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I love two different people. What should I do?

185 Answers
Last Updated: 05/22/2022 at 6:12am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Lindsay Scheinerman, MA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

My work with clients is to help them recognize and build on their strengths to find solutions for the conflicts presented in their lives.

Top Rated Answers
friendlyBeauty5599
August 21st, 2020 4:19pm
It's hard to choose between 2 people who you love dearly. The best you can do is to spend time with them separately and make sure if you love one more or if you find out you don't love them like you thought you did. If that doesn't work you can always just make a pros and cons list which sounds silly but it helps more than you think, I've been in a similar situation and I had a friend tell it me it sounded stupid but a pros and cons list is the way to go even if it seems silly.
Anonymous
August 29th, 2020 8:19am
That is a hard decision to make. However, honestly it all depends on you. I suggest to weigh out what you like from each person and what you do not like. Try to ask yourself to, "Are we really compatible?" "What do we have in common?" "What do I like about him or her?". I believe the more that you have in common with your partner, the higher the possibility of your relationship to last long. Also, try to gauge how the person reacts during you are down times. Like, how they interact with you when you are not your best self. All of these are just suggestions, but honestly when it comes to relationship, you'll just feel if they are the right one. Good luck!
Anonymous
September 10th, 2020 6:32am
Figure out who you can live life without. If one matters more that is the person you have more feelings for. It isn't fair to string someone along for your benefit or as a back up plan. When you figure out who you can live without then you need to be honest with them and let them move on with their life. Being honest now will prevent more heartache in the long run. If you sought out the attention and love of another that means you were not happy. It also proves something was missing from your initial relationship and you need to address what that was.
windybreeze01
September 18th, 2020 2:19pm
I cannot tell you what to do because you know your self best, but the best option is to think of why each individual makes you happy. Try to see the differences and what one is missing from the other. It can be very stressful in positions like these. Remember that you have time to think and you do not need to make any decisions right away. Your heart will always have a louder opinion but remember sometimes thats not always the opinion to focus on. With that being said, it’s important to focus on what your mind has to say as well.
GeoffreyC1989
November 1st, 2020 1:34pm
I've loved two different people at once before. It's no picknick... To say the least. It kept me awake at night, because I was really tormented by the different feelings and thoughts going through my head. Eventually, a friend of mine recommended me a tip he learned from one of his therapists: Make a list... So I made a list with the 'pro's and contra's' for each person and this made things more clear for me then. I was able to choose rationally. Polyamory is also an option, but off course both people you love have to be up for it. And eventually this option makes things even more difficult...
wonderfulMusic
November 21st, 2020 7:23am
Love is a great thing, and it must go as widely as possible, as far as we use this word to express a sincere wishing good for a person. Still, when it comes to choosing a partner for life (or a significant part of it), we have to choose one person. This must be a person we not only love, but who we feel comfortable with, and who will grow personally together with you. This must be a soulmate. It's quite a rare thing, so chances are that at least one of the two people you think about is not a good fit for this position. Take your time, and think about it long enough to be sure that you do the right choice.
Anonymous
November 21st, 2020 11:10pm
There is so much to consider when love is on the table. Everyone’s priorities are different. If you want compatibility and a relationship that is secure and long-term, it might be good to consider: 1. Would this person be reliable and secure? How has this person been with past partners? Do they want a commitment? 2. Does this person have the top qualities that I want in a partner? Are there any issues that would be deal breakers? 3. Does this person have interests and goals that are similar or complementary to my own? 4. How would this person respond to issues in the relationship? Would they try to work with me or would they run away? 5. Does this person have a growth (willing to be flexible/learn/grow) or fixed (stubborn/inflexible/unwilling to learn) mindset? Best of luck to you! I think finding a good match is one of the most important decisions in life. Finding a good, healthy fit is worth any wait!
Anonymous
December 2nd, 2020 2:35am
i would choose whoever i think would make me more safe and happy in the long run, even if in the moment the other person is making me happier. i would choose the person who would stay with me through the good and the bad, even if we fight or are mad at each other. i would choose the one i think is better for my mental health and will provide more good memories than bad when i think about them when we have broken up. i would choose the one i can imagine a future with, like actually getting married and settling down with them and growing old with them.
