When I first started blogging about limerence, I was careful to talk about the upsides to the condition. I do think limerence adds to life, certainly when you are young and single and looking for love.
It is euphoric and exhilarating and intoxicating, even if it can ultimately turn sour. A lot of the great art and culture through the ages has been fuelled by limerence too — the epic love stories and outpouring of music, poetry, sculpture and more by limerents in the thrall of a grand passion.
Exalting the limerent object muse. I hope that my wife and I will continue to enjoy a happy marriage, see our children off on their own adult adventures, and then pursue the work and hobbies that bring us fulfilment and happiness. I hope to never need have to start on a new romantic adventure.
And yet, this is all a very dry and ascetic argument. And of course, it was an essential component of the forces that made me who I am. Would you choose to turn off your limerence if you could?
Dangerous subject, Dr. It gave me such poignant and wonderful moments and memories and let me experience life in beautiful colours. I just wish I could have handled it better. And maybe at the end of my life, in retrospect, I will shake my head over the waste of time and see that I lied to myself about the wonderfulness of it?
