
approving or dissenting opinion, and being there to comfort them in
times of failure.
#13 Go the extra mile during sex. This is pretty
self-explanatory. Sex is the most intimate form of bonding in existence,
and you can make it more special by taking the lead and learning new
bedroom tricks. You could do something simple by trying new kinks from
the sex shop, engaging in role-play, or having sex in new and exciting
places to rekindle your passion for each other.
True love is in the small details, and can be conveyed by simple
gestures. You do not need to spend a lot of money or come up with fancy
gimmicks to make your partner feel loved.
As long as you’re there and they know that they can rely on
you to keep them safe and happy, rest assured that you will be
expressing your love without words.