Anonymous
December 9th, 2020 7:03pm
Loving two different people is not inherently an issue unless it is distressing to you. There are many relationship styles (which are alternatives to monogamy) in which it is permissible to legitimately, honestly, and openly love more than one person. If you feel monogamy isn't right for you or doesn't make sense for you right now, you might consider researching polyamory or open relationships. Both are relationship styles that can be negotiated and configured (with your chosen partners) to allow for love of more than one person at a time. Alternately, if you feel monogamy is your preferred style, it may be best to be honest with yourself so that you can be honest with those you care about. Sometimes honest communication can help you gain clarity. If that isn't an option, journaling can help you sort through your feelings until you are able to make a decision that works best for you.
Anonymous
December 23rd, 2020 4:50am
There's nothing wrong with loving two different people. You should love who ever you want to love. Without sounding cynical, do you love them with any type of malice intent behind it? Are you in a love triangle and they both hate each other? If that's the case, then you only love yourself the most, and u believe you love them. But if you genuinely love them both, you would be able to be as honest as possible with them both. Something to consider is some people have open relationships to avoid that awkwardness of cheating and feeling guilty. Open relationships are not for everyone if you can't handle certain personalities or behaviorals. Good luck !
Anonymous
January 14th, 2021 11:00am
Well the main question is, do you love them? This could be romantic or just love them as a friend. It's never nice competing but maybe if you speak to them about it they will understand. Switching between the two people wouldn't be a wise choice but you do what you think is right. maybe you just think you like them because they're nice to you or because your both similar in terms of interests. Often just thinking about your feelings long and hard is substantial enough to come to a conclusion so I suggest you give that a try
Fergie12299
January 21st, 2021 7:28am
There is nothing wrong with loving more than one person. We should all try to love more. If this is a romantic type of love then you need to way up the pro's and con's with each person. Can you be friends with one if you choose the other? What effect will this have on you? Do both of the people feel the same way as you do. In the end you will have to rely on your gut and go with it. You can be the only one that decides what the next move will be and when you decide what you are going to do it should come from the heart.
gracefulDreamer6406
February 6th, 2021 1:21am
Being honest about your feelings is important but you also need to be honest with your partners. If you're actually dating one of these two people, or both of them, then you need to own up to it. Tell them the truth about the situation that you're in. It might wind up leading to you losing one or both of these people if you haven't been honest in the past. Honesty is one of the most crucial parts of maintaining a healthy relationship. If you can't be honest with the people that you love, then you might not need to be in a committed relationship right now. Being lied to hurts and you don't want to put someone that you care about through a painful situation that they don't deserve. Love is about more than your own happiness. The happiness of the people that you love should also concern you and you need to take their feelings into account.
TheWonderlandSystem17
February 20th, 2021 3:38am
Have you heard of polyamorous relationships? Most people aren't comfortable with them, and you might not be, but if you are, it could be a possibility for you. If you're not liking that idea, maybe you could hang out with both of them more and see perhaps if you like one more than the other, or maybe if one of them likes you back while the other might not. It's never a good idea to be in a one-sided relationship, so while you might like them both, you're going to need to see if they like you.
Anonymous
March 5th, 2021 2:23am
There is this saying that if you love someone and a new person is introduced whom you gain an attraction for, you should choose the second lover as if you truly loved the first one, you wouldn't fall for another. I think that quote is crap. You could love two people for various reasons. Each person brings out a different side of you and you have a different connection with the both of them. Maybe lover 2 makes you step out of your comfort zone and makes you feel alive while lover 1 makes you appreciate the little things and makes you feel happy. Who would you choose? It depends on what you need. If lover 2 gives me something that I'm lacking such as trill and adventure, pursue them. If lover 2 brings out the best in me and makes me feel good about myself which I lack, go for that person. Make a list, point out how this person affects you both positively and negatively, do you see yourself long term with this person?
gentleSun78
March 20th, 2021 12:16pm
It depends on what do you mean with love. If it means that you like both of these people as humans and that you like to spend time with them (they are your friends or just acquaintances), it is great and it can be fulfilling for your soul. If you mean romantic love, then you can maybe consider who do you prefer to spend rest of your life with. Select one of them, not both. Then you can consider engaging with this person romantically, while tell other person in polite and kind way that you haven't got romantic interest in them (singular them!) but if you are comfortable with and person you love romantically agrees, you can remain just friends with this other person.
