It’s beautiful, isn’t it? The whole falling in love phase. The intense desire to constantly be with them, hold their hands, and listen to them talk all day long. You are lost daydreaming about them. At the same time, you are worried that your feelings won’t be reciprocated. In times like these when you don’t have a clue about the other person’s feelings, you need to look for smooth ways to tell your crush you like them.
Should You Tell Someone Your Feelings For Them?
If you have fallen hopelessly in love with them, then yes. You have to tell them. You can’t deny the fear of rejection that’s flooding your thoughts. According to PhD psychologist Tom G.Stevens, “Underlying your fear of rejection might be a fear of being or living alone. You might fear ending up all alone in the world with no one who really cares.” You are scared to get rejected. But what if they love you back? That’s always a 50-50 chance, isn’t it? Don’t miss out on such an amazing person just because you are afraid they won’t give you the kind of love you are seeking from them. Because who knows! They could even be your soulmate. There’s no science to identify if soulmates are real but according to a poll, 73% of Americans believe in soulmates. So, why not try your luck and find out if they’re as interested in you as you are in them? On the contrary, listed below are a few circumstances when you shouldn’t tell someone you have feelings for them.
When they are dating or in a relationship with someone elseIf they have referred to you as their sibling If they have already told you they aren’t interested in a romantic relationship with youIf you have dated any of their best friends or siblings and vice versaIf they encourage you to go on dates with other people When they constantly friend-zone you
If they haven’t done any of the above-mentioned things, then read on to find out how to tell someone you have feelings for them without scaring them away.
Beautiful Ways To Tell Someone You Have Feelings For Them
Before you go out on a limb and confess your love, go through your feelings. Clarify what you feel for them and what you want from them. Is it infatuation? Do you just want a casual relationship with them? Are you just experiencing signs of sexual tension you can’t ignore? Or do you see a happy and harmonious future together? You can tell someone you like them without ruining your friendship if you’re clear about your feelings beforehand. Once your feelings are established within you, find out how to tell someone you have feelings for them using the following tips.
1. Make them feel special
This is one of the most beautiful ways to tell someone you like them over text without being obvious. When you tell someone that they are special, they will understand that they have a place in your life that won’t be filled by just another Joe and Jane. Some other beautiful phrases to tell someone you have feelings for them without saying it are:
I love spending time with youYou inspire me to be a better personI am grateful to have you in my life
2. Send them memes
Memes have become a universal love language these days. You see a meme, you think of someone, and you send it to them. How sweet is that! Send them funny memes and make them laugh. This is not a direct way to tell them you like them but it will let them know they are on your mind.
3. Compliment them
We all love to receive compliments especially if it’s from someone we like. This is one of the smooth ways to tell your crush you like them without coming off too strong. Just don’t make it creepy by telling them they have nice feet or a beautiful mouth. If they compliment you back, then it’s one of the sure-shot signs your crush likes you back. Compliment them in a sweet way like:
I like your smileYou have a great sense of humorI like your sense of styleYour hairstyle really suits you
4. Flirt with them
Flirting doesn’t come easy to everyone. Sometimes we mess it up so badly that we think about it years later and still cringe. Have a strong gaze game. Look at their eyes and lips. Let them catch you looking at them. If you want to tell someone you like them without ruining your friendship, then try such subtle ways of flirting.
5. Sit close to them
Tell someone you have feelings for them without saying it in words, but by gestures and actions. Sit close to them but don’t sit so close that they mistake your proximity to you violating boundaries. Sit somewhere between slight physical touch to 18 inches away from them as that’s commonly known as the ‘intimate zone’. Direct and lean your body toward them and see if they pull back. If they don’t, then they are attracted to you as well.
6. Touch them but not in a creepy way
Touch is one of the love languages. It releases the bonding and feel-good hormone oxytocin, which is an instinctive way to strengthen your connection. We are not talking about touch in a sexual manner. Nothing erotic, just a slight graze of fingers or arms. If they aren’t offended or taken aback by this, then it’s one of the undeniable mutual attraction signs which can’t be ignored.
7. Keep smiling
How to tell someone you have feelings for them without actually saying it out loud? Let your expressions do all the talking. Smile at them. Smile warmly and gently whenever you look at them or when they look at you.
8. Wear their favorite color
This is one of the things I used to do to impress my crush. His favorite color is black. I made sure I wore a black dress on an outing with friends. When no one was around, he looked at me for a few seconds and said, “Black is your color.” Believe me, I couldn’t stop blushing the entire time he was around.
9. Give them small gifts
How to tell someone you like them? Get them gifts as gift giving is a love language which not a lot of people are aware of. These gifts don’t have to be expensive or extravagant. A fresh rose, a couple of chocolates, a keychain, a paperweight, or just a coffee mug is enough to tell someone you have feelings for them without saying it. Just make sure they are aware that you don’t go around making such sweet gestures toward everyone.
