How To Stop Liking Someone – 16 Tips
It's not going to be easy, but it's time to end a sad chapter and prioritize yourself.
Joseph Moore is an ace relationship coach and public speaker who started coaching in 2015. Although Joseph is a trained electrical engineer from the University of Chester, he found passion in helping people get it right with their love life. His passion and experience of over 6 years made him set up a relationship blog where he shares relationship advice with hundreds of people across the globe.
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Experience: 4 yearsSneha has a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, a professional Relationship Coach diploma, and over four years of experience in writing. She writes about relationships and lifestyle.Sneha began her career as an instructional designer, shifted to freelance technical and research writing, and self-published a novella on the theme of adolescent mental health.
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Experience: 2.5 yearsShatabdi is an associate editor and an alumnus of Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the world of literature and expression. She has worked with various organizations and websites operating in different industries, ranging from education to lifestyle, showing her adaptability and drive to learn.
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Experience: 3 yearsGracia Odile is a teacher-turned-beauty and lifestyle writer with three years of professional experience. She has a bachelor's degree in English from St. Stephen's College, a master's in Anthropology from the University of Madras, and a degree in education from GGSIPU.
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There are some moments in life when you like someone, but they don’t return your feelings. It hurts, but you need to move on. So, you may wonder how to stop liking someone.
Consider Julianne in the film My Best Friend’s Wedding, who only has platonic feelings for her friend Michael until she discovers he is getting hitched. She embarks on a journey to reclaim him, attempting to wreck his wedding to claim him as her own, but to no avail. But, unlike romantic movies, this one does not have a fairytale ending. Instead, it has a pragmatic finale in which you understand that fairytales don’t always come true.
It is very normal to be drawn to a particular person. But if the feelings are not reciprocated, the emotions might intensify and become a major burden. Things may not always turn out the way we expect. However, accepting that there is no chance for a relationship and moving on is a good start even though it is easier said than done. This is where we step in. In this article, we provide 16 tips on how to stop liking someone and get on with your life. Keep reading to find out!
In This Article
How To Stop Liking Someone
While it may seem impossible to let go of those intense feelings, it is doable. You should know your self-worth and jump on the high horse of happiness rather than dwelling in sadness over someone who wasn’t yours, to begin with. Recognizing and accepting that it’s normal to have a crush can help in processing those feelings. By giving yourself permission to feel without judgment, you create a space for personal growth. This can help you move on easily. Here are some helpful tips to assist you in moving on:
1. Keep Your Distance
The first step to take would be to maintain a safe distance from him. Do not text him or call him or even look at his Instagram stories. In case you might have to talk to him for some reason, make sure to keep personal discussions off the table. For instance, if he’s your colleague and you need to talk about some urgent assignment at work, try to limit the conversation to just that topic.
2. Pour Your Heart Out Into Writing
When you can’t talk about something, it helps to gather all your thoughts and write them out instead. This journaling will help put the finger on exactly what you are feeling and sort out your thoughts. It is a great method to be honest with your inner self and figure out what attracted you to them in the first place. This will also help you in knowing what you want your future partners to be like.
3. Cut Off Any Physical Contact
This could be a difficult task to accomplish, but it only serves a greater purpose of restoring your happiness. Unless you two work or study together, you should avoid the guy and keep him out of your personal space.
4. Don’t Stalk Him On Social Media Apps
We are all guilty of stalking our crushes on social media platforms, right? It is very easy to get sucked into being a cyberstalker when it involves someone you are deeply attracted to. What you need to do is unfollow or block them on all social media accounts to protect your own sanity. This will provide you ample time and space to move on.
5. Discard Any Reminders
When you are constantly around things or items that always remind you of someone you are trying to forget, you will find yourself stuck in that inevitable circle of feelings you are trying to fight. Did you two always share a bar of chocolate before a big presentation? Were they the ones to give you those earrings you loved wearing with every outfit? Well, it’s time to keep them at a distance. “Out of sight, out of mind” works best when you can’t get rid of something permanently.
6. Jot Down What You Liked About Him
Now, this might sound completely absurd and contradictory, but there’s a reason to try this out. Start to pen down those traits that made you feel attracted to him. Why, you ask?
Well, instead of letting your thoughts go haywire in your head, it is better to have it all out on paper. This will keep your mind from obsessing over them. Additionally, you now know what you would want in a man you wish to settle with in your future.
7. Write Down The Cons Too
You are done with the pros. Now, it’s time to pour down the cons on paper. Write a list of traits that you do not like about him, but make sure the number is the same as the list you have made before. Consider all the things he has ever said that you didn’t appreciate or things he did that weren’t likable. This task will help you take a step back from everything and understand why this could have happened for good, after all.
Quick TipAlternatively, you can think about potential red flags, lifestyle differences, or how this relationship could have affected your other bonds. This may keep your mind away from the person.
8. Date Other Men
Nothing will keep your mind off a guy than going out and getting back in the game of dating others. When you put yourself out there, you never know what a gem you can find. But if you spend your time obsessing over a relationship with that guy, you might miss a great chance. Know that there are plenty of fish in the sea, and you deserve to go out and find one that is worth your time.
