Love is Both Emotional and Practical

Balancing emotion and practicality in loving relationships is essential for creating connections that are both deeply fulfilling and realistically sustainable. Love thrives on feeling—but it endures through function. in other words, emotion brings us together, practicality keeps us together. If you want thriving relationships in your life you need both skill sets. Today we’ll explore some ways to do that.

Love is Complex. Here are so ways to navigate it.

Here’s a breakdown of how that balance can play out:

Emotion: The Heart of the Relationship

Emotion brings color, warmth, and intimacy to love. It's what makes your heart race, what draws you toward someone, and what helps you feel understood and cherished. Emotional elements include:

• Affection and warmth

• Empathy and attunement

• Romantic connection and attraction

• Shared joy and vulnerability

Without emotion, love can feel dry or transactional. But if emotion dominates without boundaries, relationships can become chaotic, overly reactive, or codependent.

Practicality: The Backbone of the Relationship

Practicality isn’t about being cold—it's about building a stable, grounded container in which love can thrive. It includes:

• Clear communication

• Shared responsibilities (finances, chores, parenting, etc.)

• Problem-solving and planning

• Emotional regulation and boundaries

Without practicality, love might feel passionate but unstable. Decisions may be impulsive, and conflict can go unresolved.

Where Emotion Meets Practicality: The Sweet Spot

The healthiest relationships integrate both. This looks like:

• Having tough conversations lovingly.
  You express needs and concerns with compassion, not criticism.

• Making decisions that honor both the heart and the reality.
  You may love someone deeply, but still choose boundaries or limits that protect your well-being.

• Showing up emotionally and reliably.
  It's not enough to feel love—you show it through consistent action, even when it’s inconvenient.

• Regulating your emotions to preserve the relationship.
  You feel angry, jealous, or sad—but rather than acting impulsively, you process, reflect, and respond with care.

• Choosing love even when it’s not “easy.”
  Staying through discomfort, compromising, or doing the unglamorous work of partnership is often a practical expression of deep emotional commitment.

Pre-orders for my book Learning Love are now available. Visit www.markahicks.com for all the details

"Love is the plan for every struggle. It is the strength for every hardship.” - Dr. Mark A. Hicks, Learning Love, p.129

For insight on life, love, and relationships check out The Learning Love Podcast and my YouTube channel.

Love well, everyone.

Mark