A crush is a sudden, usually unrequited infatuation with a person. It can elicit an amazing range of emotions — awe, excitement, fear — and may lead to a relationship or it might go unrequited, leaving you feeling crushed. Having a crush can boost your self-esteem, make you feel energized and help you to feel more confident. It can also awaken feelings that were previously dormant.
There’s no clinical definition of a crush, but there are some characteristics that distinguish it from a more serious romantic engagement, New York City-based therapist Dr. Bukky Kolawole told INSIDER. The biggest difference is that “crushes are rooted in fantasy, so you have little pieces of information about your crush and then project your own values onto them,” Kolawole said.
One of the most common reactions is to act shyly around your crush. You might blush incessantly, find it difficult to talk and may even avoid eye contact. You might be tempted to tease them, but it’s important not to make your crush uncomfortable. Another sign is when you want to spend time with your crush.
In the early 1800s, crush was used to describe a sexual fascination, but by the 1890s it was being cited as a synonym for love. The word combines elements of two older terms: mash, meaning head over heels in love, and crush, which has been used for several different types of intense feelings.
The dictionary describes a crush as “a feeling of extreme fondness or admiration for someone.” It’s not uncommon to have multiple crushes at once, which can be both fun and confusing. A crush can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you act and how the relationship progresses.
In a movie, a crush is usually the main character’s attraction and source of conflict. Often, they are unrequited, which can be a bummer but it’s good to remember that not all crushes end in a romance. Having a crush can be inspiring and energizing, so it’s important to enjoy the experience and take some time for yourself in the meantime.
Sammi Cohen’s Crush does a few things well, such as the easy chemistry between Blanchard and Cravalho and queer WOC representation. However, it doesn’t do much to subvert rom com tropes and leaves the viewer with a feeling of being flattened by its familiarity. Its only artistic flourish occurs when Paige’s longtime crush Gabby walks into the room. Her line of sight is sprayed with colorful water colors, and it’s the only moment that feels like a true depiction of a teenage crush.