True love (Part II) : Loving without owning, loving without losing yourself.

In the first part of this article, we talked about the often-forgotten foundation of true love — the one that changes everything.

Self-love.

Today, we continue the journey.

Because loving yourself is also what allows you to love others… without losing yourself along the way.

Not through sacrifice.

Not through dependency.

Not through control.

But through freedom, presence, and mutual respect.

So what does that kind of love actually look like?

The kind you give, that doesn’t fade—even when the other person lets you down.

The kind that walks alongside someone, without trying to lead the way.

The kind that loves, without needing to possess.

Just like in Part 1, I’ve prepared a collection of 10 mantras for you to read, reread, and let slowly sink in ✨

True love… when it’s shared with others

Let’s take a look at what true love can feel like…

when it flows between us and others.

And you’ll notice — these mantras sound a lot like the ones from self-love.

Because no matter what kind of love we’re talking about — romantic, friendly, familial, or parental — true love always speaks the same language.

A language of freedom, respect, and non-judgment.

✨ I give them permission to be who they are, in every moment.

You can love people deeply…

and still find them hard to deal with sometimes. 😅

But real love isn’t about loving only when it suits us.

It’s about loving even when it’s uncomfortable.

Even when what they say, do, or believe

doesn’t match what we would’ve chosen.

To love is to accept the other person as they are—

without trying to change them.

✨ I accept others’ differences without judgment.

Let’s be real:

We hate being compared to someone else.

“Your brother this, your colleague that…”

Ugh. Nightmare.

So why would we do that to the people we love?

To love is to recognize that the other is different—

and that it’s precisely what makes them unique.

No need to compare them to anyone.

They’re already enough.

✨ I offer advice without expectations.

Sometimes, we just want to help.

We give advice, suggestions, support…

But if we expect the other person to thank us, listen to us, or follow our advice—

we’re no longer in love.

We’re in conditional exchange.

True love?

It gives without expectation.

Just because it wants to give.

✨ I allow them to be human.

Just like me, others have the right to feel fear,

to be vulnerable, to fall apart sometimes.

I no longer expect them to be perfect.

I no longer hold them to an ideal version of themselves—

one I made up in my own head.

I choose to love them as a whole.

✨ I let them make their own choices.

There are decisions I don’t understand.

Choices I disagree with.

But real love means allowing the other person

to choose what resonates for them—

Even if, to me, it makes no sense.

Even if I would’ve done the exact opposite.

Because I’m not in their shoes.

And I can’t know what feels right to their heart.

✨ I remember that everyone lives the experiences they need.

Sometimes we want to “protect” the people we love.

Keep them from getting hurt.

Stop them from making mistakes.

But every person has their own path.

Their own wounds to heal.

Their own lessons to live through.

So I stop trying to step in at all costs.

And I let the other person live what they need to live.

Even if it breaks my heart.

✨ I make requests without expectations.

I have the right to express how I feel.

To ask for what I need.

But I learn to do it without demanding.

Without hoping for a “yes” to prove that I’m loved.

Because I know I’m loved,

even when the answer is no.

✨ I express my expectations clearly.

Many of us fall into this trap:

“He should’ve guessed.”

“If she loved me, she’d just know…”

But no. The other person doesn’t have a crystal ball. Sadly 😂

And an expectation can only be honored… if it’s expressed.

So I stop assuming.

And I start communicating.

It’s clearer. It’s fairer. And it saves a lot of unnecessary hurt.

✨ I observe instead of judging.

The ego loves to judge.

It loves spotting flaws in others

so it can feel “above” them.

But I don’t need that to feel worthy.

I let go of judgment.

And I learn to observe with kindness,

instead of criticizing to feel safe.

✨ I remind myself that I can’t make someone else happy.

I can love.

I can support.

I can show up with all my heart.

But I can’t heal in their place.

I can’t fill their emptiness for them.

Because happiness

is an inner journey.

And each of us is responsible for our own.

Loving without losing, loving without holding on

To truly love is to let the other person be free.

Free to say no.

Free to fail.

Free to discover who they are.

It’s no longer about trying to fit them into our mold…

but choosing to see them as they are, not as we wish they were.

And in that gaze, letting love flow.

A love that doesn’t take.

Doesn’t possess.

But that gives. Walks alongside. And sets free.

Because to love isn’t to give all of yourself to the other…

It’s to show up together, each in your own truth.

And remember: the more you love yourself…

the more you can love others without losing yourself. 💛