What is a Platonic Love Relationship?

 What Does It Mean to be in a Platonic Relationship?

       The word "love" always describe an image of a happy couple. But, in reality, romantic love is only one type of loving relationship you'll experience throughout your life. 

Yes, there's your bond with a significant other, but there are also connections with friends, siblings, and neighbors, to name a few. These relationships center on platonic love and offer additional support outside of a romantic partner.

Here's what you need to know about navigating and growing platonic relationships in your life. 

       

What is a Platonic Relationship?

Platonic love derives from Plato’s analogy that this type of love is centred around bringing us closer to the ‘divine’ or enlightenment. In other words, platonic love taught us to pursue greater goals and essentially motivate each other to become the best versions of ourselves.

The term has adopted slightly different meanings since Ancient Greece but the key traits can still be applied to any relationship. Today, platonic love or a platonic relationship is typically between two people that are just friends and their love for each other does not feature any physical lust or romantic involvement.

It is not uncommon for lines to become blurred in platonic relationships, especially between the opposite sex. This becomes especially difficult if one person in the relationship becomes attracted to the other.

Platonic relationship might seem a little redundant at first glance. After all, friendships are platonic by definition, right?

Platonic relationship specifically refers to friendship between two people who could, in theory, feel attracted to each other.

Many people might experience some passing sexual tension or briefly wonder, What if we did try dating? It may seem like the relationship could go either way — continue as friendship or turn toward romance.

If you experience these feelings and decide to keep what you have, your friendship remains platonic.

People often assume platonic friendships never succeed, especially if one of you “catches feelings” or misreads certain signals as signs of attraction.

This assumption stems from a collection of false ideas, including:

- People of different genders don’t have enough in common to maintain friendships

- Everyone’s end goal is romance

- You’ll eventually desire a sexual relationship with any friend you could be attracted to

The truth is, it’s entirely possible to be friends and only friends with anyone, regardless of gender.

you’ll eventually desire a sexual relationship with any friend you could be attracted to. 

Signs Your Relationship Is Platonic

There are several characteristics that distinguish a platonic relationship from some other types of relationships. In addition to the lack of a sexual aspect, this type of relationships also tends to be marked by:

Acceptance: These relationships tend to feel easy and comfortable. Both people feel that they are safe and free to be themselves. 

Closeness: Both people in the relationship feel a closeness to each other and feel that they share things in common. 

Honesty: Both individuals feel that they can share what they really think and feel with the other person.

Understanding: People who share a platonic relationship have a connection, but they also recognize and respect each other's personal space. They don't try to force the other person to do things they don't want to do or be something that they are not.

These types of relationships are often friendships. And while the lack of a sexual relationship is what characterizes this type of connection, it does not necessarily mean that the individuals in the relationship are not attracted to each other or could not start to feel attracted to one another.

Platonic Relationship vs. Romantic Relationship 

There are many benefits of platonic relationships that romantic ones don't always offer. For example, a platonic relationship may entail fewer expectations and pressures, less stress about your physical experience, and possibly a more stable connection as there isn't a fear of breakup, says Guarnotta. Most notably, platonic relationships are not passionate, which often means they don't include overt sexuality. 

Platonic relationships also provide an opportunity to explore different parts of yourself and build unique experiences and memories with friends, says Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at Lenox Hill Hospital. 

Cultivating platonic relationships can also help your health. In a large 2010 review, researchers found people with strong social relationships had a 50% higher likelihood of living longer than those without them. 

Do platonic relationships work?

Yes, as long as you both understand the meaning!

Platonic sexual relationships do not exist because by definition a platonic relationship involves no sexual intimacy.  Youcan have a sexual partnership with someone and not be ‘together’ but that is not what a platonic relationship is.

We love the other in many different ways, some platonic, some romantic, some somewhere in between. Being able to identify these types of relationships and understand how to attribute them to people will help alleviate any blurred lines and keep the relationship moving in the right direction.

Platonic relationships teach us how to develop long-lasting and genuine friendships without the risk of losing them in a romantic sense. There is less ‘baggage’ with platonic relationships and you will find it easier to confide in your platonic partner, especially regarding any issues or concerns in your romantic relationship.

Summary

Platonic friendships really can work, even though it might get exhausting to keep saying, “Yes, we’re just friends.”

Just remember, good boundaries and open communication are key to the health and success of your friendship, and any other relationship, really.