My eldest daughter has reached an age where she's developing her first crush, describing it as a kaleidoscope of butterflies fluttering around in her stomach, accompanied by cold & clammy hands, blushing cheeks and sudden shyness. My sweetheart, the memory of experiencing these butterflies is still etched vividly in my mind, it’s a feeling that I can remember all too well.
A crush can be both amazing and agonising. It’s a surge of dopamine that floods our brain and creates a profound sense of excitement and euphoria. The thought and sight of that special someone can cause a rush of emotions which are exhilarating and addictive. It's as if our brain is constantly seeking the next hit, leading to wishful daydream, obsessive & strange behaviour. It's a feeling that's hard to control, but impossible to ignore
Whenever I had a crush, I regressed into an awkward teenager, leaving behind any sense of personal charisma and grace. A combination of giddiness and an insatiable urge to overshare would take over, causing me to act impulsively and without a filter. I recall one incident in particular from several decades ago that still makes me cringe to this day. An inappropriate confession involuntarily escaped my lips before I had the chance to restrain myself. Nevertheless, that's a tale better saved for another time.
The allure of a crush is undeniable, as it can produce an electrifying burst of happy hormones that keeps the heart racing and the mind buzzing with anticipation, but if it goes unrequited, it can leave you feeling utterly crushed.