Feeling love can be elusive, especially if certain behaviors are blocking the way.

If you’re finding it hard to recall the last time you truly felt loved, it’s time to examine your habits.

Bidding adieu to these seven behaviors could be the key to unlocking love in your life again.

In this article, I’ll help you identify and let go of these behaviors, using simple language and a conversational style.

Ready to say goodbye and welcome love back into your life? Keep reading.

If you can’t remember the last time you felt love, say goodbye to these 7 behaviors

1) Self-criticism

We’ve all heard the saying, “We are our own worst critics.”

Unfortunately, when it comes to love, this can be a substantial roadblock.

Constant self-criticism can prevent us from accepting and feeling love from others. It’s hard to believe someone else could love us when we’re constantly telling ourselves we’re not good enough.

This behavior is deeply ingrained in many of us and often stems from experiences in our past. But self-criticism is just a habit, not a truth.

The first step in overcoming this behavior is awareness. Notice when you’re being overly critical of yourself.

Recognize that these thoughts are not facts, but merely perceptions. Then challenge them with positive affirmations and self-love.

Letting go of self-criticism can open the door to experiencing and accepting love in a new way. 

2) Fear of vulnerability

I’ve always been someone who prided myself on my independence. “I can handle this on my own,” was a common mantra of mine.

But what I didn’t realize was that this mindset was blocking me from feeling love. I was so focused on being strong and independent that I built walls around myself.

And let’s be honest, it’s scary to open up and let someone else in. It means risking rejection, disappointment, and heartbreak.

But here’s the thing I’ve learned – love requires vulnerability.

It took me a while to understand this. I had to learn to break down those walls and allow myself to be seen, flaws and all.

And guess what? Not only did this invite more love into my life, but it also deepened the relationships I already had.

3) Holding onto past hurts

When we’ve been hurt in the past, it’s natural to want to protect ourselves from experiencing that kind of pain again. But did you know that our brain has a negativity bias?

This means it tends to remember and hold onto negative experiences more strongly than positive ones.

This survival mechanism helps us avoid danger, but when it comes to love, it can keep us trapped in the past.

Holding onto past hurts can close us off to new experiences of love. We might find ourselves expecting the worst or viewing potential partners through the lens of our past pain.

To truly open ourselves up to feeling love again, we need to let go of these past hurts.

This doesn’t mean forgetting or minimizing what happened, but rather learning from it and moving forward.

4) Overthinking

Overthinking can be a major love blocker.

When we overanalyze every word, action, and situation, we create stress and anxiety that can obstruct the free flow of love in our lives.

This behavior often stems from a fear of making mistakes or getting hurt.

But in reality, it only leads to unease and confusion, hindering our ability to connect with others on a deeper level.

The key to overcoming this is practicing mindfulness. By staying present in the moment, we can respond authentically rather than reacting based on imagined scenarios or past experiences.

Love is not found in the endless cycle of overthinking but in the quiet moments of connection and understanding.

So next time you find yourself overanalyzing, take a deep breath and return to the present moment. 

5) Avoiding emotional discomfort

I’ve always been a person who prefers to keep things light and positive. I used to avoid uncomfortable emotions like sadness, fear, or anger, believing that they had no place in a happy life.

But over time, I realized that this avoidance was actually preventing me from experiencing love fully.

Emotions are a part of our human experience, and they all serve a purpose. Even the uncomfortable ones. They show us where we need healing, growth, or change.

By avoiding emotional discomfort, we limit our capacity to feel and express love.

We might miss out on opportunities to connect with others on a deeper level because these connections often come from shared vulnerabilities.

Embracing all emotions, not just the pleasant ones, allows us to experience love in all its fullness and depth.

6) Lack of self-care

When life gets busy, it’s often self-care that falls by the wayside. But neglecting our own needs can have a significant impact on our ability to feel love.

When we don’t take care of ourselves physically, emotionally, and mentally, we deplete our resources and have less to give to others. We might also start to feel unlovable or unworthy, which can create a barrier to receiving love.

Self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and spa days. It’s about nourishing ourselves in whatever ways we need, whether that’s rest, healthy food, exercise, time alone, or connection with others.

By prioritizing self-care, we send a message to ourselves that we are worth taking care of.

This can boost our self-esteem and open us up to receiving love from others. 

7) Not believing in love

If there’s one thing I want you to know, it’s this: Belief is powerful.

If we don’t truly believe that we’re deserving of love, or that love exists for us, we’re unlikely to experience it.

This disbelief can act as a self-fulfilling prophecy, blocking love from our lives.

Believing in love doesn’t mean ignoring the realities of heartbreak and disappointment. It means understanding that love, in all its forms, is a fundamental part of the human experience.

Love is not just something that happens to us. It’s also a choice we make every day.

Final thoughts