9 Tips To Stop Being Shy Around Your Crush

We all know how it feels to freeze up around our crush—it's completely normal. When we like someone but aren’t sure how they feel about us, we tend to overthink everything: how to act, what to say, and how to avoid making things awkward. And the more we overthink, the more likely we are to fumble.

But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Just be yourself, follow these tips, and you’ll slowly gain the confidence to approach the person you like.

Not everyone is a natural flirt. Sometimes the conversation sounds perfect in our mind, but when it’s time to speak, the words get stuck and our body goes stiff. Even the best flirts lose their cool when real feelings are involved. It’s something almost all of us have experienced—we forget how to act around the person we like.

But it’s time to change that. If you want to stop feeling shy around your crush, here are 9 tips to help you open up.

# Get to know them better

Often, shyness comes from unfamiliarity. When we don’t know someone well, we’re extra cautious about what we say. With a crush, the pressure doubles—you want them to like you, but you’re unsure what might impress or offend them.

The more you learn about them, the easier conversations become. You’ll know which topics connect you and which ones to avoid. It’s just like preparing for a job interview—the more you know, the more confident you feel.

# Ask yourself: Am I shy or is it low self-esteem?

There’s a difference between being naturally introverted and feeling unsure of your worth. Understanding which one affects you will help you figure out why you feel nervous around your crush. If it’s low self-esteem, you might simply believe they wouldn’t like you back.

# Work on your self-esteem

If low self-esteem is holding you back, start by improving your relationship with yourself. You don’t need perfect self-love to be loved by someone else—but you do need enough of it to believe that someone could genuinely like you. Even if your crush shows signs of interest, you might ignore them if you don’t think you’re worthy.

# Build your confidence

Low self-esteem and low confidence go hand-in-hand. Focus on small changes that make you feel more secure in yourself. If you’re unhappy with your style, try clothes that boost your mood. If you think your life is dull, explore new hobbies. These small improvements can make a big difference in how you carry yourself.

# Prepare before you talk to them

Confidence doesn’t grow overnight. While you’re working on yourself, prepare ahead of time. Think about a few easy, comfortable topics before approaching your crush. This is especially helpful if you’re naturally shy.

# Keep things simple

Don’t overwhelm yourself with complicated topics. Your goal is to feel comfortable around your crush, not impress them with deep theories. Stick to simple, relatable conversations that both of you can enjoy without pressure.

# Don’t hesitate to highlight your strengths

Shy people often avoid talking about their achievements to avoid attention or sounding arrogant. But most conversations naturally involve sharing about ourselves. Show your crush what makes you interesting—there’s nothing wrong with being proud of who you are.

# Try to act natural

It’s tough to be natural around someone you like, but pretending to be someone else will only make things harder. Notice how you react when you feel uneasy—do you stutter, fidget, avoid eye contact? Identify these habits and slowly work on them.

# Push through the nervousness

Shyness triggers a physical reaction, just like fear. When something makes us nervous, we avoid it—and in this case, that “something” is your crush. Staying in your comfort zone might feel safe, but it won’t bring you closer to them. To grow, you need to gently push yourself past the fear and give things a chance.