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Saying "I honey you" is a big stride in a relationship, and then information technology's important to take information technology seriously if someone says information technology to y'all. Recall about how y'all feel about the person and ask yourself if you lot love them, too. If you exercise, and so yous might desire to tell them that so they know you're on the same page. Withal, if y'all don't, then it's important to be honest with them while likewise respecting their feelings.

  1. ane

    Reflect on your feelings for the person. Consider if you dearest them, if you just bask spending fourth dimension with them, or if y'all even see a hereafter with the person at all. Saying "I love you lot" is a milestone in a relationship that indicates the person has potent feelings for you lot. They'll desire to know if y'all reciprocate those feelings. If you don't then it'due south important to exist aware of that and determine how y'all'll motility forrad from there.[1]

    • Enquire yourself, "Did that make me feel happy? Did that make me feel uncomfortable? Did I experience nervous?" Allow yourself to have mixed feelings and take whatever feelings come up up.[ii]
    • For case, if you actually like the person merely y'all're not sure if you love them, yous might desire to continue the human relationship and see if those feelings develop over time.
    • However, if you take started to experience like your relationship with this person isn't working, and so it might be time to permit them know this so that you tin both motility on.
  2. 2

    Say "I dearest you" dorsum to the person only if y'all mean it. If you lot honey the person and feel set up to tell them that, then now is a peachy time to say "I love y'all, too!" However, it's of import to be honest if you're not set to say "I beloved you lot." Even if you develop feelings of dear for the person somewhen, saying it before you mean it is quack and it could lead to problems downward the road.[iii]

    • Don't feel it like you owe your partner an "I love y'all." Have your time and trust your own feelings.[4]
    • Never say "I love you" back if you don't mean it because this will innovate a prevarication into your human relationship.

    Alert: Avert saying "I beloved you lot" when you're intoxicated. Saying "I love you" while y'all're intoxicated can brand it seem insincere, even if you lot really mean information technology. If you're under the influence of alcohol or drugs, await until you lot're sober to say "I love yous."[v]

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  3. 3

    Give a directly response to let them know if you're not ready. If you don't feel ready to say "I love you lot," it'south fine to respond in a simple, straightforward manner. Listen to your instincts if yous're not prepare to say it dorsum and exist totally honest with the person. Just make sure to be polite and considerate of their feelings.[6]

    • Effort saying something like, "Sorry, I'grand just not set to say that yet."
    • Or, "I'k glad to know you feel that way. I'grand non there however, but I want to continue our momentum going."
  4. four

    Tell them y'all value them if you're non gear up to say "I love you." One way to reply to someone who has just said "I love you" is to focus on their positive traits and let them know that yous value these things well-nigh them. Remember well-nigh what you like about the person and what makes you desire to spend fourth dimension with them. Then, focus on these things in your response.[7]

    • Try saying something like, "I'k and then happy you feel that way. I bask spending time with you, too. You're such a wonderful listener."
    • Or y'all might say, "I care most you, likewise. Yous're kind, smart, funny, and I simply dearest spending fourth dimension with you."
  5. 5

    Requite them a hug or a kiss if y'all desire to. Providing a token of affection for the person is another great way to respond. You hug or kiss the person instead of responding with words. You lot tin also add a hug or kiss if you lot said "I dear you" back, or if you lot told them yous don't feel gear up to say "I honey you lot" yet. Only don't hug or kiss the person if yous are thinking of breaking upwardly with them. This will send mixed signals, which can cause the person distress once they learn the truth.[8]

    • For example, if you've but said "I love you, too," then lean in for a hug or a buss.
    • If y'all've just told the person that y'all're not ready to say "I love y'all" nevertheless and permit them know that you value them and bask their company, you might offer a hug every bit a way to show you lot're sincere.
    • If you've merely told the person that you are not interested in continuing the relationship, then giving a hug or a kiss is not a good idea. However, y'all might reassure them with a less intimate concrete gesture, such as a pat on the arm or back.
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  1. 1

    Expect some thwarting if you don't say "I dearest you." The person may expect disappointed or even embarrassed afterward maxim "I love you" if you don't reciprocate. This is normal. It's fine to show empathy for them, but don't feel pressured to say "I dearest you lot" or feel guilty for beingness honest nearly your feelings. Allow them a moment to sit with their feelings before you respond.[9]

    • Yous might even offering to let them have some privacy if they seem very sad or embarrassed. Try saying something like, "I'one thousand pitiful if that came equally a shock. If you need a minute to yourself, I tin can exit and we tin talk again later on."

    Tip: Avert apologizing for your feelings or backpedaling fifty-fifty if the person is very sad and starts to cry. This volition just brand matters worse. Instead, let them know yous're there and reiterate what yous like nigh them. Try saying something like, "I'g nonetheless here, and I'yard non going anywhere unless y'all want me to go out. I meant what I said about enjoying spending time with you."

