Buzz
It might feel like your heart is tightening when the person you secretly admire likes you... but also has feelings for someone else! So, what should you do when you're stuck in a love triangle? We’ll guide you on how to handle your emotions and convince the person you secretly adore that you are the right one for them.
Steps
Be Friendly with the Person You Admire and Your “Rival”
Anyone in this situation might feel jealous, but remember that kindness is also an attractive trait. We know it’s frustrating when the person you secretly like is also interested in someone else. However, you should still be polite to the other person and avoid gossiping or speaking negatively about them. Also, don’t be angry with the person you admire. Human emotions are hard to control, and over time, they’ll realize how amazing you are.
- Find ways to include them in activities with you. For example, you could invite them to sit with you during lunch.
- Compliment them to show you’re open to being friends. Try saying things like, “I really like Nhung’s shirt. Where did you get it?”
- Use positive language when posting on social media. Leave a sweet comment on the person’s feed, then spread positivity by writing friendly comments for the other person too.
Capture the Attention of the Person You Secretly Admire with Playful Flirting
Humor and fun challenges can help build a bond between the two of you. Smile when they’re around. Joke with them, send them funny memes, and connect over shared interests. When they see how much you have in common, they might want to spend more time with you. Most great relationships start with a strong friendship.
- Ask the person you’re crushing on if they’d like to do a TikTok or Instagram challenge with you and your friends.
- Challenge them to play online games with you, like Wordle or Among Us.
- Send them flirty texts if you’re feeling bold!
- Play quick games like “Truth or Dare” or “Would You Rather” over messages.
Learn More About the Person You Secretly Admire
The closer you get to the person you secretly admire, the higher your chances of winning their heart. Find out what they like by asking directly, checking their social media profiles, or talking to their friends. Once you know some of their favorite topics, you’ll have plenty to talk about.
- What’s their favorite food? Once you know, surprise them with a tasty snack.
- What kind of music do they enjoy? Subtly hint at your feelings by sharing a song with a message like, “This song reminds me of you.”
- What’s their ideal weekend? Use that information to plan an activity you can invite them to.
- What’s going on in their life? Send them an encouraging message if they have a big presentation or project coming up.
Try to Spend More Time with the Person You Secretly Admire
Spending more time with them can help you move beyond the friend zone. On a convenient occasion, start by inviting them to hang out with a group first. Ask them to watch a movie with friends, plan a picnic in the park with classmates, or add them to a group chat.
Spend time doing things you enjoy
Keep a busy schedule and avoid focusing too much on them. It's easy to get lost in thoughts about the person you like and constantly wonder if they feel the same. To avoid this, make a list of activities you enjoy, such as gaming, jogging, or baking an elaborate dessert, and try to do one thing from the list each day.
Focus on your amazing qualities
It's easy to compare yourself to the person your crush likes, but don't forget your own uniqueness. You have a list of talents, traits, and qualities that make you special.
Share your feelings with your friends
Opening up about your emotions can help you process them better. Friends might offer valuable advice, especially if they know the person you have a crush on. They might even have insights into whether that person likes you back or plans to ask you out.
Confess your feelings to them
Don’t hesitate to make the first move. When you express your feelings, they might realize they feel the same way—even if they seem interested in someone else. Respect their response. If they like you back, that’s great! If not, it’s okay. People can’t control their emotions, and their feelings don’t define your worth.
Limit contact with them if they don’t feel the same way
Give yourself time and space to heal. If the person you like decides to date someone else, it might help to step back and reduce the time you spend around them. Consider muting or unfollowing them on social media. Avoid group outings where they’ll be present and instead plan different activities with your friends.
Understand that you’ll find someone else
There’s someone out there who will appreciate you for who you are! While it might hurt now, these feelings will fade over time. Even if the person you like is amazing, remember there are others who might be even more compatible with you.
