How to Get Over Someone You Have a Crush on at Work

Having a crush on someone at work can feel exciting at first, but it can also create emotional tension, especially if those feelings go unreciprocated.

Learning how to get over someone you have a crush on at work is essential for maintaining professionalism and mental well-being.

Crushes at work can interfere with productivity, increase stress, and sometimes even lead to awkward situations. Luckily, with the right strategies, you can navigate these feelings and regain your focus.

To Get Over Someone You Have a Crush on at Work you should:

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings

The first step in getting over someone you have a crush on at work is to acknowledge your feelings. It’s important to accept that these emotions are natural and common.

Denying or suppressing your feelings can make the situation worse, as the emotional build-up might lead to more frustration.

Instead, give yourself permission to feel what you’re feeling, but remind yourself that acting on these emotions in the workplace might not be appropriate.

According to a survey by Vault, 58% of employees admit to having had a romantic interest in a co-worker. Acknowledging this as a common occurrence can help you deal with it more easily.

2. Limit Personal Interactions

Once you’ve acknowledged your feelings, it’s crucial to create emotional and physical distance from the person. Reducing personal interactions can help prevent your feelings from deepening.

While it might be difficult at first, limiting unnecessary one-on-one time with the person will help you gain control over your emotions.

Strategies for Limiting Interaction:

• Avoid prolonged conversations that aren’t work-related.

• Politely decline invitations for social events outside of work.

• Focus on group activities rather than one-on-one encounters.

• This will allow you to maintain professionalism while gradually distancing yourself emotionally from the person.

3. Redirect Your Focus to Work

Workplace crushes can become distractions, but you can counter this by channeling your energy into your job.

Redirecting your focus to work not only helps you take your mind off the crush, but also boosts your productivity and career growth.

Health Psychology revealed that employees who redirected their emotional energy into work saw significant improvements in performance and job satisfaction.

By shifting focus from the crush to career goals, you can achieve similar results.

Consider setting new work goals, taking on additional responsibilities, or starting a project that excites you. This redirection will give you a renewed sense of purpose and accomplishment.

4. Engage in New Social Circles

Expanding your social life outside of work is another key step in how to get over someone you have a crush on at work.

By meeting new people and building connections, you reduce the emotional weight placed on your crush.

Surrounding yourself with supportive friends and participating in activities you enjoy can help you see that your social fulfillment doesn’t have to come from work.

Example: Broadening Your Social Life

If you’ve been relying heavily on your workplace for social interactions, consider joining a club, enrolling in a class, or volunteering in your community.

Engaging in new social activities introduces fresh perspectives and lessens the importance of your work crush.

5. Reframe Your Perspective

Another effective strategy in getting over someone you have a crush on at work is to reframe your perspective instead of focusing on the romantic possibilities, try to see your co-worker strictly as a colleague.

This mental shift can help diminish the emotional hold your crush has on you.

Mental Reframing Techniques:

• Think about the person’s professional contributions instead of their personal qualities.

• Avoid romanticizing interactions and maintain a realistic view of your relationship.

• Remind yourself of the risks involved in workplace relationships, including the potential for discomfort or conflict.

6. Confide in a Trusted Friend

Talking about your feelings with a trusted friend outside of work can provide much-needed relief. Sometimes, simply expressing your emotions can help you process them and find clarity.

A supportive friend can offer advice and remind you of your worth beyond the crush.

Sharing your feelings with others significantly improves emotional regulation and helps reduce the intensity of difficult emotions.

A friend can help keep you grounded and accountable as you work to move on.

7. Set Clear Professional Boundaries

To truly get over someone you have a crush on at work, setting clear professional boundaries is crucial.

While maintaining a friendly and respectful demeanor, avoid allowing the relationship to extend beyond work-related interactions.

This can prevent further emotional attachment and maintain the professionalism needed in the workplace.

Tips for Maintaining Boundaries:

• Keep conversations work-related.

• Avoid sharing personal details or seeking emotional support from your crush.

• If possible, limit direct collaboration if it’s not necessary for the job.

By setting these boundaries, you protect both your emotional well-being and your professional reputation.

8. Give It Time

Healing from a workplace crush doesn’t happen overnight. Give yourself time to fully process your feelings and move on.

Be patient with yourself and acknowledge that getting over someone you have a crush on at work is a process. Over time, your feelings will fade, and the situation will feel less intense.