The 13 Types Of Crushes You Have Had (Or Will Have) At Least Once!

The celebrity crush on your bedroom wall with whom you dream of a Notting Hill ending. The more-than-best-friend whose long hugs make everything okay. The stranger, actually the Greek God, you meet on a vacation and you wonder if you’ll ever run into them again. So many exhilarating stories, and so many types of crushes. These stories can be filled with unpredictable events, thrilling highs, and crushing lows. But the butterflies in the stomach, the goofy smiles, and the sweet memories make the journey worth it all.

The 13 Types Of Crushes You Have Had (Or Will Have) At Least Once!

“All right. It’s a new day. And it’s just a crush. That’s all. Just a little crush. All that worrying I was doing? That was crazy. Crazy! Like my friend the bird here would say, “It was cuckoo!” Everything’s gonna be fine. It’s just a crush,” says Joey Tribbiani to himself after being bitten by the love bug. The crush bug, actually. The next moment, Rachel shows up with a, “Hi, sweetie.” Joey’s mind instantly goes, “I love you.” And there it is – the rollercoaster of emotions when you have a crush on someone.

It’s a rollercoaster we’re all quite familiar with because everyone develops a crush at least once in their life. While the base feeling remains more or less the same, the different types of crushes bring with them a unique experience. So let us explore the types of crushes we all have had (or will have) at least once in our lives. Here goes the list!

1. The childhood crush

Remember Little Manhattan and our sixth-grader hero? He develops a crush on his karate class partner, Rosemary, and suddenly, his heart is a whirlwind of emotions. She’s her first crush after all. “Okay, what’s going on here? What the heck is this? Oh my God. What’s this feeling in the pit of my stomach? Who is this; this amazing creature before me? I looked at Rosemary and just felt so, um, confused. She’s a girl. I’m supposed to despise girls, not feel nervous talking to one, not feel tongue-tied. I mean this was Rosemary Telesco, I knew her since Kindergarten.”

Does Gabe make any sense to you? If he does, you’ve probably experienced something similar with your childhood crush. You were classmates in third grade, or they lived next door and sneaked into your room every day – just to play Scrabble! When you saw your childhood crush’s wedding updates on Instagram, it might have stung a little. But it also gave you a goofy smile – a little secret between you and your sweet old childhood.

Related Reading: How To Talk With Your Crush Without Being Awkward And Nail It

2. The horny crush

Maybe you’re going through a dry spell. Or you just want to spice up your sex life. Should you hook up with that hot gym buddy you’ve always liked a little more than a friend? Or would you keep mum because it will make things awkward at the gym the next day? No matter what, you know you’d love to see those biceps all worked up and that tee ripped open right in front of you. And that, my friend, is your horny crush.

3. The social media crush

“When I was in college, I had a crush on this girl. I remember being mesmerized by her pictures on Instagram. She also had such a great sense of humor. I read everything she shared and I couldn’t stop smiling at my phone,” shares Jake, a 23-year-old artist from NYC. “Once she shared this Spotify link, you know, and I realized we have the same taste in music. I became really weak in the knees. And I finally texted her!”

Do you also have an online crush? Maybe you know exactly where their sister’s boyfriend’s mother went on vacation last month. Maybe your friends just caught you staring at their Saturday night selfie for the seventeenth time in a row. You find this person irresistibly cute and expect they’ll accept your friend/follow request. Sure, stalking your social media crush may be your favorite sport these days, but make sure you don’t overdo it. You don’t want their conversation starter to be, “Why have you shared my family picnic photo from five years ago on your Facebook wall?”

4. The celebrity crush

The fun part is, even celebrities have celebrity crushes. During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live in 2015, Selena Gomez told the world that Chris Evans was her celebrity crush. “I kind of have a crush on Chris Evans. Isn’t he cute? He’s very cute,” she said to her host, who of course, instantly agreed. So the next time you feel embarrassed for the Edward Cullen poster on your bedroom wall, or texting Zendaya “Happy birthday!” every year without fail, cut yourself some slack. Your celebrity crushes may change as you grow up but these are crushes you can’t deny.

5. The fictional crush

On her first day as a surgical intern at Seattle Grace Hospital, Meredith learns that Dr. Derek Shepherd is her boss. Derek, the guy she just had a casual hookup with. They find each other irresistible and eventually start dating. Years down the line, Meredith still considers Derek as her McDreamy. And if you’re a Grey’s Anatomy fan, chances are that, years down the line, you still consider Derek as your own McDreamy.

Crushes on fictional characters are more common than you’d think. Think about it: you’re tired of toxic relationships in real life and you simply cannot deal with the drama anymore. Then suddenly, you meet the most amazing person on screen or on pages of a thick novel. Your fictional crush and you seem to be made just for each other. And that make-believe world, with your ideal match in it, becomes the perfect escape, albeit for a short time.

6. The work crush

“Four years ago, I was just a guy who had a crush on a girl who had a boyfriend. And I had to do the hardest thing that I’ve ever had to do, which was just to…wait. And a lot of people told me I was crazy to wait this long for a date with a girl that I work with but I think, even then I knew…I was waiting for my wife.” Who can forget these iconic lines by Mr. Halpert from The Office? If there’s anyone who knows what it is like to wait for your crush, it has to be Jim.

