You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered how long a crush lasts. There is no predetermined amount of time that a crush must last; it could last for several hours, days, weeks, months, or even years. A crush is an idealized version of that person that you like the idea of; you have a crush on them. It’s only about attraction.
How Long Does a Crush Last?
Keep in mind that falling in love is completely normal and healthy. Furthermore, let’s face it: having a crush is fun.
Although it might end in heartbreak, the drama leading up to it is thrilling and exciting. But when does a crush become too long-lasting?
In reality, according to psychologists, a typical crush usually lasts for FOUR MONTHS. If the feeling persists, what you feel is what we like to call, “being in love.”
Let’s be realistic, though, before we start to panic. Science is one thing, but it cannot quantify someone’s emotions. We’re all unique, so it’s okay if you’ve had a crush for a short while or a long time.
There will be times when you believe you are obsessed with your crush. Additionally, there will be days when you won’t give a damn about them. Not only do you need to know how long a crush lasts, but also how you plan to deal with it and, in the worst case scenario, how to move on as quickly as you can.
Crushes Don’t Have a Set Time Limit
A crush might fade away after a week or it might last for ten years.
- The #1 thing that determines whether a crush ends or not is whether the person with the crush acts on it.
- The #2 determinant of whether the crush ends is whether the person with the crush meets someone else.
If you don’t do anything about a crush and you don’t meet anyone else, that crush may continue indefinitely.
Many people create these complex fantasies in their minds about their crushes. There’s no reason to feel bad about it because most people engage in it. You picture yourself having conversations with this person, going on dates, and being open and intimate with them.
Inside of you, it feels wonderful.
However, the more elaborate this fantasy becomes, the more challenging it may be to act in the real world. The real world isn’t a fantasy, and if things don’t work out, your fantasy will come true. As a result, it seems like the stakes are getting higher. People become paralyzed as a result.
I have a lot of dating expertise and experience. But once upon a time, I was a lonely guy who crushed on the same girl for eight years. She would not leave my mind. How many other individuals are in the same boat as you will surprise you.
If you act on a crush and something happens, that might put an end to the crush. It might come to an end when you realize your crush has no interest in you at all. Or you get to know your crush a little better and find out they are nothing like your fantasy. It might also end because of that.
Another possibility is meeting your crush in person. Then it ceases to be a crush and becomes a relationship.
And in fact, this is one of the saddest things to happen to “mutual crushes” where neither party takes action. There are instances where two people have crushes on one another and both are aware of it, but neither takes any action. One of them will eventually meet someone else and let go of their crush. The other person is ultimately left behind, still yearning for the other person who has moved on.
My advice is to stiffen your spine and go ask your crush out if you don’t want to be the one left pining. If the response is “no,” then that’s fine; at least you now have a response. Go now and meet someone else.
Can a Crush Last for 7 Years Or So?
Typically, the term “crush” is used to describe intense, transitory, or brief feelings of attraction. How long a crush lasts, however, is difficult to say with any degree of certainty. While some crushes end in a matter of days or even hours, others can linger for a very long time. Therefore, a crush can last for years, maybe even seven.
What’s causing the attraction and infatuation is a crucial factor in determining how long a crush lasts. Crushes can disappear quickly if they are based solely on physical characteristics, such as appearance or sex arousal. Usually, when you begin to notice the personality flaws in a person, the bubble of how perfect they are bursts, and you stop being enamored with them.
Does Your Crush Know You Like Them?
We should therefore focus on the bright side of things for the time being. Have you expressed your feelings to the person you’re crushing on? Are they aware that you favor them? Or is this one of those hidden crushes that carries the burden of martyrdom? You like them, after all, and keeping this a secret from them won’t do you any good. Who knows—if you approached them properly, they might even like you back!
Follow the instructions in the aforementioned links if you haven’t moved on your crush yet. They work incredibly well, and you’ll probably be happy you tried them before giving up.
How Long Does a Crush Last before It Turns into Love?
A stage in a relationship where there is a crush-like feeling is referred to as “limerence” in psychological jargon. In this stage, the closer you are to your crush, the quicker the feelings fade.
This occurs because the feel-good neurochemicals dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin that are released when you develop a crush on someone start to plateau as you get to know them better – flaws and all. On the other hand, if the feelings are strong and shared, you may move past the limerence stage and into a romantic relationship. Intimacy increases as the crush progresses, either way. To answer the question, “Do crushes last forever?’ the answer is a big no. However, a crush could last a few months or years before evolving into love.
Why Do Some Crushes Last So Long?
The reason some crushes last so long has a direct correlation to how they end, which is with greater intimacy. A person’s crush may last for years or even decades if they don’t act on it or meet someone new.
Many people enjoy creating elaborate fantasies about their crushes in their heads, which is why this occurs. For instance, I made it a bedtime ritual to picture myself with my high school crush.
Each night I would imagine romantic situations in which we would express our feelings to one another and then simply melt away in the joy of our union. On occasion, I would picture him snooping into my bed at night or taking me out to dinner at some upscale restaurant in town. In other instances, I would talk to him for a very long time in my head before falling asleep.
