Why aren't you and your crush together already

Six reasons you aren't dating for real... yet.

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Stop us if this sounds familiar: One of your girls is swooning over her camp crush. Your track teammate is asking if you’ve hit up the new udon spot because she wants to take her GF this weekend. Your bestie just showed you the sweet Spotify playlist her S.O. made her. And let’s not even talk about the cringe-but-cute texts you spot your friends sending to their baes during lunch.

You’re happy for your pals…but, ugh, why aren’t you living out your own love story? Well, consider what might be holding you back—and how to break through.

YOUR “MUST” LIST IS A MILE LONG.

Listen, we’re all about having high standards. But rolling out a scroll of impossible wishes (you’re looking for someone who’s tall, plays guitar, has a 4.5 GPA and also plans on going to college in New York) doesn’t ensure a perfect pairing—trust us. And even if you do find that dream bae? They might not be right for you when it comes to day-to-day dating. Unicorns may be pretty…but they’re often just the stuff of fairy tales.

So set aside your more surface-level requirements and focus on crushes who meet the deeper musts, like being respectful, honest and kind. Then, maybe give someone who is a bit unexpected a shot.

YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO *LOVE* THEM.