Is everything after your first love really a step down?

its okay, it really is. itll take longer to heal than most other breakups, but itll be okay. its not a step down because its just the first time, youll find it again. best of luck to you with that :)

It is absolutely NOT a "step down". First love only feels like it will be the most intense because it is the first; you have no context outside of it, just like the very first pain you can remember seemed like the worst at the time.

The notion that the first love is the best or strongest is Hollywood bullshit. It is entirely possible to fall in deep, honest love more than once.

On some level you always love your first.

That doesn't make it a step down to love someone else after that. You just love that person in a different way. They always hold a place in your heart. That doesn't make the next love any less special or less important.

I think in the same way that loving an old friend doesn't mean you can't love a newer friend, loving for the first time doesn't mean you won't love again. Every love is different, and you can feel it for more than one person. You'll always love your ex-boyfriend, and that's wonderful, but it doesn't stop you from loving someone else. Every person in our life shapes us in some way, the next person you meet will just shape you in a different way than your boyfriend did. It's all connected.

What you have to understand is that no two loves will ever be the same. I think part of growing up is to recognise that and deal with it. If you are a very sensitive and nostalgic sort of person, it will be harder for you. I had a very stormy 6 year relationship which broke off (i think it just had to run its course). I met my husband one year later, we dated for 2 and have now been married 8 years. Was it easy letting go? Hell no. Do I still love my ex? Yes. Do I love my husband? Yes. Is it the same? No. Is one better than the other? No.I just don't believe in there being only "one true love" for everyone.

I'm sorry you're going through this hard time, but the answer is no! Infact my second love, showed me what real love is, and how it should be, but it's also to be expected, when you meet your first love it's all about new experiences you're sharing with someone that you have never got to be on an intimate level with such as meeting families, falling inlove, sharing feelings. You don't necessarily know any different, so when your time comes and you're ready and prepared to move on- and you meet someone you will no doubt do a little comparison, but you will see the difference, or even your 3rd or 4th etc.

First loves are a great way to figure out what you do and don't want in a relationship. Oddly I've found pretty consistently that you will have 3 great loves before you find your spouse or life partner. It helps refine your tastes for a life long lasting relationship. And honestly, you'd be surprised at falling in love again and realizing you didn't know what real love was until you met your new love. Or that your understanding of love will evolve the more you learn. Not saying that you didn't love them just with age and time and experience comes wisdom. Love is so multi faceted. Love yourself like you want someone to love you and you'll be amazed at how much happier you are and how easy it is to find a strong loving relationship.