  2. 2

    Lookout man for extreme reactions similar anger. Information technology's normal for someone to feel deplorable or disappointed, and even embarrassed if yous don't reciprocate their feelings, but information technology's not normal for them to answer with anger or rage. If the person starts yelling, storms out, throws or breaks something, or becomes physically aggressive towards you, leave immediately and stay away from them. These kinds of reactions are all ruddy flags that the person may go abusive towards you.[10]

    • Call emergency services if the person becomes violent or aggressive towards y'all and you are alone with them.
  3. iii

    Take that everyone moves at their own pace within a human relationship. Even if your significant other is declaring their love for yous already, this does non hateful that y'all accept to do the same for the relationship to continue. You lot might demand more time and that is perfectly fine![11] It'southward normal for people to move at different paces in a relationship. Take your time and don't say "I honey yous" until or unless you are actually fix.[12]

    • For case, your significant other might exist set up to say "I beloved y'all" later on simply three months of dating, while you lot might need 4 months or longer to develop those feelings.
    • Be enlightened that at that place is a possibility that you will never feel the same way about them as they feel about you. Honour your true feelings and do not continue the human relationship if this is the example.
  4. 4

    Do something fun to commemorate the moment. If you responded positively after the person says "I love you," it might be a skilful idea to do something enjoyable to commemorate the moment. Go for a walk together, watch a romantic moving-picture show, or do something else that y'all both enjoy. Still, if you did not reciprocate and you don't expect to proceed the relationship, you might want to do only the contrary and spend some time on your ain.

    • If y'all desire to commemorate the moment, try saying something like, "Let's go do something fun! Are you upward for a picture?"
    • Or, if you need some time to yourself, attempt proverb something like, "Deplorable, just I have to go. Let'southward talk over again tomorrow, okay?"
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Conversation Help

Add New Question

  • Question

    How do y'all respond to "I Love Y'all" when you don't dearest the person dorsum?

    Jessica January Behr, PsyD

    Dr. Jessica January Behr is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Founder and Managing director of Behr Psychology. She specializes in couples and sex therapy. Additionally, Dr. Behr treats those experiencing anxiety, stress, relationship problems, and depression. She holds a BA in Psychology from Hunter College. Dr. Behr besides holds a Masters of Science of Pedagogy (MsED) in School Psychology and a Doc of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology from Pace University.

    Jessica January Behr, PsyD

    Relationship Psychologist

    Expert Reply

    You should endeavor to effigy out a way to bear witness appreciation and admit that you're aware that y'all're not reciprocating the feeling in that moment if you're unable to do it. Maybe you could say that you intendance about the person every bit well to soften the blow.

  • Question

    What is the worst response to "I Love You"?

    Jessica January Behr, PsyD

    Dr. Jessica Jan Behr is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Founder and Director of Behr Psychology. She specializes in couples and sex therapy. Additionally, Dr. Behr treats those experiencing feet, stress, relationship bug, and depression. She holds a BA in Psychology from Hunter College. Dr. Behr also holds a Masters of Science of Education (MsED) in Schoolhouse Psychology and a Md of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology from Pace Academy.

    Jessica January Behr, PsyD

    Relationship Psychologist

    Expert Answer

    At that place is non actually a all-time or worst response to this. You take to think nearly how that makes you feel. Do you lot feel the same way? Check in with your feelings and analyze if you truly care about the person. Obviously, these are hard questions to answer and you are entitled to accept fourth dimension and process your feelings to respond in the best manner possible for yourself.

  • Question

    How can I reply when someone says this in a text?

    Community Answer

    If this is the kickoff time this person has said this to you lot, avoid writing back "I love you too." You should wait until they say it in person. Instead, send some heart emojis. If you do not feel the same way about the person, you could choose to ignore their message, or reject them by saying something along the lines of: "Aww, I'm really flattered!"

  • Question

    What should I say or practise after they say "I dearest yous, too"?

    Community Answer

    Remember that deportment speak louder than words. You don't take to say annihilation, but a happy grinning, a hug, or a kiss will mean a lot to the other person.

  • Question

    What should I do when a girl replies that she loves me too?

    Community Answer

    Kiss her or give her a hug.

  • Question

    How do I react to a guy texting that he loves me?

    Community Answer

    Any guy should know that's not the all-time manner to tell a girl that he loves her. Fifty-fifty if he lacks the backbone, he needs to find that courage to say information technology to your face so that you can estimate his sincerity. Merely ignore it and whatever you do, don't say "I love yous" back by text. Instead, wait until he says information technology to yous face to face; in the meantime, at least you know and y'all tin decide how you feel!

  • Question

    I always start the chat (in text) with the guy I'm dating, and I want him to be the initiator. What do I do?

    Community Answer

    Exist patient and don't text him for a while. Wait for him to text you, even if information technology takes a whole day or more. If he really likes you, he will find the courage to get-go the conversation.

  • Question

    What can I exercise to subtly prove someone that I love them?

    Community Answer

    Give them a hug or say that y'all capeesh it that you met/are with them. Just say something nice and wait them in the eyes while doing then.

  • Question

    I told a girl that l love her, and she told me that she doesn't take those kinds of feelings for me. What should I practice?

    Community Answer

    If yous two become along well, keep talking to her. Continue building the relationship and treat her well, and she might change how she feels virtually yous.

  • Question

    How should I react if he says that he does non love me?

    Community Answer

    Simply you know how yous'll react if he doesn't reciprocate. While it won't feel expert, at least he is being honest. Try to react and go on in a mode that volition help y'all feel better about yourself and your situation. Always let him know that is fine and give him space and time to come up around to your perspective.

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  • Someone telling you they love you is really flattering but you don't have to say you love them if you don't desire to. You don't owe them annihilation if you feel differently.

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  • Anonymous

    "If a boy/girl tells yous they honey you, you tin say "I experience very strongly nigh you too"."

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