u/Any_Willingness4665

Around 2 months ago, I saw this girl at a fair and thought she was really cute. I ended up asking for her Instagram, which is something I normally would've never done.

At first, I genuinely wanted to get to know her. We talked once and she was really enthusiastic, but it only lasted one night. After that, our communication became pretty one-sided. She used to like some of my posts and stories, but eventually stopped. She also stopped responding to my messages. To be fair, I rarely messaged her because I didn't want to come off as desperate or creepy.

The confusing part is that she still sees most of the things I post, but beyond that, there isn't really much interaction between us.

Here's the weird part.

Before I met her, I spent most of my free time grinding mobile games. I didn't really care about how I dressed. I usually just wore whatever was convenient, even when going out. I wasn't doing much with my hobbies either.

But because I liked her, I started trying to improve myself.

I got more interested in fashion and started paying attention to what I wear. Even when I'm just going out casually, I care a lot more about my appearance now.

I got back into art and started posting my work online. Recently, I made my first animation and people actually liked it. Some reposted it, commented on it, and it made me realize how much I enjoy creating things.

I also got back into singing and playing guitar, hobbies I had neglected for a long time.

At first, I was doing these things partly because I hoped she'd notice me or become interested. But now I'm realizing I genuinely enjoy them for myself.

The problem is that I still like her.

Part of me wants to give it one last shot if a natural opportunity comes up. Another part of me feels like the lack of responses is already my answer and I should just move on.

Has anyone else experienced this? A crush that never really became anything, but ended up changing your life for the better?

And based on what I've described, what would you do in my situation?

(edit)

It feels like no matter what I do, I'm the one expected to

adjust. I was quietly working on an animation—something I genuinely enjoy—and my dad started criticizing it, saying it was pointless and that I should focus on architecture instead. He didn't ask why I liked it. He didn't try to understand it. He just talked down to it.

When I walked away because I didn't want to argue, he got even angrier. Then my mom called and started yelling too without even hearing my side first.

What hurts isn't just this one argument. It's that it keeps happening. Whenever there's a problem, it feels like my parents automatically take the same side, and my side doesn't really matter.

My mom says things like, "Your father has always been like that," or "You should just listen even if he's wrong." To me, that sounds like everyone is expected to adapt to him, but nobody expects him to change. It's like his behavior gets excused because that's how he's always been.

Then they say things like, "He just wants to be close to you." But being close to someone isn't constantly criticizing what they care about. If anything, it pushes me away.

They also say I've changed because I don't apologize the way I used to. Maybe I have changed. But from my perspective, I got tired of apologizing for things I don't think are my fault. I got tired of always being the one who has to keep the peace.

What makes it harder is that during this argument, my dad became so angry that he wanted to hit me. And afterward, instead of focusing on how serious that is, I was told that I should be grateful because he didn't actually do it. I don't understand that way of thinking. Being grateful that someone chose not to hurt me doesn't make me feel understood. It makes me feel like the standard has become so low that I'm expected to see basic self-control as something I should thank people for.

At some point, I stopped feeling shocked when they yelled. I got used to it. Not because it's okay, but because it happens so often. Sometimes I even laugh because what they're saying sounds so contradictory and unreasonable to me that I can't take it seriously anymore.

And honestly, that's the part that scares me a little. I don't feel hurt the way I used to. I feel exhausted. Like I've heard the same arguments a hundred times already.

I don't hate my parents as people. I hate this dynamic. I hate feeling unheard. I hate being judged before anyone asks for my side. I hate that when I care about something, it gets dismissed instead of understood.

More than anything, I wish they would listen to me as a person instead of treating every disagreement like a challenge to their authority. I wish they would stop asking why I've changed and start asking what made me feel this way in the first place.

A girl I liked accidentally improved my life, and now I don't know what to do.

what is my cqs

im tired.