Laying eyes on your crush in the school corridors feels like an instant spark lighting your day – it's like a thrilling mix of butterflies and mystery, a whirlwind of excitement and chaos. Every time you see them or think about them, you get this rush. Their laugh makes your day, and every song feels about them. It’s like living in a little daydream, where every glance is a mini adventure, a risky yet compelling one.

However, over time, the excitement we feel may fade away and we start seeing love from a more grounded perspective—not just the fantasy we built in our head. After that comes the sense of frustration, confusion and even sadness, the feelings that leave us questioning ourselves- what if our love experiences were never genuine? What if love was not a real feeling but rather an illusion, a trap for our distraction?

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The difference between the perception and reality of love presents a subject worthy of inquiry. It is so effortless for us to idealize our crushes, often falling in love with the idea and potential of individuals rather than their true selves and characters. But why is that?

Society, movies, songs, and social media often paint love as this perfect, magical thing. We get caught up in the delusion of how love "should" feel — thrilling, passionate, and emotional. But in reality, love is often about growth, compromise, and understanding, which isn’t always as glamorous as the romantic dramas paint it to be.

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Crushes often thrive on mystery, and once you realize that the thrill of unpredictability is gone, you may become bored and disinterested. You might also realize that you were chasing an idea of love, not the real connection you were hoping for. The problem here is we often build the false idea of love to make ourselves feel better, which eventually leads to heartbreaks and disappointments.

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Moreover, in our age, it’s easy to mistake infatuation, excitement, or even just the idea of being in love with an actual deep connection. Emotions are intense, and everything feels like it matters so much, but sometimes, it’s just a mix of hormones, pressure, and wanting to fit in. You might chase after a “perfect” relationship idea without really understanding what it takes, and that can make love feel more like a fantasy than something real.

Despite that, we cannot deny the power of real love. It’s about choosing someone every day, even when things aren’t always ideal. Love is what keeps us connected, cherished, and joyful. It is courage and strength that helps us be better for each other and ourselves.

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To all the young people out there, there’s no perfect recipe for love. It doesn’t follow one rule or one way. Love often begins as an idea—a concept of something beautiful, exciting, and sweet. But it’s also so much more than just an idea. Love is genuine when you love with your heart and soul. Love is real because it can be found anywhere. It’s the warmth in someone’s smile, the comfort in a shared glance, the relief of being truly seen.