10. Listen to them and remember the tiny details
How to tell someone you have feelings for them? Be a good listener. It’s important to be a good listener when you want to impress your crush. Remembering the tiny details will act as a booster. I’ve always been a great listener but I become even more alert and responsive when I am talking to my crush. The other day he was talking about his cousin who lives abroad and I immediately responded by asking, “The cousin who lives in Dublin?” He was surprised that I listened and remembered everything he said.
11. Show them every side of you
If you want to know how to tell someone you like them and want them to like you just as you are, then show them every side of you. The good, the bad, the best, and the ugly. Don’t hide yourself and try to appear perfect. Nobody is perfect. Ask questions to build emotional intimacy between the two of you. When you and your crush are being your true and honest self while answering the questions, an unbreakable bond will be created.
12. Appreciate all their qualities
This is one of the many smooth ways to tell your crush you like them. When they reveal their good and bad traits, don’t get scared. If they tell you about certain insecurities, don’t get alarmed or make a big deal about it. When I asked my friend Scott how to tell someone you have feelings for them, he replied in the simplest of ways. He said, “When they share their vulnerabilities and secrets with you, protect them as you would protect yours.”
13. Show interest in the things they like
They like all things art? Take them to a museum. They love wine? Take them to a vineyard or wine tasting events. They love books? Accompany them to a library and ask them to recommend a book for you. We are all so busy with our lives that we hardly manage to pursue our own hobbies. When you go out of your way to take interest in the things they like, they will know you have genuine feelings toward them.
14. Talk to your friends
Your friends probably know your situation. They might have even met your crush and analyzed their behavior toward you. Get their tips. Ask them if they sensed a vibe of reciprocation from your crush’s side. If they are positive about it, then you are all set to go ahead and confess.
15. Don’t make a big deal about confessing
Saying ‘I love you’ for the first time can be a little daunting. You are already a nervous wreck from trying to find the right words to confess. Don’t multiply the pressure by planning an over-the-top evening for your crush. Don’t go down on one knee, book the entire hotel, or get them expensive gifts for this purpose. Keep it simple and avoid going overboard.
16. Pick the right moment and place
The reason this is so important is that you want everything to be on your side. Choose a place where you are both comfortable. Don’t blurt out you like them when they are talking about work stress or if they are sharing a family problem. When and how to tell someone you have feelings for them? When they are in a good mood. But don’t go on prattling about how much you like them. This brings us to the next point.
17. Prepare your confession
Here’s a tip on how to tell someone you have feelings for them: make sure you plan and think about what you are going to say. I often fumble when I am nervous or agitated. So prepare beforehand. Don’t say “I love you” immediately like Ted did with Robin in the famous show How I Met Your Mother. Don’t scare them away by pulling the love card on your first date. Instead, say sweet things like:
“I really like you, Emma”“I feel an intimate connection with you, Sam”“Maybe we can go on a dinner date? I know this amazing restaurant that serves lobsters”
18. Be confident
Being confident is a smooth way to tell your crush you like them. Don’t be overconfident or cocky. Make sure you tell them what you want from them. If it’s just casual dating, then mention that you aren’t looking for anything serious. If it’s genuine attraction, let them know that you don’t mind committing if things go well down the lane.
19. Decide if you want to confess in person or on text
How to tell someone you have feelings for them? You can tell them in person. That’s the best way because you get to look into their eyes and hold their hand. You also get to see their expressions when you pour your heart out. Or you can do what Violet, a reader from Ohio, did, “I was way too anxious about confessing in person, so I messaged them that I’m starting to like them more and more every day.” She giggles and adds, “It went well!”
20. Give them space to process this information
You think the hard part is over? Not yet. Once you confess and tell someone you like them, don’t bombard them with messages and phone calls asking them for their reply. Step away. Find out ways to stop obsessing over them and let them take their time. If this confession came out of nowhere and they weren’t expecting it, they will need some time to process this information. Let them think about it and don’t rush their decision.
21. Don’t compel them to make plans with you
If they have asked you to give them space to process this, don’t keep asking them if they want to meet you for lunch. Don’t insist upon meeting or hold them to the plans they had made with you before the confession. If they like you back, you wouldn’t have to beg for a date. Let them approach you first.
22. Respect their decision
If they say yes, then three cheers for you. Go on and plan cute dates with them. Your quest for how to tell someone you have feelings for them has come to fruition. But if their answer is no, then be proud of yourself that you overcame so much nervousness and confessed your feelings. Learn how to get over unrequited love and cope with your feelings in a healthy way.
23. Don’t be afraid of rejection
Suppose they don’t reciprocate your feelings. Your heart will break and you will shed tears but at least you won’t have to live with the regret of not confessing. Rejections are a part of life. You don’t have to hate them for it. They rejected you, take it with a pinch of salt and move on. There are plenty of fish in the sea. Love makes the world ten times more beautiful, it makes you a better person, and it adds color to your life. It makes life worth living. If you want to confess your love, then we hope the above-mentioned ways on how to tell someone you like them help you immensely.
