Do you take over the passions of your beloved one?

Romania
January 8, 2013 8:54am CST
I do this thing sometimes, in order to better understand somebody I am interested in. I feel the need to read his favorite books, to cook his favorite meals, to smoke his favorite cigarettes, to research about his profession. It's not because I want to impress the guy, most of the times I keep for myself this kind of efforts. It's just a way to go deeper into his soul. Sometimes I find out that I also like those things, that define him. I don't know if the reason is that I actually like them, and he was just an impulse to discover them, or I like them because I like him. But I can say every person I liked touched somehow my personality by guiding my research activities. Is something that you also do? Do you think it's... healthy?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Arieles (2473)
• United States
8 Jan 13
I wouldn't say I "take over" the passions or hobbies of my significant other, but if I want to see more about who he is, I might dabble in whatever his passion is so I can understand him better. I remember with my first husband, I went "salmon fishing" with him. He enjoyed fishing and I tagged along. It was fun for me even though I didn't go in the water and fish with him, but I was there drinking my hot chocolate and also felt the excitement when he hooked his salmon for the night. I also went deer hunting with him. We sat in the woods with our snacks...just sitting there, quiet as ever, waiting for the deer to approach us so early in the morning. I only did that one once
1 person likes this
• Romania
8 Jan 13
Now that you say I realise that maybe you are right, "take over" is not the best expression to use here. It has a bad connotation and it's not something necessary bad. Maybe when somebody do only this and all the time, but excesses are usually bad. Anyway, another point in doing this is the excitement of discovering something new, that you didn't give any importance in the past. You suddenly find a reason why to try it, and find how enjoyble it actually is. Like hunting. :)
@Arieles (2473)
• United States
8 Jan 13
Right, you may have overlooked an activity that you wouldn't have normally enjoyed but found out how much you love it. I use to think golfing was boring, and though I still can't watch it on tv, I find that the actual act of golfing can be very rewarding and a lot of fun. I do understand why people enjoy it so much. I've only gone golfing once, but I loved it!
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@ZoeJoy (1392)
• United States
9 Jan 13
Don't you want him to go deeper into your soul? Don't you want him to understand you as well as you understanding him? Doesn't he like to learn about you - as you are learning about him? Both my husband and I love to read. We both will read passages from our books that we want to share with the other. He enjoys listening to me read from my book as well as he likes to share from his book. We also take turns choosing the movie - we alternate between the chick flicks and the action pack movies and sometimes, we even find a movie that we both enjoy. A mutual relationship in which there is equality is when BOTH take an interest in each other. My husband likes to cook breakfasts and will cook my eggs the way I like them for me. I enjoy cooking his favorite dinners. When he is sick, I take care of him. When I am sick, he takes care of me. How can you really go deeper into his soul if he isn't going deeper into your soul? For the relationship to really grow and deepen - both need to be there for one another, sharing and supporting each other.
• Romania
9 Jan 13
You are right, in a succesfull relationship this should be mutual. My bf is taking care of me and is careful with what I like or enjoy. He accepts watching the movies I like even if he hates them. But he is make fun about my "reasearch obsession" and I don't think he ever did something like this on his own, without me to push him. But I don't feel less understanded because he didn't read Kierkegaard, for example (one of my favorite philosophers). Even if I spended some time to understand the onthology of Noica (one of his favorite philosophers). I did it for my own curiosity (wtf does he sees in soul illnesses?!). And this is for the relationship case. But I also did this thing in the case of "platonical loves". I didn't expected reciprocity because I didn't do this to make them feel in a certain way. It was something I choose to do for me, to find an answer at some of my questions.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
8 Jan 13
Not really. I never got into sports even though he loved sports. There were things we both liked, but we already loved those things separately. If I got into things my husband liked and did things that he enjoyed because I was interested in those things already. There is a danger that one might get into dangerous things. I think when you date, you look for similarity in your outlook. We cannot change ourselves to meet their expectations, It backfired.
• Philippines
9 Jan 13
Sometimes I try so that I would understand why my partner is into that thing or hobby. Sometimes I find it fun and sometimes not. I am telling my partner the ones that I liked and suggests that we do it together like bowling or fishing. But those that I do not like, I make it a point to give my partner space or time to do the those things. I try it because it's new and it can be my new hobby or food that I may like to eat. I think that it's interesting to learn the things that our partner loves so that we can understand them fully.
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• Romania
9 Jan 13
Yes, for sure it improves the way you understand your partner. And it is an important step in building a life together. Also, like you say, to give space and time to your partner to do his personal things, that you don't enjoy it's a sign of a mature relationship. Some people don't get this, and are upset when their partner have a private activity. But this attitude will only bring suffocation and will kill, in time, all the love and joy.
• China
9 Jan 13
Well,I am not sure if it is healthy in a relationship.But I am afraid I will be another him if I do everything he likes.I do agree even we love each other,we should try to be ourselves.And be different from any other gril,I mean,in some positive aspects,you'll be unique.He may love you much coz you are attractive to him.I hope what I say do not offend you.Have a nice day.
• Romania
9 Jan 13
I see your point and it didn't offended me. I also partly agree with you. I also don't like the idea to transform yourself when you are into a relationship, to better suit with him. And for no reason to renounce at your own passions. It's not doing everything he likes, is knowing (deeply) everything he likes. You may like it also, and do it or not and never do it.