How do you get over a crush?

This post was sourced from submitted reader questions and posted by wikiHow Editorial Staff, based on our article: How to Move On from a Crush (And Stop Thinking About Them) .

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wikiHow Editorial Team

03/04/25 2:45pm

Accepting you have a crush is the first step to overcoming it. However, getting over a crush can take time (especially if you see them every day), so go easy on yourself if weeks pass and you're still hung up! If your crush is intense, you may even feel some grief at the thought of letting go of the fantasy of being with this person. It's important to let yourself feel your feelings, from sadness to anger to loneliness. Talking to trusted friends can help, as can journaling to process your emotions.

A shift in your mindset may help you overcome your crush too: we tend to idealize crushes and put them on pedestals, so reminding yourself that your crush is only human can help dispel the fantasy. Distract yourself by meeting new people and engaging in new hobbies: this may help remind you that there's more to life outside of your feelings for your crush.

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Chloe Carmichael, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

03/13/25 1:54pm

Getting over a crush starts with acknowledging your feelings while also giving yourself a firm nudge to move forward. Try redirecting your focus by filling your time with activities that bring you joy, such as hobbies, socializing, or personal goals. It can also help to reframe the situation as sometimes a crush is more about the excitement of possibility rather than the reality of a true connection. If you find yourself ruminating, using structured thought exercises like the Mental Shortlist Technique from my book Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety can help you contain and process those emotions in a healthy way.

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