When your crush is around, it’s natural to feel nervous, tongue-tied, and awkward. So learning how to act more relaxed and confident around your crush can help you connect with them and make a great impression.
So how do I act less nervous around my crush? When feeling nervous around your crush, you should:
- Treat your crush like a normal person, or a friend you are trying to get to know better
- Use deep breathing techniques to calm yourself down
- Come prepared with conversational topics and questions to prevent awkward silences
- Be kind, generous, polite, and pay compliments to your crush when it feels right
- Focus on listening attentively to your crush instead of analyzing and overthinking your own behavior
- Be conscious of your body language and the signals you are sending them
- Excuse yourself briefly from the conversation if you need space to compose yourself
To act naturally and try to make yourself feel less nervous, make casual small talk at first with your crush. Use humor moderately to lighten the mood and find common interests to discuss.
You should also mind your body language by standing tall, maintaining eye contact, and smiling when it feels right. If you’re feeling bold, give sincere compliments to your crush and ask them follow-up questions to keep the conversation flowing.
If needed, excuse yourself briefly from the situation with your crush if it gets too much. This gives you time to breathe and consider your next move.
With some practice and preparation, you’ll build confidence over time and learn to control those nerves to put your best self forward.
Why You Get Nervous Around Your Crush
It’s completely normal to feel nervous around someone you like! Your nerves likely stem from a desire to impress your crush and uncertainty about whether they like you back.
Here are some of the main reasons you may feel nervous and jittery around your crush:
- Fear of rejection – You probably really want your crush to like you back, so you feel nervous about saying or doing something that might get you rejected.
- Intimidation – Your crush seems so perfect, which is intimidating. You want to measure up.
- Feeling out of control – Crushes can make your emotions go haywire. You feel extra self-conscious because you can’t control your reactions as easily around them.
- Overthinking – You obsessively analyze your interactions with your crush, which amplifies your nerves.
- Lack of confidence – If you lack some self-confidence generally, this gets worse around your crush because you really care what they think.
Knowing why you feel nervous can help you start to tackle those emotions and react more calmly.
Ways To Stop Being Nervous Around Your Crush
When you get nervous around your crush, you probably have physical symptoms like sweating, shaking, blushing, and your mind may go blank.
Here are some tips to get control over those nerves:
1. Treat Your Crush Like a Normal Person
The first thing you should do is treat your crush like a normal person, or any other person and friend you might speak to. Try not to put your crush on a pedestal, or treat them with such huge importance.
If you take a step back and remind yourself that your crush is just like anyone else, or may be feeling nervous too. It can help calm your nerves and make you act more casually.
2. Take Slow, Deep Breaths
When you feel yourself panicking, breathe slowly and deeply from your diaphragm. Inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 3 seconds and exhale for 5 seconds. Repeat a few times until you feel calmer.
This helps counteract the adrenaline surge or nervous energy you may feel when your crush walks into the room. It can also help you stop yourself blushing when you see your crush.
3. Be Prepared with Some Conversation Topics
Your mind is likely to go blank when you’re anxious. Have some conversational topics or questions ready to fill any awkward silences.
It’s a good idea to read up on some current events, learn your crush’s interests, or suggest things you think they might find interesting.
4. Visualize a Relaxing Scene
Picture yourself somewhere peaceful and calm, like a beach, or somewhere cosy. Imagine the scenery, sounds, and sensations. Transporting your mind in this way can help elevate some of the nervous energy.
5. Shift Your Focus Outward
Instead of analyzing your own behavior and panic, focus on the conversation with your crush. Actively listen and make them the center of attention.
When you attentively focus on the conversation you and your crush are having. This can make your crush feel special and heard. It also sends them positive signals if you combine it with good eye contact and a smile.
6. Use Your Phone To Channel Nervous Energy
Having something like your phone in your hand can help you channel some of that nervous energy you may feel around your crush. You can use it to distract yourself from these feelings but don’t overdo it.
Use your phone to scroll through some feeds and take a breath, before continuing the conversation with your crush.
It can even be part of your conversation, with you showing them pictures, memes, or playing songs to take some of the focus away from you.
7. Use Positive Self-Talk
Counter anxious thoughts like “I’m going to embarrass myself” with affirmations like “I’ve got this!” and “I’m easy to talk to.”
Building yourself up in this way helps you build self-confidence, and belief that you can talk to your crush like any other person.
8. Come up With a Pre-Planned Exit
If your nerves feel truly unmanageable, plan an easy out like going to refill your drink so you can briefly remove yourself from the anxiety-inducing situation.
With practice, you can find ways to excuse yourself and find space around your crush gracefully. Take a deep breath and compose yourself before re-engaging in conversation.
Final Thoughts
Having a crush can turn you into a bundle of nerves. But understanding why you feel anxious and finding ways to calm yourself down can help you get control of those butterflies in your stomach.
With a bit of practice conversing with your crush and focusing your attention on them, you’ll start to feel more relaxed and able to just be yourself.
Once you’ve built up some confidence in interacting with them, summon the courage to ask them out or develop a deeper friendship.
Even if they say no, be proud of yourself for putting yourself out there. When you’re feeling tongue-tied or shaky around your crush, remember to take a deep breath and believe in your worth.
With the right mindset, you can master your nerves and make an amazing connection.
