What does it feel like having a crush?

Having a crush is a special, yet sometimes complicated feeling. It can range from joy and anticipation to anxiety and stress. A crush not only keeps our hearts fluttering but it can also shape our behavior and attitude. In this essay, I will discuss what it feels like to have a crush, from the perspective of both the person who has a crush and the one being crushed on.

Having a crush can be an exhilarating and thrilling experience. It can cause a person to feel a range of emotions, such as joy, anxiety, and anticipation. According to DP Slattery in his article from Jung Journal: Culture & Psyche (2015), “crushes are a form of attachment that can tap into a range of emotions, both positive and negative”. He further elaborates that, for many people, having a crush is a “pre-romantic experience” that can bring about a feeling of heightened emotion and a sense of anticipation for what the future may bring. This idea of “anticipation” is particularly interesting as it can create a strong desire to find out more about the object of their affection and become closer to them. This feeling of anticipation is often accompanied by a longing to understand the other person better, as well as a desire to be accepted by them. Ultimately, having a crush can be an exhilarating experience that can fill a person with a sense of wonder and hope.

 

Adolescent crushes can be an emotionally charged and tumultuous experience for young people. According to to BE Johnson in The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational …, 1939, "emotions during these adolescent crushes are usually extreme and often irrational." This can lead to intense feelings of euphoria or alternatively, disappointment that can be difficult for an adolescent to manage. Relationship dynamics can be complex during adolescence, as adolescents may not have a clear understanding of how to cope with the intense emotions associated with their crushes. To further complicate matters, adolescents may be prone to idealizing their crushes, leading to unrealistic expectations and disappointment when these expectations are not met. It is important for adults to be understanding and supportive of adolescents who are dealing with the intense and often irrational emotions associated with their crushes. Such support can help adolescents learn to manage their emotions in a healthy way and develop positive attitudes toward relationships.

 

Crushes can be an emotional rollercoaster. They can bring out both positive and negative emotions, from the excitement of getting a crush to the disappointment of not having the crush reciprocated. J Sennit, in her article “The School Librarian”, states that “Having a crush can be complicated, yet exciting, and can cause us to behave in ways that can surprise us” (2016). A crush can cause us to feel butterflies in our stomachs, an increase in our confidence, and a feeling of being on cloud nine. It can also cause us to feel anxious, embarrassed, and even hopeless. These emotional rollercoaster rides can be difficult to navigate, as it can be hard to cope with these intense emotional states. It is important to have a support system of reliable friends and family, as they can offer advice and provide a listening ear. Furthermore, it is important to keep in mind that crushes are a natural part of life and that it is important to accept the highs and lows of the emotional rollercoaster.

 

Having a crush can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. It can bring out strong feelings of excitement and anticipation. At the same time, it can cause worries about whether the other person feels the same or worrying about how to start a conversation or deliver a message. While it is entirely normal to feel overwhelmed by having a crush, it can also be a time of learning. It teaches us about communication and how to care for someone other than ourselves. It is important to take it slow and recognize that crushes are a learning opportunity, before diving into something serious!

 

Work Cited

"Dennis Patrick Slattery on a Beloved Work of Art."https://www.jstor.org/stable/26596706

"Crush."https://search.proquest.com/openview/3fda462c481b78bdb10db05c283760b6/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=296199

"Adolescent Crushes and the teacher's responsibility."https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00098655.1939.11475228