Alright, folks, grab your beverage of choice (mine’s a lukewarm tea, don’t judge) and let’s talk about something we’ve all probably stumbled through at least once: the confusing maze of lust versus love.

We’ve all been there. You meet someone, and suddenly your brain decides to take a vacation to the Bahamas, leaving your hormones in charge of the entire operation. You’re thinking about them constantly, you can’t focus, and you’re convinced you’ve found your soulmate. Or, you know, maybe you just really like their hair.

So, how do you tell the difference between a full-blown love fest and a fleeting case of “wow, they’re hot?” Let’s break it down, shall we?

Lust: The Sparkly Distraction

Think of lust as that shiny object you see while walking down the street. It’s captivating, it’s exciting, and you absolutely must have it. Right now. But once you get it home, you realize it’s just a glittery keychain that’ll probably break in a week.

Symptoms of Lust:

Intense Physical Attraction: You’re basically a walking, talking thirst trap.

Rapid heartbeat and sweaty palms: You’re convinced that you’re having a heart attack, but it’s just your body’s way of saying, “Oh, pretty or handsome.”

Focus on the Superficial: You’re obsessed with their looks, their style, and that one time they said something kinda funny.

Short Term Focus: You’re living in the moment, and the moment is very sexy.

Jealousy and possessiveness: You’re like a dragon guarding its treasure, and that treasure is… well, you know.

You can’t have a conversation that lasts longer than 5 minutes that doesn’t include some kind of innuendo.

Love: The Comfy Sweater:

Love, on the other hand, is like finding that perfect, cozy sweater. It’s warm, it’s comfortable, and you just want to curl up in it forever. It’s not always flashy, but it’s reliable and makes you feel good.

Symptoms of Love:

Emotional connection: You actually want to talk about things other than what you’re having for dinner.

Respect and admiration: You appreciate their quirks, their flaws, and their questionable taste in music (okay, maybe not that last one).

Long-term focus: You’re thinking about the future, like, actual future stuff, not just what you’re doing this weekend.

Trust and security: You feel safe and supported, like you can be your weirdest self without judgment.

Shared values and goals: You’re on the same page about the important stuff, like whether pineapple belongs on pizza (spoiler alert: it does).

You can have a conversation that lasts for hours, and you don’t even notice the time passing.

The Blurry Line

Of course, it’s not always black and white. Lust can evolve into love, and sometimes love can start with a healthy dose of lust. The key is to pay attention to your feelings and be honest with yourself (and the other person).

Pro Tip: If you’re wondering whether it’s lust or love, ask yourself these questions:

Do I like them for who they are, or just for how they look?

Can I imagine a future with them beyond the next few weeks?

Do I feel comfortable being vulnerable with them?

Do I want to know more about their inner world?

If you answered “yes” to most of these, congratulations! You might just be in love. If you answered “no,” well, enjoy the ride while it lasts.

Ultimately, whether it’s lust or love, remember to have fun and be kind to yourself (and others). And if all else fails, just blame it on the hormones. They’re always up to no good.

Let me know your thoughts on this topic. I would love to hear from you.