Why do workplace crushes happen? 5 signs your office spark is all in your head

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It begins with a simple eye contact and slowly transforms into lingering glances and stolen smiles. Suddenly, a person who probably hated going to the office and was less than enthusiastic for their appearance, arrives on time and is dressed to the nines. What this might be is not a sudden love for work or the workplace, but rather the timely development of a workplace crush. The one who makes coming to the office a task you look up to and working, the best part of your day, just because it includes a look, a smile or a conversation with them.But why do workplace crushes happen? Because this vicious cycle of limited-period love bombing over a person far away from your reach is not limited to one. It is a revolving door of people who become the limelight of your work life. Why is it that without knowing a thing about a person you suddenly begin liking them and wanting to spend more time in their vicinity? While you might believe that Cupid is finally at play and you might have cleared the long queue in the romance line, the reality is starkly and sadly, different. When you spend eight to ten hours a day with a certain set of people, tackling pressure and goals with them while engaging in light small talk, the workplace becomes fertile ground for emotional attachment. And while you may think that the cupid’s arrow has struck your heart, each one of your co-workers is secretly harbouring a workplace crush- it’s that common. “Repeated exposure to someone naturally increases likability, and add to that the intimacy of shared challenges, mutual vulnerability during high-stakes projects, and the dopamine hit of being seen and appreciated professionally, and you have the perfect cocktail for emotional confusion. Many workplace crushes are not really about the person; they are about proximity, familiarity, and timing,” said Dr Chandni Tugnait, MD (A.M) Psychotherapist, Life Alchemist, Coach & Healer in an interview with The Times of India. Here, Dr Chandni advises asking yourself one pointed question: “Would this person interest you outside this building, stripped of the professional context?” Infatuation with a person is based more on your fantasy. It gravitates towards someone who seems impressive in a particular setting, feeds off ambiguity and fades quickly once the context changes. However, real feelings are sustained by genuine curiosity about the person, their life, their values, and their character. While you might think about them constantly, it might not be in a realistic and practical context. “You idealise their qualities while overlooking obvious incompatibilities. Your mood at work becomes entirely dependent on their behaviour toward you,” said the doc. These are classic markers of infatuation and say more about your own internal needs than the actual person. One of the most obvious signs to tell if a person likes you back is if they consistently provide you with personalised attention rather than generic warmth. Do they seek out your company without a professional pretext? Do they remember specific things you have said? Do they mirror body language, initiate non-work conversations, and show genuine interest in your life outside work are reliable signals. “One-sided admiration tends to be characterised by you doing most of the noticing,” said the expert. Well, if you have been wondering about this, then you might not be entirely off track. A persistent office crush, one that distracts you, can be a signal. “It may indicate emotional under-stimulation at work, a need for validation, or simply a monotonous routine craving disruption.”You need to remember that having workplace crushes does not make you unprofessional, it is human. However, you must analyse if you are trying to fulfil your unmet personal or professional needs through the attraction. Possibly a question we have all asked ourselves. If the situation is professionally unjustifiable or feelings are not reciprocated, then it is ideal to redirect your energy into work, external social connections or personal goals, advises Dr Chandni. “Time and new stimulation are your most reliable tools. The office is a professional arena first, and emotional clarity, as uncomfortable as it demands, is always the smarter long game,” she said.No story has a pre-decided ending that is in your hands. While an office crush can be just an infatuation, sometimes it also transforms into a love story that ends with a happily ever after. What you need to prioritise is analysing your feelings and deciding if it is time for loving or learning.

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