THE ADVICE EVERY GIRL WITH A CRUSH NEEDS TO HEAR RIGHT NOW

Romantic affirmations to get you through the long winter.

-  KATHERINE HAMMER

Love is in the air! Bring on all the happy vibes and heart eyes...oh, and don't forget the super confusing feelings/chaotic moments/crush clashes that inevitably come with coupling.

Whether you're embarking on a legit relationship, still stuck in a "what are we?!" stage or simply obsessing over someone who has no clue you exist (or worse, your ex), we've got advice for it all.

LOVE AFFIRMATION #1: DON'T! OVERTHINK! IT!

Just about every GL girl we talked to admitted they've fallen into this tricky trap at least once. "When I had my first BF, I worried so much about every text I sent and would workshop my ideas with, like, five of my friends," confesses Bridget R., 16. "I wanted to be perfect so badly, but I came off as super uncomfortable and awkward. Needless to say, we broke up soon after."

Don't make Bridget's mistake: While the early days of chatting up your crush warrant some butterflies (and maybe even running a cute DM by your BFF before you hit send), by the time you're *actually* getting close to dating, things should feel normal and natural most of the time.

"Try to be friends first," advises therapist and relationship expert Lauren Cook-McKay. "This way, you get to know them better and gain the confidence to confess your feelings if the timing is right."

LOVE AFFIRMATION #2: BE HONEST...AND ACCEPT THEIR HONESTY, TOO