Falling in love can feel like riding a rollercoaster that you didn’t even realise you’d queued up for.
It’s thrilling, confusing, and a bit chaotic, but you wouldn’t trade it for anything. You feel like a kid again, giddy and hopeful about what’s in store for your relationship. It’s intense and overwhelming, but in the best possible way — at least most of the time. When you fall head over heels for someone, chances are you’ll go through these phases (even if you won’t readily admit it to anyone else).
1. You obsess over every little detail.
Suddenly, everything they do seems fascinating. The way they laugh, the stories they tell, even their oddly specific snack preferences — it’s all worth analysing. You replay conversations in your head, wondering if their comment about your music taste was a compliment or just a casual observation. Your brain becomes a highlight reel of their greatest hits, and it’s on repeat 24/7.
2. The butterflies set up camp in your stomach.
You know the feeling — a mix of excitement and sheer panic. Just thinking about them sends your heart racing and your stomach flipping like it’s auditioning for a gymnastics team. Seeing a text from them? Immediate butterflies. A spontaneous meet-up? The butterflies are practically throwing a parade. It’s exhilarating and slightly nauseating, but you wouldn’t have it any other way.
3. You overthink everything you say and do.
Every text you send gets scrutinised as if it’s being graded. “Is this too flirty? Too formal? Should I add a smiley face, or does that seem desperate?” Even face-to-face, you’re hyper-aware of your words, your laugh, your entire existence. It’s exhausting, but you can’t help it — you just want to make the right impression. And somehow, even when you think you’ve blown it, they keep coming back.
4. You start imagining a future with them.
One minute you’re just enjoying a coffee date, and the next you’re mentally picking out names for your hypothetical dog. You catch yourself picturing holidays, dinner parties, or how they’d react to meeting your family. It’s not that you’re planning your life around them (well, maybe just a tiny bit), but you can’t help envisioning how they might fit into your world.
5. Everything reminds you of them.
A song on the radio, a scene in a film, even a random smell can trigger thoughts of them. Suddenly, the world is filled with little reminders that they exist. It’s like your brain is on a mission to make sure you don’t forget about them — as if that was even possible. They’ve become the main character in the movie of your mind, and it’s playing on every channel.
6. You want to know everything about them.
Casual small talk just won’t cut it anymore. You’re curious about their childhood, their weirdest habits, their biggest dreams. You want the full behind-the-scenes tour of their life. And when they open up, it feels like winning a prize. Every new detail is a clue to understanding them better, and you’re more than happy to play detective.
7. You get irrationally jealous — even if you don’t want to admit it.
So, they mentioned someone’s name in passing, and now you’re deep-diving into their social media. You’re not proud of it, but hey, you’re only human. Even a tiny hint of competition makes you feel a bit territorial. You try to play it cool, but inside you’re ready to defend your place in their life. It’s not that you don’t trust them; you just really like them and hope they feel the same way.
8. Your mood swings depend on them.
One sweet text can make you feel like you’re floating, while a delayed response can send you spiralling. It’s like your emotional thermostat is suddenly in their hands. You promise yourself you won’t let them have that much influence over you, but then they smile at you, and all logic flies out the window. The highs are sky-high, and the lows are… well, let’s not dwell on those.
9. You get nervous before seeing them.
Source: Unsplash Even if you’ve hung out a dozen times, the nerves never really go away. You check your outfit a few times, practice casual conversation starters in your head, and still feel like your palms might be a bit too sweaty. But the moment you see them, it all melts away. The nerves are worth it because being around them just feels right.
10. You realise you’re in deep — and it’s terrifying but amazing.
Source: Unsplash At some point, it hits you: you’ve fallen, and there’s no going back. It’s equal parts thrilling and terrifying. You’re vulnerable now, and that’s a scary place to be. But there’s also an incredible sense of joy that comes with it. You’ve taken the leap, and even if you don’t know what happens next, you’re glad you did. Because, let’s be honest — love might be intense, but it’s also kind of magic.
