Infatuation
High-intensity, idealized, early-stage attraction — Love without the track record, usually short-lived.
How it shows up
Infatuation tends to flare early: in a new crush, a new friendship, sometimes even a new hobby or mentor. It often brings constant thoughts of the person, idealization, heightened energy, and sensitivity to every signal. It can be thrilling and also destabilizing. What distinguishes it from love is the absence of a track record; it runs on imagined qualities more than tested ones, and usually fades or transforms.
How it differs from Love
Love is built on a track record and knowing someone; infatuation is intense, idealized attraction that runs ahead of that knowledge.
Notice
Notice how much of what you feel draws on things you know and how much on things you imagine.
Where it is felt
Felt most in the chest, stomach and face.
Based on Nummenmaa et al. (2014), bodily maps of emotions, and related research. The map shows where people report bodily sensation, on average; individual experience varies.