The Friendly/Platonic Crush (sometimes called a “squish”): It is important to remember that not all strong feelings are romantic, some of them can be platonic as well. Letting yourself trust someone and become really close to someone, without necessarily having romantic feelings for them, is a really special thing. Wanting to be around a person all the time may just mean that you have gone from friends to best friends. It’s totally normal to have a friend crush - you should want to hang out with your BFF as much as possible and have a platonic relationship with them. The Admiration Crush: When you idolize a person (like a celebrity, teacher, or classmate who has done something really cool) you may realize that you have really intense feelings about that person and what they have done. These feelings might be mistaken for romantic feelings simply because they are so intense. Feeling slightly awed in the presence of someone who has done something amazing or can teach you great things is natural. Often, it’s best to let a bit of time pass before really thinking too hard about these feelings. Generally, once you have spent a lot of time with this person, you will have learned a lot from them and may begin to feel like you can stand on equal ground. You may find that your crush-like feelings simmer down once the initial awe of being in their presence wears off. The Passing Crush: It is human nature to be attracted to other people. Even if you are in a great relationship, you still might find that you feel attracted to someone other than your romantic partner. This attraction is what we call a passing crush– this new person may seem new and exciting, and they probably are, but that doesn’t mean you should reconsider the relationship you are in or, if you’re single, drop everything to try to be with them. Oftentimes, passing crushes are spiked by being attracted–most often physically–to someone. The Romantic Crush: Sometimes having a crush on someone really does mean you really, really like them–and in a romantic way at that. Having a romantic crush means that you want to be with that person in more than just a friendly way–you want to be their romantic partner. If you fantasize about kissing, holding hands with, or cuddling with that person, you probably have a romantic crush.
The Shy Reaction: Do you suddenly feel like you might like to curl up into a ball when your crush is around? Do you blush incessantly and can’t seem to raise your eyes up from that suddenly very interesting speck of dirt on the ground?[3] X Research source Do you suddenly feel like you don’t have anything witty or interesting to say? All of these reactions tell that you like the person in question. The Outgoing Reaction: Do you suddenly feel the urge to tease your potential crush? When they are around, do you get the sudden urge to talk a lot because you want their attention? These are all symptoms of a crush as well. Just make sure that you don’t make your crush uncomfortable if you act this way–try not to tease them too much or they might not want to hang out with you. The Flirty Reaction: Do you feel like you want your crush to notice what you are wearing or how your hair is done that day? Do you feel like giggling and joking around? Maybe you suddenly feel the urge to make sure you look as good as possible so that your crush will notice you. Batting your eyes, flipping your hair over your shoulder, and playing with your hair are all signs that you have a crush. [4] X Research source
Do you suddenly feel nervous but excited at the same time? Maybe you feel like you want to hug that person or be with them all the time. These are all normal reactions to having a crush. Do you feel like you would give up anything to be near that person?
Do you: suddenly feel like you need to be the center of attention? You might find yourself directing the conversation so that you can talk about something cool you did in an attempt to impress your crush. You may even talk over one of your friends so that your story can be heard. You might also try to make as much contact with your crush as possible, keeping their attention on you. Do you: suddenly feel like you’re tongue-tied? Having a crush can sometimes make people feel embarrassed and like they don’t have anything to say. If you are normally talkative but suddenly clam up when that special person is around, you most likely have a crush. Do you: feel like your friends sort of disappear when your crush walks up? You may be surrounded by people but suddenly all you can see is your crush. You might smile a lot, even if what your friends are talking about isn’t funny. If your friends asked you something, would you have a hard time paying attention to the question because you’re focused on that special person? These are all signs that you have a crush.
Perhaps you are at dinner with your family but you aren’t paying attention to the conversation because you are wondering what your crush is doing. Maybe you’re hanging out with your friends but secretly you wish that you were hanging out with your crush. When you are going to sleep at night, do you think about what it would be like to kiss your crush goodnight?
Be careful who you talk to about having a crush. Don’t just go blabbing to any random friend about your crush. If you do that, someone might tell your crush and then you might get embarrassed. Only tell your best friends–the friends you can trust the most.
Do you walk by their locker a million times in the hopes of seeing your crush? Have you changed the path you take to class because you know they walk that way? You have taken a new and deep interest in a subject that you know your crush is interested in, like photography or rock climbing.
Feel excited? Suddenly get that feeling like a bunch of butterflies are flying around your stomach? Feel like your heart might leap out of your chest? Blush and giggle? Get tongue-tied and flustered? If any of these things happen, you have a crush on someone.
If you daydream about that certain someone and imagine you two going on adventures together, holding hands, kissing, or anything romantic like that, you most likely have a crush on that person.
If you listen to a romantic song and think, ‘Hey, that’s how I feel!’ you have a crush. If you watch a movie like Titanic and envision you and your special someone as Jack and Rose, you have a crush. If you read Romeo and Juliet and immediately identify with the hopelessly deep love of the main characters, you have a crush.
