READ THIS before you hard launch

You and your crush are one what-are-we convo away from making it official...except for that one thing.

- ALEX CONRAD

The talking stage with your new boo is moving ahead pretty perfectly: You’re swapping hilarious Reels on the reg, going halfsies on the cookies in the caf and making plans to sit together at Friday night’s school play. It truly seems like your cutest rom-com dreams are right on track to becoming reality.

There’s just one teensy-tiny prob: You can’t shake this twinge of hesitation about actually making things official. The thought of the impending DTR is bringing on butterflies…and not the fun kind. What gives?

No doubt, it’s normal to get the jitters when you’re growing closer with a crush. But if your anxiety is going into overdrive at the mere thought of gaining a GF label, your nerves might be trying to send you a heads-up about potential problems (or even heartbreak) ahead.

So before you post that first couple pics, we’re sorting through the signals you shouldn’t sweat….and the ones that should make you think twice.

THEY DON’T USE SOCIAL MEDIA

You’re dreaming of some sort of acknowledgment on their IG feed: a subtle Story tag, a like on your latest fit check, maybe even a blurry photo of you two holding hands. But so far…nada.

YOUR MOVE: If your crush wasn’t super into posting their relationships on socials before you met, odds are they aren’t intentionally keeping you on the down-low. “There are probably plenty of other ways your crush prefers to show you off,” says family therapist Jacklynne Marder.

Public hand-holding? An invitation to their lunch table? Showing up to your playoff game with a poster and flowers? All huge. And showing IRL affection beats a handful of likes any day.

THEY’RE LOW-KEY LOVE BOMBING YOU