calmingUnicorn6545
April 22nd, 2021 3:32am
Being in love is supposed to be a positive thing. You can enjoy spending time with someone you care about and start working toward building a future together. What if you care about two people in the same way? Is it possible to be in love with two people? Whether it's possible or not, this has the potential to be disastrous. It will be vital to determine who you truly love out of the two people you're in love with. Though you might love two people, most situations will not allow you to keep two lovers. This is definitely seen as taboo in most mainstream cultures, although some exceptions will be discussed later. Regardless, you need to do the right thing for the other people involved in this love triangle.
Anonymous
May 7th, 2021 4:55am
Thank you for reaching out! This is a difficult situation to be in no matter who you are. The thing is that we generally never want to hurt another person, especially if we have been hurt in the same way. It’s important to reflect on how you feel about loving two different people and what kind of support you would like regarding your feelings. You are asking what you should do about your feelings for these two people. Ask yourself about your whether or not your relationship status makes you feel afraid of loving two people? It’s understandable that if you already are in a relationship you may experience feelings of guilt and shame and not know how to go by ending your relationship with someone. Ask yourself who the better fit for you is currently and who you can see a future with and why. To get your thoughts flowing and a stronger awareness it may benefit you to write down why you are attracted to each person and also the pros and cons of being with them. The thing is no matter how hard you try somebody always ends up getting hurt. As difficult as it is be honest and compassionate with yourself and pick anyone in your support group you trust to talk about this. You are also welcome to explore your thoughts and feelings further with any one of our amazing listeners or therapists on our site. Hope you make a decision that feels healthy for you and those in your life that would be affected.
Anonymous
May 22nd, 2021 3:00am
It's okay to love more than one person . We love our parents , friends , sibling and also we have crush on ppl , celebrities ., but be clear about your feelings. and about the relationship you have with each person. To be exact if you like two persons of opposite gender or same gender in a romantic way just remember - 'if you like the person or love the person' . Ask this to yourself. And chose the one for you. You will be confused between like and love or crush and infatuation.. it's okay to be confused. Take your time and progress slowly. And try not to hurt anyone after your decision.
SoftMoonlight000
June 2nd, 2021 1:43pm
I think it's important to recognise that love. Do you want a relationship? If yes, it's important that they return the same feelings. If they do, which person can you commit to. Which person do you trust to commit to you, and who do you think you'll feel secure with to develop independence in the relationship. A relationship that you're happy and secure in takes a lot more than just love. It can be difficult to build. Which person out of the two do you trust to be that person in your life, the person you can feel secure with no matter what.
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2021 11:08pm
Be honest with yourself and with others. Take some time to reflect on what you truly desire and need, and ensure that you are not only honoring yourself, but you are treating others with the respect and kindness they deserve. Remember to be kind to yourself. Know that this may be an uncomfortable experience for all involved. Focus on the good in yourself, others, and the situation. Instead of avoiding conflict, be proactive and try to find a path forward. It may not be easy, but you will be moving toward happiness for all involved. Stay positive and keep your heart open.
Anonymous
June 17th, 2021 10:16am
Carefully consider your feelings. Some people are capable of loving more than one. That's why polyamorous relationships exist. However, if you're certain you're not that type, then it's imperative that you focus on how you really feel about both those people. Usually, the second person is favored more, because if you really loved the first person, you wouldn't have fallen for the second. Although, if you're already in a relationship with one of them, perhaps consider looking into why you're not happy in that relationship because there's obviously something lacking that you've sought in the second person. But if that's not the case, and you are indeed in love with two different people, take a moment to consider whether you want it to be one or the other or you want to have both. And if you decide to have both, then go for it. Why not?
Anonymous
September 9th, 2021 7:02am
Weigh out your options. Balance 'em out. Place them beside each other (in your mind or literally, that'll have to be your choice), and there will always be that someone who holds a larger part of your heart. I suggest making a list of traits you're looking for and see for yourself who fits best. If you're unsure about which of them is ready to love you back, it's okay to ask. If you're not yet ready for any sort of confrontation, then you could stay quiet and observe, and pay attention to both of them more. Spend some quality time together and see who makes you happier. This may seem like a hard job, but as long as you follow and listen to your heart, all will be well.
