Romantic interest
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Do not hang around a friend with the hope that they will change their sexual orientation.
It is unfair to them.
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Focus on your own happiness by continuing to date or treating yourself to small pleasures like coffee.
It is normal and you are worth it.
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Accept and respect a friend's decision to end the friendship if it helps them manage romantic feelings for you.
They are taking care of themselves and doing what is best for them.
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Label intense feelings for someone you have never dated as infatuation rather than love.
It is not worth the risk.
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If you want more than a friendship, confess your feelings sooner rather than later.
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Keep casual hookups within a shared friend group private.
Others may pester the couple for weeks if it becomes known.
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Take a break from a friend you confessed feelings to and invest energy in other people.
Trying to act normal is awkward because things are no longer normal; distance helps open you to new possibilities.
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Reframe romantic rejection as practice for handling disappointment positively in post-high school life.
Going after what you want and dealing with the outcome acts as a springboard for future adventures.
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Avoid pursuing someone who is seeing your friend to protect your reputation and the friendship.
Pursuing them risks being seen as untrustworthy and likely results in losing the friendship.
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Allow joy and sadness to coexist when a friend succeeds in romance.
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Focus on developing hobbies, meeting new people, and enjoying life instead of dwelling on a single rejection.
Letting one person's lack of interest ruin your year prevents you from having fun and making new connections.
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Accept that a crush choosing your friend is not a slight or insult, but simply what it is, and focus on wanting your friends to be happy.
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Go into a confession expecting nothing and accept the result.
You have not lost anything; the feeling of loss comes from building up an imaginary future in your head.
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View the courage to ask for someone's number as a success in itself, regardless of the outcome.
The act of asking is the achievement, not the subsequent interaction.
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Stop talking to someone you like if they are in a relationship or not interested romantically.
Trying to remain friends under these circumstances will only cause more hurt.
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Do not pretend to want only friendship if you have developed romantic feelings; honesty is better than deception.
Pretending to want only friendship when you have feelings is worse than being honest.
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Recognize that a friend who rejects you romantically may view you primarily as an emotional support rather than a potential partner.
They may want you for venting or fallback reasons but do not like you in a romantic way.
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Act on your romantic feelings sooner rather than later.
Waiting allows feelings to grow stronger one-sidedly, making rejection harder to handle.
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Distract yourself from heartbreak by getting to know other potential romantic interests.
It works as a distraction.
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Ask a potential romantic interest out directly; treat any response other than an enthusiastic 'yes' as a 'no'.
This provides a definite answer.
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Recognize that a partner who communicates with others while in a relationship may do the same with you.
It indicates a pattern of behavior rather than an isolated incident.
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Ask for a specific date to eliminate ambiguity about your intentions.
Dwelling on possibilities without acting is a waste of life.
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Discuss awkwardness via text after a sexual encounter with a friend to reestablish boundaries.
Communicating that you value the friendship and need to move on can help return interactions to normal.
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Talk to a new partner about relationship expectations and public displays of affection before acting on assumptions.
Assuming their comfort level can lead to them freaking out or feeling uncomfortable.
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Be honest about ending a friendship due to unrequited feelings rather than lying or ghosting.
Dishonesty denies the other person closure and sabotages the possibility of future friendship once you have moved on.
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Respect the other person's opinion and back off rather than pushing for a response.
To avoid appearing creepy and killing possibilities for future interactions.
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Avoid blocking someone based on rumors without proper information.
It is a foolish move driven by insecurity.
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Do not send texts declaring deep, insane love to someone who has blanked you.
It is overwhelming and inappropriate, especially if the relationship was casual or undefined.
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Communicate openly about your status and intentions to avoid misunderstandings.
Much conflict could have been avoided through communication.
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Recognize that providing emotional support to someone in a bad relationship may remove their incentive to leave, as they receive satisfaction from both you and their partner.
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Practice cracking situational jokes to add flavor and interest to interactions with women.
- It takes practice.
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