Has someone in your life been giving you a strange vibe recently?
Maybe your morning coffee buddy, or perhaps a neighbor who always stops for a chat. It could even be an old-school friend that has re-established contact.
You can’t quite put your finger on it.
Are they just being friendly or have they actually caught feelings for you?
What do they want?!
And if you’re anything like me, you’ll over-analyze every little interaction, comment, and hair flick until it drives you crazy. Talk about analysis paralysis!
But did you know…
There are actually some big giveaways to look out for (that show someone is secretly in love with you).
How many of these 13 behaviors do you recognize?
1) Positive body language
Here’s the thing about body language.
You do it without thinking! (In other words, it’s part of your subconscious).
This means it’s pretty much impossible to hide behind.
Positive body language includes stuff like smiling, maintaining eye contact, nodding while listening, and keeping an upright open posture.
Other positive nonverbal cues involve proximity (so moving closer to someone), making an effort with your appearance, and physical touch.
If you consistently recognize these traits in someone it could mean they’re smitten!
2) Giggling (at anything you say)
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m sure you’ve got a great sense of humor.
But if someone finds you particularly hilarious (when no one else does) they probably want more than just friendship.
Laughing demonstrates a couple of things.
First of all, it shows that they’re on the same wavelength. But it could also mean they’re nervous and over-excited (because they’re totally into you and don’t want to make a mistake).
Plus laughter is a great way to bond and you tend to feel more comfortable and secure around funny people.
Think about it next time you’re talking with someone. If you can effortlessly make them laugh out loud, they might be falling in love with more than just your jokes.
3) Big on physical contact
A key distinction between friendship and something more romantic is the level of physical intimacy.
Sure, we touch our friends, but there’s a difference.
Let me explain.
It’s pretty normal to hug friends (many cultures around the world also kiss on the cheek), but this is usually reserved for greetings or farewells. If you find someone initiating a hug more frequently (mid-conversation) it may suggest they’re yearning for physical contact (because they secretly love you).
Watch for more subtle cues too.
A brief touch of your arm or waist may seem insignificant but could actually be a telltale sign of deeper feelings.
And how are they with other people?
If they’re extremely tactile with you, but keep their distance from others, it’s a big clue!
4) Actively listening to you
Have you ever been shocked that someone actually remembered a small detail from a previous conversation?
It could just be something simple like your birthday. But it shows they actively listen and make the effort to remember what you actually say.
Consider this.
Most strangers can’t even remember your name (I know I’m terrible with names).
Recalling details about your life and showing a genuine interest in your thoughts and feelings are behaviors associated with falling in love.
5) Can’t stop flirting
This might seem obvious, but playful conversations or fun physical interactions are all positive signs that someone has the hots for you.
I’m talking about anything from harmless teasing and witty banter to putting you over their shoulder and running around the garden!
And I know what you’re thinking…
They flirt with everyone. This might be the case, but it doesn’t mean you should ignore how they treat you.
If they saw you as just a friend, chances are they’d slow down on the flirting after a while. Especially if you didn’t reciprocate the banter.
6) Pepper you with compliments
Let’s be honest, we all love hearing compliments (even if they make us feel a little uncomfortable).
There’s actually science behind it.
In fact, giving someone a boost has a mood-lifting effect for both the giver and receiver.
It’s a win-win.
So, if someone is regularly saying how nice you look or complimenting your personality, it could be a sign that they want you to be happy (because they’ve secretly fallen for you).
7) Get jealous (when you mention other people)
Now this one isn’t always appreciated.
But if someone gets jealous or possessive of you, it’s a slam dunk sign that they have strong feelings.
Imagine the scenario.
You’re casually chatting to your neighbor. You talk about your weekend and you mention that you spent all day with an old college friend. You go on to say how funny they are and how amazing the day was.
If they withdraw or seem upset after you bring up the college friend, they could be feeling secretly jealous.
It might just be a microexpression or a wry smile.
Don’t worry, it’s probably not toxic jealousy, just a knee-jerk reaction showing how they truly feel.
But pay attention next time you mention other people in front of them, it can reveal more than you think.
8) Want to spend time with you
Do they seldom turn down an invitation to hang out? Or perhaps they constantly reach out with calls and messages.
Well, this is probably telling you something.
Because if they wanted to be just friends, they’d probably have less time for you.
And think about this.
If you’re at a party and they give you loads of attention (more than other people), it’s because they’d rather be hanging out with you than anyone else!
9) Thoughtful gestures
Have you ever heard the expression “It’s the thought that counts”?
Well, this is so true!
Thoughtful gestures like preparing your favorite meal or surprising you with a trip to somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit, show that someone really cares (and understands you).
They haven’t just bought you a pair of socks or a box of chocolates.
Don’t get me wrong, I love chocolate! But it’s not very personal and it’s clear that not much thought has gone into it.
It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg either.
The most meaningful gestures just make your life easier. Stuff like giving you a ride in the pouring rain or simply being there to listen.
This leads on to…
10) Make sacrifices (and prioritize your feelings)
If someone goes out of their way to make you happy, it probably means they’re love-struck.
Here’s the thing.
They’re basically prioritizing your needs over theirs.
This is extremely selfless and demonstrates real empathy and understanding.
Look at a successful long-standing relationship…
We all know how much compromise and sacrifice is involved. You have to consider your partner and include them in pretty much every decision you make.
Well, if someone is displaying compromising behavior early on, it gives you a clue as to how they secretly feel!
11) Defend you (and take your side)
It’s a nice feeling when someone has your back.
As it turns out, this is a common behavioral pattern shown by people who (secretly) love you.
Here’s an example.
You’re queuing for movie tickets and someone cuts the line. You get into a heated argument with the cheeky line cutter (but they’re not backing down).
Someone who truly cares about you will step in. They’ll argue your case and even get physical if needed. They’ll be your knight in shining armor for any sticky situation you find yourself in.
And that’s not all.
They’ll also be the first person to sing your praises and emphasize your strong points.
Especially to important people in their lives…
12) Introduce you to important people in their lives
When someone introduces you to their close friends and family it demonstrates a couple of things.
First of all, it shows they’re in it for the long haul.
They see you as part of their life going forward – a permanent fixture!
But also, it shows they’re proud to be associated with you (and want all their friends to know).
And I’m not just talking about chance encounters, like bumping into friends in the street. More like formal invites. For example, they ask if you’d like to come around for dinner and meet their mother.
This is actually related to our final point…
13) Talk about their future (with you)
Involving you in their plans shows they’re serious and intend to have you in their life for the foreseeable future.
Why?
Well, it could be because they’re secretly falling in love!
This could be anything from planning distant holidays or arranging social events together to more serious stuff like saying:
“I wonder if we’ll still get on in our old age.”
Open-ended questions about the future force you to imagine being together for a long time and can actually help strengthen relationships.
So if you catch someone constantly talking about the future (with you involved) they could be secretly falling head over heels for you!
