Saying "I love you" without meaning

[Sir Robbins]

Have you ever said "I love you" when you didn't mean it? Perhaps someone said it to you and it would be weird to not say it back? That has been my situation for several years.... Love was nothing but pain, suffering and abuse in my childhood which is why I live without it now and some relatives have a tendency to end conversations via the phone or in departing in person with the phrase and I feel awkward if I don't say it back.

How would you respond or do any of you experience this?

 

[snoopy500]

Have you ever said "I love you" when you didn't mean it? Perhaps someone said it to you and it would be weird to not say it back? That has been my situation for several years.... Love was nothing but pain, suffering and abuse in my childhood which is why I live without it now and some relatives have a tendency to end conversations via the phone or in departing in person with the phrase and I feel awkward if I don't say it back.

How would you respond or do any of you experience this?

I have said it before and not meant it. Kinda have experienced everything you did. It would feel strange if I never said it back.

 

[Inkachu]

I went through a period of some number of years when I didn't say "I love you" to anyone because I was so deeply scarred and damaged. I don't think you should let social pressure make you say it if you don't mean it. When someone would say it to me, if I didn't feel I could say it back, I just responded with "OK".

 

[ValleyGal]

Right now you equate love with abuse. But love is not abusive. Take some time to heal, study God's loving nature and what love really is, so you can separate true love from the abuse that you experienced. Once you separate the two, you will then be able to say "I love you" to those you know you love, based on God's good love and not the abuse.

 

[Inkachu]

For me, it just took time.. and I mean, a lot of time, as in years.. and I just had to be patient and allow myself to heal. I imagine it's the same scenario for the OP. It's not something you can just think about or talk about and you're instantly changed. Try to learn to be OK with who you are, even the damaged parts of yourself. Be patient with yourself, and kind to the vulnerable and tender areas of your heart. Don't let people tell you what you should do in regards to your healing process. Stay close to the Lord and be patient. I can't say that enough. Be patient.

 

[Sir Robbins]

I've always equated it to pain. It's all I know. Been going on well over a decade....

 

[Inkachu]

I know how you feel, Sir.

I just want you to know that this isn't what love is. And that you can heal from this, and your life can get better, and you can learn to love and trust people again.

*hugs*