You meet someone, and there’s a spark. You think about them all the time, you’re excited to see them, and when you’re apart, you miss them.

But is this love, or is it just infatuation?

Sometimes it’s not very clear-cut.

If you’re overwhelmed by these strong emotions and are unsure if it’s genuine love or just a fleeting passion, this article is for you.

Here’s how to recognize the signs that you’ve fallen deeply in love, according to psychology.

1) Your happiness is tied to theirs

Love is a funny thing. It makes you feel things you’ve never felt before, and it can turn your world upside down in the best possible way.

One of the most profound signs of deep love, according to psychology, is when your partner’s happiness becomes integral to your own.

You find joy in their joy, and their sadness affects you deeply.

You’re more than willing to go the extra mile just to put a smile on their face. You make sacrifices, sometimes even at your own expense, to ensure their happiness.

This isn’t just losing yourself or forgetting about your own needs. It’s genuinely caring for someone else’s well-being as much as your own.

If you’re experiencing this, it might just be a sign that you’ve fallen deeply in love.

2) You’re not afraid to show your true self

When you’re deeply in love, this fear of being truly seen—warts and all—just kind of falls away.

There’s this sense of comfort, a sense of safety that encourages you to let down your guard.

You don’t have to pretend or put on a mask. You don’t have to be perfect. You can just be you, in all your imperfect glory.

And what’s more, you trust them to see this true self—the good, the bad, and everything in between—and still choose you.

You know that they’ll accept you as you are without trying to change you or mold you into someone else.

This openness, this willingness to be vulnerable—it’s one of the most telling signs of deep love.

3) You include them in your future plans

I remember sitting down one day and planning a trip for the following year. I was looking at different destinations, imagining all the sights I would see and the experiences I would have.

And then it hit me—I was picturing all of these things with them by my side.

In every scenario, in every place I envisioned, they were there with me. They had become a part of my future, ingrained in my plans without me even realizing it.

I wasn’t just planning a trip anymore; I was planning our trip.

This wasn’t something I had experienced before. The realization took me by surprise, but there it was—a clear sign that I had fallen deeply in love.

When you start to include them in your future plans, not out of obligation but simply because you want them to be there, you want to share these experiences with them—that’s when you know it’s more than just infatuation. You’ve fallen deeply in love.

4) You start mirroring their behavior

It’s funny how love works. Sometimes, without even realizing it, you start to pick up your partner’s habits.

Maybe it’s the way they drink their coffee, slowly and deliberately, savoring every sip. Or maybe it’s the way they laugh, loud and uninhibited, like there’s no one else in the world but you two.

In psychology, this is known as mirroring—a behavior that indicates a strong bond between two people.

When you’re deeply in love, this happens as you subconsciously start to mimic the other person’s actions, their speech patterns, and even their body language.

It’s not something you consciously decide to do. It just happens. It’s your brain’s way of forming a deeper connection with your partner.

5) You’re willing to compromise

In the past, I’ve always been a bit stubborn, a bit set in my ways. I had my routines and my preferences and didn’t like to deviate from them.

But then, something changed. I met someone who made me want to bend a little.

Suddenly, it wasn’t just about what I wanted or what was comfortable for me. It was about us, about finding a middle ground where we both could be happy.

I found myself willing to compromise, to adjust my habits and routines to accommodate theirs. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to. Because their happiness mattered as much as mine.

I realized it wasn’t about losing my identity or giving up what I loved. It was about creating a shared space where we both could thrive.

When you’re deeply in love, you understand that compromise isn’t a sacrifice; it’s an investment in your relationship. It’s a sign of deep love and respect for your partner.

6) Their flaws don’t bother you

Nobody’s perfect, right? But when you’re in love, those imperfections seem to fade into the background.

I remember noticing quirks about my partner that might have annoyed me in someone else.

But with them, it was different.

Maybe they tend to ramble on a bit too much when they’re excited about something. Or maybe they’re a little too forgetful at times.

But instead of getting annoyed, I found these traits endearing. They made my partner who they are, and I wouldn’t have them any other way.

When you can embrace your partner’s flaws and still feel completely smitten, that’s a strong indication that your feelings have moved beyond superficial attraction.

7) You genuinely enjoy their company

It’s one thing to be in love, but it’s another to genuinely enjoy the company of the person you’re in love with.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve found myself looking forward to just spending time with my partner. It doesn’t matter what we’re doing. We could be going for walks, cooking dinner, or even just sitting in silence.

There’s a comfort, a sense of peace that comes with their presence. It’s like I can finally let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

This isn’t just being inseparable or abandoning your own interests. It’s finding joy in shared experiences, in the simple act of being together.

8) You can’t imagine your life without them

This is possibly the most telling sign of all:

When you start to picture your future and every single image includes them; when you think about your plans, your dreams, you can’t imagine achieving them without your partner by your side.

It’s not dependency. It’s not needing someone to complete you or make you happy. It’s wanting to share your life, all the good and bad, with this person who has become so important to you.

You start to realize that your life wouldn’t be the same without them. They’re not just a part of your life anymore; they’ve become a part of you. You’ve grown together, evolved together.

Final thoughts

If you find yourself nodding along to these signs, chances are, you’re experiencing deep love. And that’s a beautiful thing.

But it’s important to know that love isn’t just mere feelings.

It’s actions and decisions; it’s choosing to be there for someone, to share your life with them, and to respect and value them for who they are.