7 Times When ‘I Love You’ Just Isn’t Enough

Love is a unique feeling and one that most guys will get to experience at least once in their life. The first time you say those words, ”I love you,” it feels like paradise. There is a popular song that starts with the lyrics, ”You look at me, girl, and you take me to another place. Got me flying, got me feeling like outer space.” That sums up how you feel when you’ve connected in a deeper way with someone you want to spend every minute with.

Love is amazing, but it’s not enough to sustain a relationship. Healthy relationships have lots of love but need communication, trust, honesty, and many other factors to overcome the difficulties that will undoubtedly arise. There are things you can do when you saying, ”I love you” just isn’t enough. Here are seven things to avoid in any relationship.

1. When you’ve had an affair.

There are many beautiful people in the world, and the reality is that you will be attracted to more than the person you love. Attraction and looking is one thing acting on those feelings crosses the line and destroys love. An affair doesn’t end every relationship, but it’s a surefire way to ruin the beautiful love you share with someone special. You are a strong, confident man; you can avoid having an affair. Situations happen, but they don’t have to happen if you are willing to do the hard work that makes your relationship last.

2. When you’ve consistently let jealousy take control.

Jealousy is selfishness disguised as a valid reaction to perceived things in your relationship. Jealousy is the opposite of confidence and turns your partner off. Jealousy isn’t just about your partner being with someone else; you can be jealous of their time and much more. Love means you put your partner and their needs above your own at times. It means you give them space to be an individual. It means that you are confident in your love and don’t focus on any potentially relationship-ending scenario. You concentrate on being your partner’s best friend, lover, and family.

3. When you’ve become physical.

There is NO justifiable reason to get physical with your partner. Abuse is the opposite of love and shouldn’t be an option in your mind and heart. Saying ”I love you” isn’t enough and doesn’t justify this kind of violation. At the moment when you feel rage taking over, step away. Close your eyes and breath deeply. Don’t do something you regret because you lost control  that’s not love.

4. When you’ve exhausted all options to save the relationship.

You have worked hard to overcome the problems in your relationship. You have been a good man and given all your love to this person, but you have to get honest. No matter what you do and say, it’s obvious this person doesn’t want to give the same effort; ”I love you” isn’t enough. Be honest with yourself and make the hard choice that may lead to happiness later.

5. When you’ve fallen in love with someone else.

Love starts as a feeling, but mature love is a decision. That means you can decide to give into lust or feelings and fall in love with someone else. Maybe it’s something that’s missing in your relationship; maybe your partner is pushing you away. Whatever the reason, you have fallen for someone else and telling your partner ”I love you” is not enough to save the relationship.

6. When you’ve completely let yourself go.

Being a confident man comes from being the best version of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. You’re committed to being strong in every area of your life. In relationships, it’s easy to get comfortable and let yourself go. This doesn’t just mean gaining weight; it means losing the motivation that was so sexy when your partner met you. Saying ”I love you” won’t justify you not wanting to do what it takes to be a man. Commit to constant and consistent growth in every area of your life.

7. When you’ve given up on your sex life.

Sex is not the most important part of a relationship, but it is important. A lack of sex leads to all kinds of problems in relationships and ultimately breaks love. I can’t tell you how often you should be having sex or what you should be doing in the bedroom; I can only tell you that you need an active and healthy sex life. Saying ”I love you” won’t save your relationship if your sex life isn’t healthy.

Love is special. Love is amazing, and a feeling that makes life bearable during the hard times. Don’t ruin that love by doing things you can avoid. You may have been given a second and even a third chance, but that doesn’t guarantee more opportunities forever. Sometimes love isn’t enough to overcome things that shouldn’t happen in a relationship.