Maybe love isn't real

Does anyone else know what it feels like not to love anybody? Not even the people you're "supposed" to love, like family and friends. Everything I thought was love turned out to be something quite different in my life, and what I thought love was supposed to be -- when I thought I had that -- it was fake; it had become for me everything I thought I wanted, yet it was all a lie. There may have been a time when I was loved, but I can't remember what that felt like; I know what it looked like, but I can't find the feelings; and I can't be sure it was love either.

I'm always being told to love myself, but I don't know how; I don't know what it feels like. I'm left not knowing if I've ever loved or been loved, but knowing that I do not love nor feel any love from others now. I guess it's better than being lied to, but at this point, nothing is likely to change; I can never trust anyone to not cause pain, to let me feel safe.

I want to believe in love, but I think maybe there is no such thing.

[Unclebuck455]

Wow, your question really struck a cord with me. I absolutely know exactly what it feels like not to love anyone. I feel bad that I don't. I'm sure people love me even though they never say it. Except my drunk buddies. They tell me all the time. It's hard to remember a time that I felt love.

[Hidden]

Oh! It exists! Keep looking 🌞

[Hidden]

I'm sorry I can't advise as I have felt love. Maybe someone else will be better for you x

[hurtingheart1]

I know and believe love is definetly real!!!! & there are different forms of it we can always always give it and or learn how to give it even if we do t feel we are receiving it!! Or actually maybe you are or have been but aren't even aware of it?? when you see a beautiful sunset or an adorable cuddly animal, receive kindness or a smile from a stranger but it is the most beautiful, most powerful and most important thing in this world so why not study about it? read about it? I'm doing more of this myself because I think it's so beautiful and important thing in life!!!💞

[Hidden]

I don't want to discourage anyone else, but "love" has beaten me to a pulp. I can't trust my own feelings any more than I can trust someone else's. It's too long a story to go into here, but it started when I was born, which kind of screws any normal frame of reference. I can say, I'm pretty sure I love my dog, but this is so different from anything I have felt with a human -- any human -- that it's hard to extrapolate. I'm not young, so I don't have some long, lonely life ahead anyway. I'm just disappointed that I missed out -- if there was something to miss out on. I had plenty of highs and lows; they just weren't what I thought/hoped they were, and now I have to be so very careful not to let any of that happen again. I am not in a chosen relationship now and haven't been since I was discarded more than three years ago.

My concern (?), as expressed above, is more that, while people tell me I'm a kind person, an empathetic person, I realize I'm supposed to love certain people in my life, but it just isn't there. I don't know what that makes me.

[Tedddy]

That's exactly what depression feels like. It numbs out the bad but also the good.

[Hidden]

I’m sorry you’ve never felt real love in your life. I’ve never truly felt love by a significant other, but I do know it exists from my family. I hope someday you experience love from someone. Don’t give up hope. Love is what it’s all about. 🖤