The Timeline for Falling in Love, as Told by Experts

By Steph Silver - 9/18/22

Are you a believer in love at first sight, or do you have a three-to-five-date rule? Or is it all about the right place and right time? Different people have different timelines. Some take months to feel and confess, while others go all out and say the “L” word after one day. Are you here to know how long someone actually takes to feel the butterflies? Here is what experts have to say about it.

The Research

After decades of research and thousands of experiments, experts have a lot to say about how long it takes for people to get weak in their knees. According to a study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, it takes longer for women to fall in love than men. Women take 149 days, while men take 97 days from the day the relationship starts to fall in love. To add to this, the Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services declared through a study in 2008 that a homosexual couple, i.e., two women, takes approximately six months to feel their hearts racing.

The Intimacy Factor

Intimacy can play a huge role in making you fall in love. Sounds crazy? Well, it truly does. Indulging in physical activity takes your relationship a step further. You start longing for your partner and can end up feeling strong emotions. You might actually just go ahead and tell your partner that you have fallen hard for them.

The Attachment Style

If you are an anxious person, then you might look forward to the support of your partner. This is why when one partner in a relationship has an anxious attachment style, they tend to fall in love faster than the other one. Not only do they need their partners during bad times, but also when they are super excited about things. If you’re that partner, don’t get scared when you feel too much in too little time.