Love can be confusing. In your eyes, they are the smartest, hottest, funniest person on earth and your perfect soulmate.

And all you want is for them to understand that so you can be together. Forever!

Well, maybe itâs something like that at least.

But in their eyes (and maybe other peopleâs), itâs getting kinda annoying.

If you’re into someone but things feel off, it may be time to back off before things get a little uncomfortable for you and them.

Here are 6 signs they may not be into you, and what you can do next.â¯

1. Crushing hard but not getting the hint?

You know when you see someone wearing headphones and theyâre rocking out like the whole world is hearing the same thing?

Yeah, that guy air-drumming, nodding to his own beat and making overly enthusiastic eye contact with anyone whoâll notice?

Mhmm, thatâs kind of what people look like when theyâre trying to bust moves on someone who’s not into it.â¯

When youâre struck by the love bug, you need to stay cool, take some time to find out what theyâre feeling, respect that and act accordingly.

Your job is not to wear them down with your enthusiasm.

Youâre not going to convince them you are their one true destiny by harassing them. â¯â¯

Sometimes youâll hear lovebirds say stuff like, âNgl as soon as we met we were both like, “No you’re amazing”â¯and weâve been in love ever since’.

Now, sorry to kill the mood, but itâs a lucky coincidence when two people find each other amazing and connect like that straight away.â¯â¯

Ever felt like someone was making moves on you and you just avoided them rather than have the potentially devastating rejection talk?

Yeah, well, that special someone who’s not responding to yourâ¯messages and always seems to be busy might just be trying to avoid hurting yourâ¯feelings.â¯

Remember, crushing hard doesnât mean pushing hard.

If theyâre not vibing, donât force it.

Chill a bit and respect what theyâre trying to tell you.

2. They Physically Pull Away

You notice they keep backing away when you’re near them.

You throw your arms out for a hug, and their hands stay firmly in their pockets.

You keep trying to sit next to them, but they sit somewhere else.

If theyâre stepping back, donât keep stepping in.

Respect the space, theyâre trying to tell you something without saying it straight up.

Thatâs your cue that itâs time to back off.

3. They Shut Down Conversations

You start hypothetical conversations about having a crush on someone or falling in love, but they change the subject or talk about other people theyâre into?

Awkward and a little disheartening, sure. But a good indicator that youâre overstepping their boundary or have misinterpreted how they feel.

Back it up, avoid the crash out, and just nonchalantly move on with them.

4. Handing out the rain-checks

You suggest meeting up sometime or going somewhere together, but they always seem to have a full diary or just change the subject.

If theyâre constantly avoiding a catch-up up itâs almost definitely not bad timing, itâs a subtle no.

If you feel comfortable, you could ask them to be straight like âAre you feeling like something could happen between us or nah?â

Or it might just be time to give them some space.

5. Mixed messagesâ¯

Give it a break and let them take the initiative.

But remember, even getting a message from them doesnât suddenly mean theyâve changed their mind.

They might just be a decent and polite human being who returns messages or doesnât want to hurt your feelings.â¯

That can be all good when itâs early days and youâre just trying to let them know you’re keen. But what if something’s happened between you already and you want to take things further?

How do you make sure theyâre thinking the same thing?â¯

Check in. It’s as simple as that.

A simple question like âHow are you feeling about all this?â is a good start.

Whether itâs during a date, after a date, or hanging out on the couch together, or even among the Snaps youâve sent them, listen carefully, make sure you understand what theyâre saying, and respect how they feel, no matter how disappointing it might be.â¯

Even if theyâre keen at first, keep checking in.

People change their minds, and youâre only going to look better for asking.

Let them know youâll only keep going, whether itâs calling them, kissing them or anything else, if theyâre 100% into it.

Check out this article about consent for more on this.

6. What To Do If It Hurts

The downside to all this is you might feel a little bummed out at first.â¯

The upsides are: you donât stress them out, you donât rattle yourself, and you can start getting your friendship (or whatever it is) back on track.

If it feels crap at first, remember itâs not always going to feel like this.

But youâll eventually be ok, and it might even feel good to be the one who picked up on the signals, played it cool and acted respectfully.

Give yourself a solid pat on the back.â¯

Getting not interested signals from someone doesnât necessarily mean they dislike you, they might think youâre brilliant, but they just donât want to be in a relationship with you right now.

Youâveâ¯just got to learn to let it go, even though it might feel brutal at first.

Nobodyâs to blame for it not working out, not you, and especiallynot them.

So definitely donât start sulking or getting angry.

Just back up, rethink what your relationship with this person is and be proud of yourself for taking the high road.

You just made it clear that you know and see the line.