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  • Love and obsession.

  • It can sometimes go hand in hand, especially in a new and exciting relationship and can be perfectly normal.

  • But where does the line start to blur?

  • How do you know when things have gone too far?

  • Here are five comparisons between love and obsession. Let's find out.

  • Number one, you need constant contact with little space.

  • Where are you? - I'm at the grocery store.

  • (A few moments later.)

  • Where are you? - Still at the grocery store.

  • (A few moments later.)

  • Have you left? - It may take me a while.

  • Hurry, I need to see you now.

  • Keeping tabs on where your partners at and if they're all right, is a healthy sign of love.

  • However, it begins to creep more into obsessive territory if you find that you need to constantly be in contact with this person.

  • Even leaving them for a short amount of time is problematic and unbearable.

  • Boundaries and space are important in loving relationships and lacking either of these can be unhealthy.

  • It's possible to find your partner to be your everything,

  • but when you need to know their every thought, move or action, it can put a lot of pressure on them and hurt you in the process as well.

  • Number two, you don't truly want them to succeed.

  • Guess what?

  • I might just get that promotion I've been working so hard for.

  • Oh wow, that's great news.

  • I have to hang up now, I got to tell my best friend. I'm so excited.

  • But a tiny voice in your head is wishing they lose out on that promotion or break up with a long-term friend.

  • Maybe more of an obsession than love.

  • Loving relationships come with a lot of support for one another to succeed.

  • Obsession, however, limits this.

  • Even though they showed vehement support when first told about that promotion, deep inside, they didn't quite appreciate the notion.

  • Limiting your partner's success could mean that they're less likely to leave you.

  • But as they say, partners in love with each other will work to support each other and celebrate their successes and try to find solutions if problems arise.

  • Number three, your conversations are surface-level.

  • Is there supposed to be any particular criterion for conversations? Not really.

  • However, conversations with your partner should be rich, lively and deep.

  • But in the case of obsession, you may not care to get that deep with your partner.

  • Conversations may be flirty, but they generally don't go much farther than that.

  • You don't necessarily find anything other than the other person's presence interesting.

  • Often the conversations are kept at a surface level.

  • Whereas loving relationships have more of those deeper conversations where you get to know them for them.

  • Number four, you give a lot of yourself.

  • How far are you willing to go for them? Why are you willing to go that far for them?

  • Have you ever given this aspect of thought?

  • Obsessive relationships can mean that you give more of yourself than you should.

  • You may find yourself going out of your way, your boundaries or even your financial means to please your partner.

  • This isn't necessarily out of love for the person, but for their approval.

  • In general, the relationship is uneven and the give-and-take aspect isn't there.

  • It revolves more around you being extra careful to not miss anything that may cause them to feel upset.

  • And the sad part is, it's only you who seems to care.

  • Number five, you have no long-term goals.

  • Have you considered your relationship jointly with them a few years down the line?

  • Are they willing to take things long-term or does the conversation just never go there?

  • Loving relationships are often characterized by planning for the future and including the other person in these plans.

  • For obsession, however, these plans simply don't exist or go that far.

  • The relationship will tend to be insecure and it can be hard to predict what the long term will look like.

  • Love and obsession can look similar and sometimes go hand in hand; however, the two are actually very different.

  • Whether or not you're dealing with a mental health disorder or simply problems in a relationship, talking with a professional is a great first step to figuring out ways to improve your situation.

  • Did you recognize any of these signs?

  • What are some other indicators for obsession that come to mind?

  • Share your ideas with us in the comment section and don't forget to like and subscribe.

  • Thanks for hanging with us and see you soon.

Love and obsession.

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