Thinking about your own work crush while reading this? Maybe you’ll expect wedding bells soon. Or you’ll accept you developed this crush out of boredom in your 9 to 5 job. Irrespective of the possibilities, this is a tricky situation to navigate. Flirt a little and ask them out if you really wish to. But make sure it’s all consensual and both of you are on the same page. Fingers crossed, with some healthy relationship boundaries, an office romance can be super exciting for you.

Related Reading: 13 Respectful Ways To Ask A Coworker For A Date

7. The convenient crush

Imagine you are alone at a housewarming party. All your friends have left with their dates. You wonder if you should get another glass of wine. Just at that moment, you see someone else is also in your situation. They’re alone, awkward, and kind of hot. This crush happens out of convenience. You finally walk up to them and say hi. Soon you’re talking about your favorite songs by The Smiths, or bonding over your mutual love for dogs.

8. The rebound crush

After a breakup, especially if the relationship was a serious one, you may think you’ll never fall in love again. But suddenly, after a few days, you seem to be fancying someone new. If you just got out of a relationship and you’re crushing on someone to heal your broken heart, this might be a rebound crush.

It can be a super fun and liberating experience but make sure you are not using it to run away from the pain of heartbreak. A good yardstick to assess whether it’s a rebound crush or a sign you’re moving on, see if, at the back of your mind, you’re always comparing your crush to your ex. If you do, it’s best to back off or at least have an honest conversation with your crush. If your crush likes you back, they will only be hurt if you use them as a distraction to get over your ex.

Related Reading: The 5 Stages Of A Rebound Relationship

9. The authority figure crush

I have a crush on my professor. I am in love with my boss. Has this ever happened to you? Even if it brings back an embarrassing memory, you’re not the only one. Take our charming, witty, glorious Fleabag, for instance. As she navigates the choppy waters of her crush on a hot priest, his neck (HIS NECK!), and a little arm touch now and then, their friendship gets all the more sexually charged.

You can feel this bubble of sexual tension, even during their deep conversations about life, death, art, sex, and faith. And if you get goosebumps when Andrew Scott asks Phoebe Waller-Bridge to ‘kneel’, you can guess what’s happening here. The unflinching attraction to an authority figure; you know, it may never pass.

In reality, it is quite natural to be crushing on an authority figure. Some people are attracted to a person who is in a position of power and is intelligent and resourceful. The idea of such a relationship can seem super risky and thrilling. However, in some cases, such a crush or relationship can come with a power imbalance. While it is normal to feel attracted to an authority figure, set some healthy boundaries. Make sure there is emotional safety in your relationship. If it creeps you out or makes you uncomfortable in any way, take a step back and seek help.

10. The hate crush

“I have a theory. Hating someone feels disturbingly similar to being in love with them. I’ve had a lot of time to compare love and hate, and these are my observations. Love and hate are visceral. Your stomach twists at the thought of that person. The heart in your chest beats heavy and bright, nearly visible through your flesh and clothes. Your appetite and sleep are shredded. Every interaction spikes your blood with adrenaline, and you’re on the brink of fight or flight. Your body is barely under your control. You’re consumed, and it scares you. Both love and hate are mirror versions of the same game – and you have to win. Why? Your heart and your ego. Trust me, I should know.” – Lucy Hutton from The Hating Game.

In this enemies-to-lovers story, Lucy and Joshua can’t stand the sight of each other at first. As their rivalry heightens over time, their interactions are filled with sexual tension. Does this remind you of your love-hate relationship with your crush? We get it, you can’t stop thinking about this one girl/guy you have always hated. Or, your blood boils up at the mention of their name but you also can’t stop wanting to rip their clothes off.

11. The holiday crush

We all get a little relaxed during the holidays. We loosen up, meet new people and look at the world differently. If you’re on vacation, you may develop crushes on people you meet on the road or at your hotel. A holiday is a break from reality, and this crush makes it all the more thrilling. You just want to have a good time, and you deserve it. Now, things can get complicated if we take these flings too seriously. Of course, you can meet the love of your life on a holiday. But make sure you don’t misread the situation and end up with a vacation heartbreak instead.

12. The stranger crush

It’s a Tuesday night and you’re walking down the street. You glance at someone, and they smile at you. This mysterious stranger makes you skip a heartbeat. You don’t know their name, where they live, or what their interests are. But there is something magical about them. You know you’re falling in love with a stranger. And you wonder if you’ll run into your stranger crush ever again.

Related Reading: 40 Things To Talk About With Your Crush

13. The soulmate crush

After a string of unrequited loves and crushes, you meet someone who changes your life. They show you all the green flags in a relationship. A caring text from them is a breath of fresh air. When you hang out together, you can’t stop smiling. You know you’ve got a crush and a lot of butterflies in your stomach. They make you feel warm, peaceful, and infinite. You know deep down that they’re the one for you.

If you’ve got a crush on someone, it can be a super exciting ride ahead. A cute text at midnight, or a sudden meet at the supermarket – anything might light up your heart. You get electrifying rushes around them and you feel so alive. However, if you constantly feel overwhelmed, or keep on approaching your crush after being rejected, it is time to dive deep into your own emotional needs.

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