THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES

The Five love languages are different ways you can use to express and receive love, people are different therefore you find that they tend to communicate love in different ways, just like they have different ways they receive love. The concept of love languages was developed by Gary Chapman in his book ‘The five love languages’, in his book he describes five unique ways of communicating love, these were derived from his own experience in marriage counselling and linguistics. We all may relate differently to these love languages but each of us has one that speaks to us the most.

WORDS OF AFFIRMATION

This is a way of expressing your affection through spoken words, praise or appreciation. If this is your love language you tend to enjoy kind words or being encouraged. You tend to value verbal acknowledgement including frequent ‘I love you’, compliments, you will also find yourself appreciating sweet text messages.

PHYSICAL TOUCH

People who have physical touch as a primary love language feels most loved when physical affection is present, apart from showing affection through sex, people with this form of language tend to appreciate simple gesture’s like holding hands, touching their arm, kissing and cuddling they feel most loved if it is expressed in this manner by their partner. Physical affection can be very affirming and serves as a powerful emotional connector.

QUALITY TIME

People with quality time as a primary love language feel most appreciated by their partner when their partner always wants to spend time with them by hanging out, this is about getting your partners undivided attention without distractions such as television, phone or anything that could be considered an outside hinderance.

GIFTS

You feel most loved when your partner gifts you with things, these represent visual symbols of love, people with gifts as a love language usually appreciate and value the gift giving process, they tend to recognize that it is not about how much was spent n the gift but how much thought went into the gift. They enjoy being gifted something that is physical and meaningful.

ACTS OF SERVICE

When acts of service is your love language you value when your partner goes out of their way for you and tries by al means to make life easier for you, it is simple things like bringing you breakfast in bed, running your bath for you, such gestures make you feel loved. This one is for people who believe actions speak louder than words, they want you to show them just how much you care for me as opposed to you just saying it.

Knowing you love language is important but It is also important to get to know the love language that your partner responds to, one common mistake people tend to make is assume your partner receives love in the same way you do and it can get frustrating because you might be putting in a lot of effort but might not get the reaction you were hoping for, many usually make this mistake and you might begin to feel as though your partner is not fully appreciating your efforts, so earning how to love them in their own language is cardinal.