“I hate him, but I love him.”
It sounds like a contradiction, doesn’t it? How can you simultaneously feel such opposite emotions for one person?
But if you’ve ever said or thought this, you’re not alone. The push and pull of “I hate him, but I love him” captures a common, though complex, emotional reality in many relationships.
Psychologists refer to this as ambivalent love, a state characterized by fluctuating feelings of love and hate toward the same person. It’s more common than you might think.
So, what’s behind this emotional tug-of-war? Why do we experience such conflicting feelings? And how can we navigate these turbulent emotions?
This article will explore the dynamics of this love-hate relationship, the underlying reasons for such conflicting emotions, and strategies for navigating these feelings so you can find more peace.