11 Odd Ways Highly Intelligent People Say 'I Love You' Without Saying The Words
Stock-Studio | Shutterstock Highly intelligent people tend to operate on a different frequency than the rest of the world. One thing that sets them apart, aside from being insanely smart, is having a hard time expressing their emotions. They aren’t ones to wear their heart on their sleeve, which can leave them feeling misunderstood.
This can come up in expressions of love, whether it’s romantic or platonic. The odd ways highly intelligent people say "I love you" without saying the words doesn’t mean they won’t show that same affection and adoration in other ways. In fact, these little things they say and do are proof that they love someone, even if they never verbalize it.
Here are 11 odd ways highly intelligent people say ‘I love you’ without saying the words
1. ‘I did some research on that’
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People don’t necessarily have to share interests to get along, but experts think caring about similar things can strengthen a relationship. Even if a highly intelligent person isn’t really into their partner’s or friend’s interests, they can still show they care by learning more about them.
This could lead them down some pretty obscure paths. For example, instead of learning about how basketball is played because it’s someone’s favorite sport, a highly intelligent person might instead choose to research Michael Jordan’s best games because he’s their favorite player. Even if it feels hard to understand, it’s still awfully thoughtful.
2. ‘I remembered that’
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Someone might not think much of it when they casually mention their favorite childhood TV show or their favorite college class, but it will stand out to a highly intelligent person. According to research published in Emotion Review, certain things tend to leave a stronger mark on someone’s memory when they’re connected to a strong “emotional response.”
That response could come from a person learning more about someone they truly care about. Having a good memory goes hand-in-hand with high intelligence, but no one is really going to make an effort to remember someone’s favorite book read in 2021 unless they love them a lot.
3. ‘This made me think of you’
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Everyone has moments when they see or hear something that makes them think of someone they love. Whether it’s a song, a meme, or even food, there are certain things that we come to associate with those we love based on what they like and what their personality is like.
This is especially true for highly intelligent people, who are more likely to have good memories. Research shows that being in love with someone long-term activates cognitive parts of the brain, making it possible to do things like finish each other’s sentences.
When a smart person loves someone, they’ll see the world through that other person’s perspective, and it becomes an odd way they say "I love you" without actually saying the words.
4. ‘I want to know what you think’
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Science has repeatedly proven that we all look at people’s facial expressions in an effort to determine what they’re thinking, but this isn’t always effective because people are pretty good at masking how they feel. Reading minds may be impossible, but that doesn’t mean the desire to know what’s going on in someone’s head goes away.
People often have the misconception that a super smart person would hold their own thoughts in the highest esteem, but when they love someone, they’ll care about what that other person thinks too. They want to be able to understand their thought process so they can see how they arrived at their conclusions.
5. ‘I’ve never told anyone this’
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It’s not easy for anyone to show vulnerability and share something they’ve kept exclusively private, but this could be even more difficult for someone with a high level of intelligence. They’re used to people viewing them as some kind of standard, so letting their guard down doesn’t always come naturally.
Even though it’s hard, being vulnerable is important for any relationship. As marriage and family therapist Shari Foos described it, “This emotional openness is essential in all healthy relationships, as it paves the way for deeper understanding and evokes the empathy necessary for healthy long-term relationships.”
6. ‘I’ll always be there for you’
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Consistency is a challenge for most people, but it can be particularly hard for people whose minds move quickly and are constantly moving from one thought to another. Still, when an intelligent person loves someone, they’re going to be consistent and reliable. That other person might feel like their only constant at times, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Despite what conventional wisdom may say, consistency can be even more important in a romantic relationship than chemistry is. Chemistry can make you happy and kick off a relationship, but it’s consistency that will build trust and get you through the hard times. Finding this trait in another person is really valuable.
7. ‘I don’t really know’
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No one knows everything, but if you’re close with someone who’s highly intelligent, you may start to wonder if maybe they do. Part of loving someone is allowing them to see the cracks in your facade. For someone who is known for their brain, this would include admitting that their intelligence isn’t infallible.
Bringing this level of authenticity to a relationship isn’t easy, even when you do really care about the other person. But, John Bowlby, who created attachment theory, believed that the ability to truly connect on an intimate level with someone was an indicator of how healthy someone was. This simply can’t happen without openness and authenticity. It could be scary, but it will be worth it for the right person.
8. ‘We should do that someday’
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It’s such a good feeling to know that someone else is including you in their plans and vision for the future. The smarter someone is, the more likely they are to try to plan the steps ahead of them and create realistic goals they can work towards. They’re already thinking about these things, and including someone else means they see no point in doing life without them.
It is possible to fall in love with someone’s potential, and that’s a trap most of us have probably been a victim of before. But real love can recognize the person in front of you as the one you want by your side through the good and bad, without needing huge changes. When someone sees you as a part of their future, they really care and are saying "I love you" in their own unique way.
9. ‘I saved this so you wouldn’t miss it’
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There’s something so sweet about a person saving something to share with you because they know you’ll like it. Maybe it’s just something that would make you laugh, or maybe it’s directly related to something you said or care about. Whatever the case, it means you’re on their mind even when you’re not together.
This is one way that a highly intelligent person shows someone else they are their priority. Psychologist Abby Medcalf explained that making someone a priority “boils down to time and full attention.” Saving something to show that person later combines both time and attention, showing that they know what their priorities are.
10. ‘I took care of that so you don’t have to worry’
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A really smart person will be able to pick up on the things that are bothering someone they love. It shows their emotional intelligence, as well as their attention to detail. They won’t want that person to be in a state of anxiety or in any kind of pain, so they’ll show their talent for acting proactively and step in where they can.
This is, at its most basic level, a form of emotional support, which is individualized and unconditional support for someone that shows no judgement. It’s the way we all hope to be cared for, and it’s a sure sign someone loves you, even if they won’t say so verbally.
11. ‘Tell me why you believe that’
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Intelligent people are typically pretty deep thinkers. This pattern of constant thought means they are very used to their own thought processes and understand how they get from point A to point B. They’re so used to their own minds that they rarely pause to think about others’.
Often, the qualities we admire in others show what qualities are also present in ourselves, so it makes sense that an intelligent person would get caught up in the way another person thinks. These people usually only pay attention to others’ thoughts when they know they are worthwhile, so they think a lot of that other person.
Mary-Faith Martinez is a writer with a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism who covers news, psychology, lifestyle, and human interest topics.
