Editing How to Act Normal Around Your Crush (section)

== Manage Nervousness and Overthinking ==
It’s completely '''normal to feel nervous''' around your crush – that just means they matter to you. The trick is managing those jitters so they don’t overwhelm you. Here are some strategies to stay cool and think clearly when butterflies strike:

* '''Take a deep breath and ground yourself.''' If you feel your heart racing or thoughts spiraling, pause and breathe. A few slow, deep breaths can physiologically calm your nerves. Remind yourself that it’s okay to be a bit anxious – the situation is exciting, after all. Simple grounding techniques like focusing on the present moment (notice the room you’re in, the sounds, your breathing) can help pull you out of your head. In fact, experts recommend breathing exercises or even visualizing a positive outcome to settle anxiety (29 Tips to Talk to Your Crush (Without The Awkwardness!)). Before approaching your crush, you might quickly imagine the conversation going well, or recall a small success you’ve had talking with them or someone new. This puts you in a calmer, more confident mindset.
* '''Change your perspective – they’re human too.''' Instead of psyching yourself out by thinking of your crush as this ''perfect person'', try viewing them more like a friend. At the end of the day, they’re a regular person with thoughts and feelings, just like you. Treating them as a friend you want to know (rather than a judge of you) removes some pressure (25 Great Secrets to Get Comfortable Around Your Crush - HeartMush). You’ll focus less on impressing them and more on genuinely talking and listening, which naturally makes you act more relaxed.
* '''Start small if you’re extremely nervous.''' If face-to-face conversations are too intimidating at first, ease into it. You could start by interacting through text or social media, where you have a bit more time to think and don’t have to respond on the spot (25 Great Secrets to Get Comfortable Around Your Crush - HeartMush). For example, you might comment on a post of theirs or chat via messages about a shared class or interest. This lets you show your personality without the immediate pressure of in-person interaction, and it can build up some familiarity. Once you’ve texted a bit, talking in person won’t feel so out-of-the-blue. Similarly, saying a quick “hi” in passing or having very short chats (even just a few seconds) can gradually reduce your anxiety each time.
* '''Prepare a few talking points (but don’t over-script).''' One reason we overthink is the fear of awkward silence. To combat this, it can help to have a couple of conversation starters in mind ahead of time. Think of two or three light topics or questions you could bring up – maybe a funny thing that happened at school/work, a new movie out, or something you know they like (e.g. “I remember you love soccer – did you catch the game last night?”). Just having these in your back pocket can boost your confidence (29 Tips to Talk to Your Crush (Without The Awkwardness!)) (29 Tips to Talk to Your Crush (Without The Awkwardness!)), even if you don’t end up needing them. That said, don’t script entire conversations or you’ll get thrown off if they steer in a different direction. Jotting down a few ideas is fine; the rest can flow naturally.
* '''Don’t punish yourself for feeling nervous.''' You might worry that your crush will notice your anxiety, but a little nervousness is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, it can be endearing if handled with a smile. If you stumble on a word or say something silly, '''don’t overthink it''' or replay it in your head a hundred times later. Everyone has awkward moments – your crush likely won’t dwell on it as much as you imagine (25 Great Secrets to Get Comfortable Around Your Crush - HeartMush). So cut yourself some slack. If you start internally freaking out (“Why did I say that?!”), remind yourself that it probably wasn’t a big deal. Learning to laugh off minor blunders will help you stay natural and move on instead of freezing up.