When a guy falls in love, he experiences a range of powerful emotions unlike anything else he has felt before. Love brings out deep feelings of attachment, passion, and euphoria in men that can be thrilling and terrifying at the same time. While the experience of love is universal, how men process and express these complex emotions can vary greatly depending on the individual. In this article, we will explore some of the most common thoughts, feelings, and behaviors guys tend to exhibit when they find themselves falling head over heels.
Feelings of euphoria and intense passion
One of the hallmark signs a man is in love is that he feels elated and euphoric around the person he cares for. When he sees her, hears her voice, or even thinks about her when apart, his pulse quickens and he gets butterflies in his stomach. Everything about the relationship feels exciting and new in the beginning stages of love. The man feels energized, optimistic, and experiences a natural high when he is with his romantic interest. Love brings out a sense of passion, desire, and intensity he may not have felt with previous partners. The new relationship makes him feel alive and gives him a thrilling rush he wants to hold onto.
Powerful feelings of attachment
Along with passion, a man falling in love also starts to feel deep attachment towards his partner. He wants to be physically close, share secrets, and have meaningful conversations about the future. There is a sense of “us against the world” that makes him feel intensely connected and protective over the woman he loves. Whereas casual dating partners are easily interchangeable, the man in love feels his partner is wholly unique and irreplaceable. His feelings of possessiveness and attachment grow as the relationship progresses. He starts to prioritize her over other aspects of his life. Making her happy becomes just as important (if not more so) than his own happiness.
Feelings of nervousness and vulnerability
Despite the joy of new love, the experience can also make men feel quite vulnerable and anxious. These emotions arise because love requires them to move past their typical emotional guardedness and open up at the risk of getting hurt. They start to feel nervous about messing up, losing the person they care about, or having their heart broken. Men in love experience nagging doubts about whether they are “good enough” for their partner or if the relationship will last. After being abandoned or betrayed in past relationships, the fear of intimacy may also rear its ugly head. These anxious thoughts are completely normal, even though the euphoric feelings of being in love heavily outweigh them.
The constant desire to be around their love interest
When a man falls for someone, he wants to be in her presence as much as possible. Texting, calling, and planning dates are at the top of his mind all the time. Men feel happiest when they are physically with the woman they love, but even short separations make them antsy. This intense desire for togetherness is biological in nature. Love activates reward centers in the male brain, so they start craving proximity and physical closeness with their partner. It provides a sense of security against the vulnerabilities mentioned earlier. The more time they spend together, the closer the emotional bond.
Feelings of protectiveness and provision
Men often feel compelled to protect and provide for the woman they love. Seeing her upset or in any kind of distress mobilizes an innate desire to make things right. He feels protective over both her physical and emotional well-being. If she is sad, he brings her comfort. If she is in danger, he keeps her safe. Making sure her needs are met becomes a primary motivator. He also may feel pressured to financially provide by paying for dates, gifts, and other expenditures. Even if she is perfectly capable of providing for herself, he feels drawn to take care of her needs. It ties back to his deeply rooted feelings of attachment and desire to make her happy.
Idealization of their romantic interest
The euphoria of new love often brings about idealization of the romantic partner. The man in love tends to put his partner on a pedestal and view her through rose-colored glasses. He overlooks her flaws and shortcomings. In his mind, she can do no wrong. While this intense phase of idealization is common, it may set up unrealistic expectations that cause problems down the road. As the initial rush of euphoria fades, the flaws become more apparent. Men must be careful not to over-idealize in the early stages of a relationship.
Jealous thoughts and competition
Since love makes men feel vulnerable, it can also stir up jealousy over any perceived threats. They may worry about other men trying to win over their partner. Or feel jealous when she spends time with friends and family instead of him. Even harmless interactions with the opposite sex may provoke irrational jealousy. Essentially the man feels he is in competition with anyone else who vies for her attention. These jealous feelings tend to settle down as trust and security in the relationship builds over time. But at the start, men may be very wary of competitors even if it is all in their head.
The desire to be a better man
One impactful effect love has on men is the desire to better oneself. They want to impress their partner and live up to her expectations. She inspires him to set goals, work on flaws, and ultimately become the best possible version of himself. He strives to make positive changes like quitting bad habits, developing meaningful hobbies, and focusing on the future. While the motivation comes from external validation, becoming a good partner ultimately builds his self-esteem. Having a supportive, loving relationship gives him strength. The stability empowers him to pursue new challenges and opportunities.
Conclusion
Falling in love elicits a rollercoaster of thoughts and feelings for men. It brings out deep feelings of passion, desire, attachment, protectiveness, jealousy, and vulnerability most have never experienced before to this degree. While the euphoric feelings of new love predominantly win out, the experience makes men feel nervous, competitive, and fearful of getting hurt at the same time. But for all its complexities, being in love certainly makes men feel more alive and gives them a sense of purpose. Despite the challenges, most men find the experience wholly worthwhile, especially when love motivates them to become the best version of themselves.