Signs you just like the attention If you're only talking to them for attention, Wood says you might notice the following red flags: You feel anxious without their time or attention. You're emotionally unavailable, and you keep your guard up. You don't know much about them beyond the surface (and you don't care to).
You probably like someone for more than just their attention if you think of them all the time, even when they aren't around. If you ask them to do things on the weekend and initiate conversations because you are thinking about them, you're likely having strong feelings about them.
Do I feel safe with him? Safety is paramount in any relationship, and it can be a significant indicator of how much you like someone. If you're not on edge, trust him, and feel you can be vulnerable and honest with him, your feelings for him may go deeper than mere attention-seeking.
When you are truly like someone, you really look forward to any connection you may have. You constantly check your phone for texts, calls, emails, etc. Just thinking about your next conversation makes you smile ear to ear. If you are dating them just to kill time you might be too lazy to reply to their messages.
Confusion about love is incredibly common, whether you're heartsick over a potential partner or just unsure about how to express your feelings. If you're experiencing uncertainty when it comes to love and romance, one of the most effective solutions is to try to reflect on your own feelings, wants, and desires.
Difference between love and attachment
Love evokes fond feelings and actions toward the other person, particularly. Attachment is driven by how you feel about yourself with the degree of permanence and safety someone gives you, based on your past relationships.
Let him know that you understand that he isn't ready yet. Don't put pressure on him or try to make him fall in love with you. It's better if he comes up with his own decision. While he's taking his time, keep your cool and make sure to take care of yourself.
Experts agree that sometimes, your fears about relationships can make it especially hard to tell if you like someone. “Perhaps you are afraid of commitment in general,” explains Dr. Brown. “Oftentimes, these people are also afraid of ultimately being abandoned or of making the wrong choice to begin with.”
If you have fun when they're around but don't like the way they look, you may just want to be friends. If you want to be physically close to them, it may be genuine attraction. Ask yourself if you're physically attracted to them. Everyone has physical preferences when it comes to romantic partners.
Loving a concept rather a person means you can easily imagine replacing your partner for someone else. According to licensed clinical psychotherapist Dr. LeslieBeth Wish, the main thing that separates real, authentic love from loving the idea of someone is how attached you feel to your current partner.
Emophilia is defined by a tendency to fall in love quickly and often, which is associated with rapid romantic involvement. However, questions linger as to how it is different from anxious attachment, which also predicts rapid romantic involvement.
This first stage of the relationship may be referred to as the “honeymoon phase,” “puppy love,” or “infatuation.” In the first stage of a relationship, partners may try to impress each other and could feel open-minded and excited by someone else reciprocating attraction.
When considering whether you like someone, get curious about how you feel when they are around. If you are still confused about your feelings or want to explore research-backed methods for making difficult decisions, consider starting with an online or in-person counselor to discuss these concepts in further detail.
Things You Should Know
If you don't want to make plans with your partner, it's a red flag that you may not see a future with them. A change in physical intimacy and PDA may indicate that your feelings toward your partner are more platonic than romantic.
In the context of relationships, mixed signals are when a person is expressing interest in someone while also simultaneously expressing a lack of interest or a desire to keep their distance, causing confusion for the other person.
Whether it is work or personal life, his needs come first over yours, and he treats you like an option instead of a priority. He's always busy, you don't really go on any real dates together, and he gets upset if you ask for anything. These are worrying signs.
If you're wondering, “does he like me or not?” make sure to observe his actions. If he doesn't tell you he's attracted to you, you can tell by his body language and how his eyes move around. He might give you intense eye contact and look at your chest or check you out when you're across the room.
If you're not sure if a guy likes you but is hiding it, just ask him and let him tell you directly how he feels. It sounds scary, but it definitely doesn't have to be! A simple "Hey, I think you're really cool, and I'm kind of into you—are you into me?" is casual, direct, a little sexy, and also nonthreatening.
Infatuation is often a fantasy-based, passionate longing for someone else. It can prevent you from acknowledging their weaknesses, and may even land you in an unhealthy situation. Love is often based in reality and is fed on closeness and knowledge of the other person.
“Your dopamine levels instantly increase because you've detected something desirable in your environment. You are instantly focused and excited by the person you see. Your norepinephrine levels also increase which further focus you, but also make you nervous and a bit cautious.”