It is difficult for you to say "I love you"?

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

Not necessarily in a romantic way.

I find it extremely difficult to say, and I rarely say it to my wife or other people. Instead I say them that I "wish them well" which in my language is a lighter version of "I love you".

However I want to let a certain person know that I really love them - in a familial way - as if they are part of my family, but I block myself every time. Some day...

[petitedollbabee]

After being close to death at 19 with my organs shutting down, I realised that if my loved ones ever heard one last thing from me before I left, I would want it to be “I love you”. So now I always remind my family members that I love them everytime I see them. I let my friends know how important they are in my life, and how much I appreciate them, every time I see them. I tell my partner everyday that I love him. And I always tell my cat that I love her before I go to sleep, and when I leave the house.


I used to find it awkward saying “I love you”, and I never said it to anyone or anything other than partners before that near death experience, but since then I’ve realised that I could die at any moment, and I want my loved ones to know what they mean to me before I go. That sort of experience really changes your views and mindset about some things.

[blueonblack22]

When I hear “I love you” to me it’s a pledge of loyalty. But from experiences women typically say this to express an emotion they are just feeling in the moment. That’s why it’s so frightening to men to hear that, want to believe it and reciprocate. That phrase has a much deeper meaning for us and I only say that to very few people (rather it’s platonic or romantic).

Women really need to understand the difference on that what a pledge of loyalty means vs just expressing an “emotion”. If you tell a guy “I love you” and treat like shit a weeks/months later he’s going to remember what you said earlier. But in that moment the only thing that is “your truth” is just your emotion right?

I still remember the day one of my exes broke up with me. I asked her “hey Andrea do you ever wonder why I had a hard time reciprocating when you said I love you? Because one day you might do THIS to me.” She cried crocodile tears after that.

[mobiusforniner]

Yes. My family never said it growing up. Was viewed as being too emotionally touchy feely. We would substitute other phrases like "be safe" as a parting gesture.

So for me to say it, it feels very unnatural. Love is a very personal and powerful emotion thats demonstrated via my actions rather than words. If im at a position where I use those three words, whether verbally or, perhaps even more intimately, via writing; I mean it.

I can only think of three people in my lifetime whom I ever said it to.

[Lynnfriend]

No but I am a woman and it is more acceptable for woman than for men because of the roles they both play. I find it harder for men to say. But if you say it too much it just becomes a word. A person can tell how you feel by your actions alone but it is nice to hear once in awhile. Don't over due it.

[OlderAndWiser]

I did not hear it very often when I was a child, but I vowed that I would overcome that deficit in my early years, and I have been successful with this. Now I have no problem telling my Chinese girlfriend "Wǒ ài nǐ!"

[Flower7]

Yes, it is. It feels awkward, uncomfortable, and unnatural. My family members very rarely said it when I was growing up and it feels foreign to me.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

Same.

[pinkflamingo92]

Maybe if you don’t feel comfortable saying I love you just let them know you really appreciate them and consider them like family… we grew up practically saying I love you to the mailman (not really) but it was said a lot so I always try to find other things to say besides I love you… I think appreciation and letting them know they are important to you means a lot too… now romantically a girl probably will want to hear those words eventually lol

[UniquelyBasic]

It doesn't come naturally to me. Its oddly difficult to say for me even to people who I do actually care about like family. It doesn't seem that crazy to hear but saying it myself it feels weird.

[Daniela1982]

Sometimes it's easier using other methods.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/JpVDuemlW4Q

[Anonymous]

Yeah it is. We don't really say that in my family, and we don't give words of affirmation really. So when someone is very affectionate with words... it gets uncomfortable for me.

And I'm very bad at giving words of affirmation, even more so do I rarely say "I love you."

I have also been very unsure of whether or not I did love them or how I could be sure. It's something I struggle with. Afraid a part of me is aromantic. But I don't know...

[SeriouslyFunny00]

No, but it's difficult to find a guy who deserves to hear it from me. Jk 😜

But I do say those three words to my family and besties.

[Anonymous]

Well when me and my boyfriend first started dating I wasn't ready to say I love you and since we started dating during the summer we would just text because we couldn't see each other because of his job anyway when he'd tell me he loves me I would write love the other way l-u-v and I think it took me about 3 or 4 months before I was ready to actually "I love you"

[Echosoul]

It depends on who I'm talking to. My dad or mum (rest in peace regards the latter), no issues. A romantic partner, I'm more cautious about saying it if I don't truly mean it. That said I've only ever had (past tense) one girlfriend.

[Anemone978]

I used to have a hard time saying it to even my parents, it just felt uncomfortable.. but now I can say it to everyone even if i don't mean it.

[Sorrento-Sun]

I wear my heart on my sleeve. I'm very open and honest about my feelings for people. So telling someone I love them is easy for me to say.

[melanieeeB]

No it's not but I have never said it to a partner, just cause for me the words have a meaning and I don't use them loosely

[Anonymous]

definitely, no one in my family were really affectionate when i was younger, i love my friends and family but i've never outright said it to my family, for some reason it's slightly easier with friends but also awkward

[pupluv45]

its only difficult to say in Asian cultures. not in any other culture

[dustybiker]

Never had to think about it. Always has come out naturally.

[sirderpsalot123]

Not at all. There might have been a time when I thought it was weird with friends, but now that I don't see them as often, I always tell them that I love and appreciate them.

[Heolurt]

It's not possible for me to say that ever with the intent of actually meaning it, I don't believe in it, how could I, I've never been shown it in my life, so to me it doesn't exist and so I can't say something I don't believe.

[exitseven]

It took me a really long time to work up the nerve to say it the first time but after that it was not as scary.

[Anonymous]

I don't say it often, but I mean it when I say it. I tell my mom and dad I love them, I also tell my two best friends and my boyfriend I love them.

[Opinion Owner]

Ah, and I tell my dog I love him too, haha.

[TrueConfection]

I can say it, but I don't say it easily. I mean it when I say it and it's special.

[Caramelpie]

I say it all the time to my guy but to other people I find it a bit hard, so i show them my love through actions.

[SlavicThor]

I find it very hard haha. I only ever say it when someone says it to me first...

[Agape93]

Nope. If I love you then I'll tell you.

[Anonymous]

Yes and no. I don't think it's difficult to if I find a woman worthy of it. Therein lies the problem.😂😂😂

[NathanDavis]

nope...

it's genuine

[SweetTwistedSatanist]

No but it's hard to get to that point!

[SnowedIn]

Not difficult at all.

[FunkyMonkee]

It is? I never had any problem saying it!!

[FilmGuy93]

It's not difficult for me, no.

[alcorriher]

I've never said ily to any guy.

[LiamJHayden]

No, but I won't say it unless I mean it.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

As a multi-tongue speaker, no problem.

[Anonymous]

No, it's only words.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Nope.

[LavLavLuv]

Nope..