Believeinspiredream
October 8th, 2021 1:10pm
First of all you need to determine what you see and experience as love and if one could possible be love or if it could be lust. This is harsh but if you think you are in love with two people are you really in love with either? Now I don't say this to be mean or cruel but love is often an emotion that is out of our control and can consume us. If you are questioning if you love the two different people maybe take a step back. Think about what love means to you and if you love yourself as well as this is most important.
NinaBee
November 5th, 2021 11:20pm
Consider the idea that you may be polyamourous! It means you experience romantic attraction/are in a relationship with more than one person at once! If that label feels right for you, you can go about pursuing them both, though you may need to think about how to make it clear you're polyam to them both so nobody gets hurt. If things don't work out with both, they might still work out with one or the other, and even if not, you're still an absolute gem of a human and you're fine on your own or with someone(s) else! Good luck!!
Anonymous
January 7th, 2022 12:09pm
Try to imagine yourself in different situations with both people. Could you imagine being in a healthy, loving and long relationship with both of them of just one? Sometimes it may seem like you love two different people but in reality, you just like the idea of being with one of them, not the actual person. It may be because they give you a lot of attention or because your friends/family would like them. Now if you're truly sure that you love both of them and they are both not in a relationship at the moment, I'd consider looking into polyamory and openly talking to the people about it if you feel comfortable doing so. Just be careful that you don't keep one of them simply as a "back-up" if a relationship with the other one should work out as this can hurt both of their feelings. You got this!
Anonymous
January 9th, 2022 10:45am
I'm not sure- I would make a pro and cons list and decide what makes each one special- whose been there for me when I needed them and who really understood me. I wouldn't base the present on the past- but a little compare and contrast can help. It can really go a long way and more often than not- it's the only thing do. Of course then comes the most dreaded debate between the mind and the heart- when it comes to love, logic usually fails but take your time and decide who you think is more important to you- tell them about your feelings and what happens next may help you.
SunshineandJazz
January 20th, 2022 12:49pm
That is a very possible thing to happen and that does not mean that you are a terrible person for feeling that way. Nowadays, it has become more and more acceptable to identify as polyamorous – poly meaning "many" and amorous meaning "love". You may very well be one of those people and that is completely fine to be. Unfortunately, you must also prepare yourself to be rejected on all fronts because we still live in a traditionalist world. The first thing you need to do is to reflect upon yourself. Ask these questions – do you *really* love *both* these two people? *Why* do you love them? Do the both of them emit the same feelings within you – the way that you feel when you love someone? Positive responses to these questions can help you decide whether you are poly or not. Then, take the next step of being totally and completely honest with all parties involved because a key piece of being successfully polyamorous is honesty. Polyamorous people and relationships can and have been successful. However, like all relationships, they take work but, polyamorous people have a higher likelihood of experiencing heartbreak due to navigating multiple relationships. There are many resources on the internet about being polyamorous and I highly suggest going through them!
archiesnapx
February 16th, 2022 4:07pm
Figure out a list of pros and cons and how each individual affects your life personally, then you would be able to come upon a certain conclusion and give yourself some closure. Dont force yourself to feel emotions if you're not up to it. Do not over think it too much either, because honestly that never helps. It all comes down to who is the person that you see yourself having engaging conversations that keep you on your toes till the end of time while you grow old together. But most importantly, throughout this process, remember to never hate yourself.
Anonymous
April 16th, 2022 5:52pm
Talk to both of them about it. Be open and honest. If they are into poly or open relationships, talk with them about that possibility. If they are not into that, still communicate how you feel to them, given the right relationship circumstances to share those feelings. If choosing to reveal to one person, maybe consider some pros and cons on what a relationship with each person would look like. Consider what you need in a relationship, and what might work better in each case, given your needs. Again, try talking with one or both of these individuals--hopefully, direct, open communication could be a growing experience with you and one of these individuals to figure out if a relationship could work well for the two of you.