Love hurts when it’s not returned. You love them. They don’t love you back. Simple, but painful.
What’s Unrequited Love?
It’s one-sided love. Picture this: You’ve loved your best friend for years. They see you as just a pal. You spill your guts. They don’t feel the same. Ouch.
Spotting One-Way Love
How do you know it’s unrequited? They:
- Ignore you
- Say they don’t love you
- Date others
- Break up with you
- Offer only friendship
Actions trump words. Always.
Three Things to Know
- They might not know. Some folks have no clue they have an admirer. Tell them?
- They might pretend not to know. Some know but act clueless. Why? No feelings, fear, or bad timing.
- Two-way love can get blocked. Love fades. Life happens. Conditions for love can stop, even if feelings linger.
Why Does It Happen?
Mismatches cause unrequited love. You fall for someone “out of your league.” Dr. Roy Baumeister says it’s about market value.
Friendship breeds one-sided love too. Regular contact sparks feelings. Work, school, hobbies – they’re all breeding grounds for unrequited love.
Fixing Unrequited Love
Move on. It’s the smart play. Travel. Chase goals. Find mutual love.
But what if it wasn’t always one-sided? After a breakup, you might need to escape the friend zone. Try to reconnect. If that fails, then move on.
