Fear of love is more common than you might think, especially among men who are used to controlling their emotions and not showing vulnerability. Psychologists say that many of them avoid love not because they don't want to love, but because they are afraid of what happens when they allow themselves to be vulnerable. This fear often leads them to behaviors that sabotage relationships before they have a chance to flourish.
1. They maintain emotional distance even when they feel closeness and interest.
2. They over-rationalize, analyzing every feeling instead of experiencing it.
3. They push the relationship towards unnecessary conflicts, to have a reason to leave.
4. They don't talk openly about their feelings, for fear of appearing weak.
5. They choose emotionally unavailable partners, so that the relationship has no real chance.
6. They overwork or fill their time with activities to avoid facing the emotional void.
7. They avoid commitment, using reasons like "it's not the right time" or "I want to focus on myself."
8. They reevaluate every detail of their partner until they find a reason to withdraw.
9. They compare new relationships with past experiences, keeping the fear of disappointment alive.
10. They display irony or defensive humor to hide insecurity.
11. And, finally, they leave the moment the feeling becomes real, because true love seems too dangerous for them to control.
Essentially, these men are not afraid of love itself, but of the mirror it holds up to them, a mirror that forces them to confront their fears, their lack of trust, and their need for true acceptance. It is only when they allow themselves to be vulnerable that they discover that love does not destroy them, but rather liberates them.
Photo by Stefan Stefancik: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-on-gray-shirt-portrait-91227/