These fantasies made me feel good in my head, but they also made me paralyzed with worry about what might happen if he didn’t feel the same way about me. That is precisely why some crushes last for so long, and that is precisely why it is difficult to let go of feelings for a crush, according to my then-school counselor.
Do You Really Want to Give Up and Move On?
Other factors might also make you give up and leave from time to time. Perhaps they rejected you. Or perhaps you’re not the one your crush likes—it’s your best friend. We have the steps you need to follow to quickly get over your crush, regardless of your motivations. If you’re convinced that the only thing you need to do now is move on, then read on.
How Do I Get Rid of My Crush?
Your crush will fade if you can establish a sincere connection with the other person. It is crucial to remember that being in a relationship with someone who satisfies your needs signifies a genuine connection. You are experiencing mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual fulfillment.
However, if you feel that your needs and values are not being filled, you will continue to search for that feeling of “completeness” in your crush since you only have access to the idealized version of them, which is often imagined as perfect.
1. Why Do You Like Them?
But why do you like this person, exactly? What is it about them that makes you so crazy? I doubt you’ve given this much serious consideration. But you need to look at why you actually like them. Additionally, how do you feel when you’re with them? You’re probably not being yourself around them because you have a crush on them, which is a sign that you’re fantasizing about the wrong person. [Feeling lost in life? Read this. How to find yourself again]
2. Treat It Like a Breakup
We all know you didn’t date them, so I know you didn’t. However, you must approach this as a breakup if you want to move on. Get into bed, watch a few chick flicks, start sobbing, and let everything out.
Whether you dated this person or not, you should be allowed to feel sad. Why not spend some time mourning your crush since you emotionally invested in them? [Read: How to say goodbye to the might-have-beens]
3. It’s All About Distance
He was in all of my classes, you see, and I like to think that’s why I couldn’t get over my crush. I mean, how can you maintain a distance from someone who is constantly in your presence? I understand, but you’ll need to work on putting some distance between you and your crush.
You need time away from them, so stay away from places where they congregate, stop stalking them on social media (because I know you do), and try to stay as far away from them as you can. [Read: How to get over someone you see every day without losing it]
4. Don’t Stalk Them on Social Media
If you spend your days ogling over their pictures, nothing will get done. Recall that you need a rest. Additionally, it implies through social media. Unfollow them as soon as you can. Delete them if you can. But really, you need to do it. I realize that this is difficult, but it’s amazing how quickly you forget about someone once they are taken off of your social media.
5. Don’t Ask About Them
Your source of information is probably through friends that you have in common. But please stop enquiring about your crush. I assure you that it will be difficult. However, stop bringing them up in conversation with others and eliminate them from your daily life. Informing your friends about your crush will prevent the news from escalating your feelings.
6. Get Honest With Yourself
Because of them, I have a crush. You weren’t going to spend any time with them. Consider your past relationships and how you handled your crushes. This one too will pass for you. We all experience strong emotions in the heat of the moment, but ultimately we all know the reality. It’s okay if you tried something and got the cold shoulder. You did your best, and it’s time to move on. [Read: 14 ways to get over someone you never dated and free your mind]
7. This Will Take Time
You can anticipate this to take longer if this person is a classmate or a coworker. Your emotions cannot be forced. You’ll feel awful while you’re trying to move on from them. I’m not going to make that up. You’ll experience feelings of rejection and brokenness, but this is just the process. It’s preferable to living in a fantasy.
Consequently, give yourself as much time as necessary to get over your crush. You’ll eventually stop considering them.
8. Meet New People
You shouldn’t immediately switch to another crush because of this. When you simply move on to someone else, getting over someone doesn’t work. That’s just the simple solution, if anything. You should seek out new acquaintances who will have a positive influence on you. Even better would be if none of these people knew about your crush. You can’t discuss them in that case. [Read: 16 easy ways to meet new people and find your crowd]
9. Get Busy
Consider this to be a breakup. Having said that, if you were breaking up with someone, I would advise you to spend your time doing activities you enjoy.
Try to avoid using your phone because doing so encourages compulsive snooping. I am well known for that, so I am familiar with the situation. Put simply, do anything to divert your attention, including things you enjoy doing and spending time with others. [Read: 20 reasons why someone may never like you back]
10. Flirt With Someone Else
Okay, so flirting always helps, and that’s not my first piece of advice. While it’s not necessary to find someone new to be obsessed with, casually flirting with strangers is a nice way to keep in mind that there are other people out there. It’s an ego boost.
FAQs
How Long Does a Crush Last for a Woman/Guy
In reality, according to psychologists, a typical crush usually lasts for FOUR MONTHS. If the feeling persists, what you feel is what we like to call, “being in love.”
How Long Does a Crush Last Psychology
As well, the term “limerence” is often used to describe the infatuation, crush-like stage of a relationship. Of course, a limerence stage can last a very short or long period of time, but, on average, this state generally lasts between three months and 36 months.