Why Can't I Get My Crush Out of My Mind?

You're not crazy — it's actually science

Alright, let’s get one thing clear: you're not the only one replaying every smile, every accidental touch, and every "hey" from your crush like it's a scene from a rom-com. It’s more common than you’d think, and yep — there’s actual science behind why your brain keeps circling back.

Turns out, love (or even just infatuation) activates the same reward system in the brain that lights up when people use cocaine. Yep, you read that right. Your crush is literally giving you dopamine highs. That’s wild.

The chemistry behind obsession

Dopamine, oxytocin, and all that jazz

When you think about your crush, your brain releases dopamine — the "feel-good" chemical. It makes you feel excited, hopeful, maybe even giddy. (Like, weirdly happy about seeing someone post an Instagram story of their lunch.)

Add a sprinkle of oxytocin if there's physical proximity or emotional bonding (e.g., deep convos, long eye contact), and suddenly, your brain’s making this person feel essential to your emotional survival. It's not love, necessarily — but your brain doesn't care. It just wants more.

Your brain loves patterns — and stories

Humans are wired to find meaning and patterns, even when none exist. So when your crush laughs at your joke, your brain goes: "Aha! They like me too!" You start building a narrative. Sometimes it's accurate. Sometimes it's just... well, hopeful fiction.

(Been there. Crushed so hard on a barista once, convinced he smiled at me differently. Spoiler: he smiled like that at everyone.)

It’s also your thoughts... looping like mad

The "Intrusive Thought" loop

Your mind is a pro at repeating what it thinks is important. And guess what — your crush has become emotionally significant. So your brain, like a broken Spotify playlist, replays everything. The awkward laugh, the outfit they wore Tuesday, that time they said “see you soon.”

Sometimes you’ll catch yourself daydreaming mid-meeting or zoning out during dinner. Totally normal. But yeah, kinda annoying too.

Fantasy vs. reality

Crushes often aren’t about the actual person — they’re about what they represent. Maybe it's a version of happiness you crave. Or just attention. Or validation. (Oof, that one hits.)

So we cling to the idea of them. Not necessarily them as flawed humans who leave dirty socks on the floor or forget birthdays.

Emotional hunger and unmet needs

Are you projecting?

Real talk — sometimes we fixate on someone because we’re trying to fill a deeper emotional gap. Loneliness, insecurity, boredom... a crush can feel like a magical fix for all that.

You ever notice how crushes hit harder when you're going through something? Breakup, career uncertainty, existential "what am I even doing?" vibes. Yeah. That’s no accident.

Timing matters too

Sometimes the crush is less about them and more about when they show up in your life. Right person, wrong time? Or just the right distraction when life feels kind of meh?

Honestly, not all crushes are meant to lead somewhere. But they still stick like gum on a shoe.

So... how do you move on (or at least get a break)?

Accept the obsession (weirdly, this helps)

Trying to block out every thought makes it worse. Like telling yourself not to think about pizza when you’re hungry. Instead, let the thoughts pass through like clouds. Acknowledge them without clinging. Sounds woo-woo, but it works.

Shift focus (but for real)

Easier said than done, yeah. But finding stuff that lights you up helps reduce the brain’s need to fixate. Go dance. Pick up a hobby. Touch grass. Whatever. Just something that reminds you: you’re a full human, with or without that person.

Fun fact: I once got over a massive crush by learning how to box. Hit things = feel better. 10/10, would recommend.

If all else fails, get it out

Write a letter you’ll never send. Or tell a friend (the brutally honest one). Getting the feelings out of your head and into the world helps break the mental loop.

Bottom line? You’re not broken. You’re just human — and wired to care, attach, and hope. Having a crush stuck in your head is kinda like having a catchy song on repeat. Eventually, it fades. Promise.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.