You can't finish thinking about them, you blush every time they talk to yous, you're fantasizing about your future together... what yous have here is a crush. Once you've admitted to that, your side by side step is to tell them how yous feel. Telling someone y'all like them tin sound like a daunting experience, and TBH, information technology is non easy.

That's why Seventeen spoke with Maria Sullivan, dating proficient and vice president of Dating.com, for advice on how to tell someone you like them in the least awkward style possible. Here are her best tips to make this confession as painless equally possible. And hey, maybe the next time you'll be back here will be for beginning date ideas!

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Drop a few hints

If you're feeling extra nervous well-nigh revealing your feelings, attempt hinting at your crush and see how they respond. Brand eye contact, tease them playfully, or transport a flirty text. "It can help diffuse whatever associated force per unit area and motivate your crush to consider a relationship with you," says Sullivan.

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Give yourself a borderline

Hold yourself accountable, Sullivan says. And setting a deadline for yourself to talk to your trounce will practise only that. Sometimes, your nerves can get the best of you and yous might push information technology off for style likewise long. If that's the case, don't exist afraid to pick a engagement on your calendar and set that personal borderline. The longer yous expect, the more than time you give yourself to completely overthink the situation and brand things even more awks!

Talk to your friends

There'southward aught that a pep talk from your bestie can't fix — especially if you are feeling unsure of yourself or your feelings. Information technology almost always helps to talk information technology out with someone, and if they have been in a similar state of affairs before, they can offer some corking communication. Your close friends know you better than most, and can provide just the confidence boost you demand. Afterwards confiding in them, you're going to be more than ready to tell your trounce merely exactly how yous feel.

Be confident

This one is manifestly easier said than done, but confidence and clarity will make a complete difference in your convo with your crush. "No one is built-in an practiced at this," Sullivan says. "Even the most seasoned daters have to brace themselves for the potential of rejection."

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Practice what you want to say

A little preparation never hurts, right? Information technology might experience strange, simply thinking about you want to say, fifty-fifty rehearsing it a bit in your head, could alleviate some pressure when information technology comes time to disembalm your feelings. If yous adopt taking pen to paper, endeavor writing your thoughts out in a journal or on your telephone. Doing this could help you stay clear and concise when you finally talk to your crush, and peradventure even preclude you from proverb something you regret.

Make information technology like shooting fish in a barrel for them

Keep in heed that although you want to hope for the all-time, it's possible that your shell might not reciprocate your feelings. TBH, rejection sucks, but it's also a gamble that comes with being vulnerable. So when you're sharing your feelings, make certain that you don't make them experience like they take to respond.

"Be mindful that the person y'all are telling has an obligation to their own feelings," says Sullivan. "Set up the conversation in a way where he or she knows they have the option to exercise what'south right for them as well."

Just likewise brand sure yous're comfortable

You're probably too decorated thinking most how you lot don't want to make them feel weird, but it's super important that you're comfy, too. And if texting is comfortable for you, do that! You might call back texting something so personal is thoughtless or weird, but Sullivan really thinks sending a text is totally fine.

"Declaring your feelings via text tin remove any immediate daze from the state of affairs, making it easier for the recipient to provide a meaningful response," she says. "There is no single right manner to go nearly telling someone how y'all feel and nothing should be ruled out."

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Selection the perfect location

If you do decide to tell your shell how you feel IRL, make certain you get the location simply right. You likely don't desire to confess your feelings in a crowded coffee shop, or blurt it out in the hallway betwixt form. Consider where you feel most at ease — perhaps on a walk, on the beach, or at the park — and inquire if you two can chat alone there. A individual or semi-private setting provides the space for an open, honest conversation.

Be yourself!

Don't attempt to act any differently because you think your crush volition you receive you better. If that's the case, then they are probably not the right person for you anyway! Nerves are of class normal, but endeavor to keep calm and remain true to who you are — it'southward the best way to establish a meaningful connection.

Consider how y'all would feel if you lot d idn't tell them

Sullivan refers to this tactic as testing the "do nothing" scenario to evaluate if yous should fifty-fifty confess your crush. Consider how you'd experience if your beat out moved away and never discover out how you felt about them, Sullivan says. "Does the missed opportunity upset yous? If and so, yous are probable already besides invested not to find out what could be." Call up that doing cypher could lead to even more regret!

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Look at the large picture

The thought of your crush admitting they don't feel the aforementioned style virtually you tin feel Atrocious. But likewise remember that it is not the end of the world if you lot face rejection or indifference — life will go on. "Try to run into the big moving-picture show and scale the problem down to actual size," Sullivan says.

You accept your BFFs, family unit, dog, cat... so many companions to honey and be loved by. On to the adjacent!

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Stay positive

While it's important to consider the realistic possibilities, you lot should also continue a positive outlook. Your beat could totally reciprocate and you could live happily ever subsequently (OK, perchance non, but it could happen!).

If y'all don't feel super confident, fake it! Smiling, stay calm, and say everything you demand to say. "Whether y'all make the move online or offline, grinning tin trick your encephalon into lowering your heart rate, reducing stress, and boosting your mood," says Sullivan.

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