How often do you express your love for those close to you? How frequently do you say the words out loud?
For some, expressing love is second nature. They frequently tell friends, family, and partners that they love them. For others, articulating these feelings can be challenging, even if they are deeply felt. This difficulty may stem from a lack of verbal affection in their upbringing or past experiences where the word “love” became associated with pain.
Many of us might neglect to express our feelings due to fear, embarrassment, a busy lifestyle, or the assumption that our emotions are already understood. Yet, openly expressing love is a meaningful gesture. Everyone enjoys hearing that they are loved, and while it might sometimes be uncomfortable, sharing and receiving love is a fundamental part of human connection that we should cherish.
What if you encouraged people to express their love by offering them a small incentive? That’s precisely what TikTok user @toachieveyou did. They set up a simple experiment: they stood on a street corner with a sign offering $5 in exchange for calling someone and telling them, “I love you.”
The idea, credited to Are You Kidding TV, was straightforward: Call someone on speakerphone and say “I love you” to receive $5. The task's simplicity highlighted its impact.
The phone calls were touching. In one instance, a recipient initially worried something was wrong but was relieved to hear a genuine expression of love. Sometimes, a seemingly random “I love you” can raise concerns, but once reassured, the response is warm and heartfelt.
The most touching part was when people chose to return the $5, demonstrating that calling was more rewarding than the money itself. One particularly tall participant called his mother and shared the same gesture, emphasizing the significance of the experience.
This experiment reveals the profound value of verbalizing love for those who might not easily express their emotions. Florida International University psychologist Lisa Arango explains that expressing love verbally is essential for nurturing and sustaining relationships. “Telling somebody you love them nourishes the relationship and keeps it vibrant,” she notes.
While actions can also convey love, hearing the words spoken aloud carries its unique significance. As one commenter pointed out, sometimes we just need a reminder that the value of a simple “I love you” far exceeds material things.
Another user reflected, “When you make that call and realize it meant more than $5 ever could, it’s extraordinary.”
The experiment also highlighted the sorrow of not being able to call loved ones who have passed away, reinforcing the importance of not delaying expressions of love. Reach out to those you care about, say “I love you,” and don’t overthink it. Normalizing such expressions strengthens our connections and fosters a more compassionate world.