Ah, the crush spiral — overthinking every glance, every reply, every tiny moment like it’s a secret message. Yep, been there. Sometimes it’s obvious — they laugh at your bad jokes, sit near you whenever they can, or suddenly care a lot about who you’re hanging out with or what you’re into.
But people can be tricky. Some are shy. Some don’t know how they feel yet. And sometimes, they just don’t feel the same — and as hard as that is, it’s okay too. If someone’s feelings are really hard to read, that’s usually a sign not to push. It’s better to give it space than to stress trying to guess what every little thing means.
If you really want to know, you’ve got two options: wait and see how it plays out, or (if you’re feeling bold) ask them. Scary? Yep. But also? Kind of powerful.
Crushes are messy and magical all at once — try not to be too hard on yourself. You deserve to feel clear and respected, not stuck in a loop of second-guessing. Go easy, friend. You’ve got this.
We get it. First dates are awkward. Like, all of them. You’re both trying to act chill while your brain’s going, “am I chewing weird? what do I do with my arms? is this the world’s longest silence or just me?”
Don’t worry about being smooth — just be kind, be normal, and don’t overthink it. If something’s a bit cringe (spilled drink, weird laugh-snort, armrest confusion), call it out and laugh. It takes the pressure off and actually makes you more fun to be around.
And if you’re thinking about sitting closer, sharing snacks, or doing any of that cute movie-date stuff — check in first. A simple “you cool with this?” shows you care about their comfort and confidence. Way better than guessing and accidentally making things weird.
Go forth, be respectfully charming, and don’t hog the popcorn.
Big crushes can totally take over your brain, hey? You might catch yourself thinking about them all the time — what they’re doing, who they’re talking to, whether they even know you exist. That doesn’t mean anything’s wrong with you. It just means your feelings are real and strong.
You don’t have to rush into anything. Start by just getting to know him a bit — say hey, have a chat, see how it feels to be around him. Crushes can be exciting and overwhelming, so give yourself space to figure out what you want, not just what he might think.
If it turns out he doesn’t feel the same, yeah — that can sting. And it’s okay to feel sad about it. It doesn’t mean your feelings were silly or that you did something wrong. It just means this one didn’t go the way you hoped — and that happens to everyone. Even the most confident people get their hearts a little squished sometimes.
And if your feelings are getting heavy or taking over your head a bit too much, please talk to someone. A guidance officer, school nurse, or Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) are great places to start. You don’t have to deal with big feelings on your own.
First off — trying to understand your brain better is seriously brave. And way more common than people realise.
Now, those online ADHD quizzes? Yeah, they can feel weirdly accurate — like, “Cool, diagnosed myself in five minutes. Slay.” But ADHD doesn’t look the same for everyone — especially for girls. So, if the quiz screamed YES but you don’t relate to everything your ADHD friends say? That actually makes sense.
If you want proper answers, the next step is seeing a doctor or psychologist for an assessment. At 12, that usually means your parent or carer will need to be involved — but that doesn’t mean you have to wait for them to totally get it before getting support.
Try talking to someone at school — like your guidance officer, youth health nurse, or a teacher you trust. They can help you figure out how to bring it up at home, or how to start getting the help you need. And if you want to talk it through with someone outside of school or home, you can reach out to Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) or Headspace Cairns — they’re kind, confidential, and really good at listening.
Wanting help doesn’t make you dramatic or attention-seeking — it means you’ve noticed things are feeling hard and you’re doing something about it. That’s powerful.