Tabitha, a YouTuber, describes her experience and gives tips on how to stop liking someone. She gives insight into what she does to release her emotions and feelings like she does art and writes music. She further adds, “I write music I don’t even show some of the songs that I write it’s just for me to put my words and my feelings my creativeness into something so that I feel better (i).”
9. Keep Yourself Busy
Want to run a marathon you have been putting off? Want to go out and try your hand at an open mic comedy night? Now is your time. Go and do it all right away. Doing so acts as a distraction and lets you socialize with people outside of your circle who share the same interests. Practice meditation and mindfulness. Deep breathing exercises can help you calm yourself and keep anxiety at bay.
10. Ask Yourself If You Actually Love Them
Let’s get real. Do you really think you are in love with them, or is this a temporary infatuation? You might not know them completely to feel something for them. There could always be things about them that could end up being toxic for you. All you know is that you are attracted to them and what they portray themselves as. If it’s not love, you don’t need to give them a lot of thought.
11. Reconnect With Old Friends
Having your close friends and family near you in times of crisis like this can help you feel better. Surround yourself with people who support you in all your endeavors and cheer you up. These are the people who can give you the much-needed motivation to pick yourself up. If you feel your friends are not able to help you, you can also talk to a therapist or a professional about these feelings. Sometimes talking to a new person helps!
12. Focus On Yourself
Turning the attention away from him requires focusing just on yourself. Fill your schedule with things that you have always wanted to try out. Go on a solo foreign trip, start those salsa classes, or learn a new language. These things do take your attention off of him and also help you in your personal growth.
13. Get Away From That Monotonous Routine
Stop doing the same old chores and activities that you have been following for quite some time. If you are going to all those same places and crunching up the same routine, it will be even harder to take your mind off your crush. Get up, refresh, and reload your daily routine. Start going for a jog every morning or join a gym.
Quick TipAlternatively, you can start practicing yoga poses early in the morning daily. It may reduce the overwhelming stress of the one-sided liking status.
14. Be Kind To Yourself
Getting attracted to someone is normal. But if those feelings are not reciprocated, it doesn’t mean you will beat yourself up over the fact that you are not healing from the heartbreak as soon as you would have wanted to. It is a difficult process, so it is best that you stay kind to yourself first. The healing process might be slow but staying grounded and maintaining some coping strategies will be extremely helpful.
15. Listen To Sad Music
When you are feeling low, the best thing to do is to find music to connect the feeling with. You will undoubtedly come across songs where the lyrics feel like they have been composed especially for you, which is a comforting thought that you are not alone in the experience. Sad music can mirror your feelings, give voice to your emotions, and help channel them through tears. It is a healthy coping mechanism that helps deal with the grief and brings in calmness and peacefulness.
16. Meet New People
Distraction is one of the best ways to overcome a relationship. Your friends and family may seem overly empathetic towards you, which you probably detest; hence, meeting new people can help reinvent yourself.. Join a club involved in things that you like to do, so you can keep busy and make new friends with whom you can start afresh.
Key Takeaways
- It may seem impossible to let go of your feelings for a person, but it is possible to move on.
- In such situations, accepting that there is no chance and moving on is the best thing to do.
- You can engage your mind somewhere else, maintain distance from the person, and shift your focus on yourself.
Infographic: 7 Helpful Tips On How To Stop Liking Someone
Breakups or having feelings for someone who doesn’t feel the same way can be challenging and painful. Remember that it’s okay to feel hurt and that healing takes time, but with patience and self-care, you can move forward and find happiness again. While it is not easy to stop liking someone overnight, here are some helpful tips to make the process easier. Check out the infographic below!
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
You might wonder, can you ever stop loving someone? We have so many whys and hows in our minds. After an intense affair or long union, it is pretty challenging to stop liking someone. Unreciprocated feelings can leave you quite hurt and question your self-worth. It can be a big blow to your confidence when you want someone who does not feel the same way or chooses someone else over you. Here, letting go or finding closure becomes crucial to any sort of emotional detachment and overcoming feelings of love towards them. The best way to deal with such situations is to immediately distance yourself from them on all fronts, remind yourself about their shortcomings, get back into the dating pool, and focus on yourself. It will not do you any good to keep thinking about what might have been. Rather, loving yourself, indulging in self-care, practicing positive self-reflection, and moving on is the best step for you. You can also meet people who are going through something similar or have been through this situation before. They will be able to understand you and tell you about what helped them move on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the average crush last?
There is no set time limit for a crush. It can last a few months or even years.
When should you give up on liking someone?
You should stop liking someone if the other person is not interested or in a committed relationship with someone else.
Why can’t I get over my crush?
One of the reasons why you can’t get over your crush is because you have made that person the central focus of your life. You think about them all the time and have involuntarily trained your mind to constantly seek them. This makes it difficult to get over your crush.
Illustration: How To Stop Liking Someone – 16 Tips
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Feeling like you can’t stop liking someone and you’re stuck in one place? Learn how to move on and find peace with this helpful video. Click to play!
Personal Experience: Source
StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. How To Stop Liking Your Crush (worked for me)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8ZF_u-Cz3A
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