Having a crush, be it mini or huge, mutual or unrequited, is a normal human experience. Often, we’re drawn to people who make us feel good about ourselves. It could be a person’s smile, a sense of humor or the way they make us look at them. However, it’s important to understand the difference between a crush and a relationship.
A crush is a secret, intense, yet fleeting desire to be with someone that usually involves low or no chance of ever becoming a couple (urban dictionary). When you have a crush on someone, you’re thinking about them all the time and fantasizing about them. You start following them everywhere, even their social networking sites, and you can’t stop looking at them, trying to catch a glimpse of their face or hearing them speak.
It’s not uncommon for people to develop a crush on someone who is already in a relationship. In fact, a recent study found that more than half of those in committed intimate relationships reported having a crush. Although some of these crushes may lead to infidelity, most of the time they don’t. Instead, these crushes often serve as a form of escape from a negative situation or feeling within their primary relationship.
When you crush on someone, it causes a chemical reaction in your brain that triggers your body’s fight-or-flight response. This makes your heart beat faster, your breathing increases, and your pupils widen. This is why it’s so hard to talk to, let alone approach, the person you have a crush on.
Having a crush can be a fun and exciting time. It can also be stressful and confusing. The key is to make sure your feelings are reciprocated before taking any action. This will prevent you from getting hurt in the long run. You can also try to get a better understanding of what’s driving these feelings by reflecting on your past experiences with other crushes.
When you’re in a relationship, a crush can be difficult because it can make you question your commitment and self-worth. It can also take away energy from your current partner, which can cause friction and discontent. Ultimately, it’s best to decide if you can deal with your feelings of attraction for someone else or if you need to address the root issue that’s causing them. If you need to, seek counseling from a marriage and family therapist. They can help you determine if your feelings for your crush are mutual and how to proceed. If they aren’t, then it might be time to end the relationship. If you’re in a monogamous relationship, then you should also talk to your partner about the crush and see how they feel. They can help you determine whether your crush is something to work through or if it’s an indication that there is more serious problem in the relationship.