Dreaming about someone liking you is a reflection of either your real life or the world of your dreams, and it can vary from being about a boy/girl, man/woman, father/mother, friends to even yourself!

Dreams can be a reflection of the reality that we want and are pursuing. So, if you dream about someone liking you, then you may want to evaluate your life to see what is missing. Check out the following interpretations and analysis of the meaning of dreaming about someone liking you.

It could be a dream come true to see people who don’t otherwise know you liking you in your dreams. If you want them to be more than just an observer in the dream, there are some ways to tell if those feelings will flow over into reality.

Ever had a dream that someone you don’t know very well starts to like you? Maybe it was someone you went to school with, or someone from work or just some random stranger. It is often difficult to decipher dreams, but if this person has a rather significant role in the dream itself, it usually means some sort of acceptance or acknowledgement from that person which is typically considered a good idea.

What Does It Mean If You Dream About Someone Liking You

Dreaming about someone liking you can be a fun experience, but it also brings up some major concerns as well. Examples of dreams about having crushes on someone will go over common themes from:

Dreaming about someone liking you or flirting with you is never a good dream. This means that someone will take advantage of your kindness, and do you an injustice. If this happens to you, pay attention to the clues you were given in the dream. This can help you better deal with the reality that may come when this person takes advantage of you.

When you dream about someone liking you, it describes the ways in which you express love and affection in your waking life. Watching someone fall in love with you can be a very rewarding experience on a personal and emotional level. In dreams, this indicates that you accept that others love you without reservation. Accept the unconditional love that surrounds you.

What Does It Mean If You Dream About Someone Liking You

To dream that you like someone
If you dream that you like someone, that symbolizes happiness and love. You and your partner have the same feelings for each other as at the beginning of a relationship. You enjoy every moment that you spend together, and you are surer every day that you have found a soulmate and someone who you want to spend the rest of your life with. You think similarly and have mutual conversation topics, but even silence sounds good to you when you are with that person.

To dream that someone likes you
When you are dreaming that someone likes you, it means that you are running away from obligations. You probably had a perfect relationship with your partner until you realized that they want something more from your relationship. Your mood has started to change from that moment, and you have become depressed. Your partner will notice that something is going on, but you will need a lot of time to admit that you are afraid of attachment and that you believe that you will get tired of each other pretty quickly.

To dream that you don’t like anyone
Dreaming that you don’t like anyone implies that you have too big expectations. You may have decided in advance which characteristics and conditions a person you want to marry has to have. You will get disappointed since you will realize that no one is perfect and that you have to give a lot to get the best, as well.

To dream of someone that you liked
If you dream of an ex-crush, it means that beautiful memories remind you of that period of your life. You probably liked that person when you were a kid or teenager, so they remind you of times when you were carefree. You probably gladly remember the days when obligations and problems didn’t smother you like today. You go down the memory lane with the smile on your face, so nice moments have appeared in your dream, as well.

What 10 Common Dreams About Crushes Really Mean

You finally work up the nerve to tell your crush you like them. And great news: They feel the same way. You’re leaning in for the kiss, but then… poof! You wake up in bed. Alone. If this sounds familiar, you’re in good company — sleep-time fantasies about your romantic interest are common. But what does it mean when you dream about your crush?

Short answer: It probably means that something to do with said crush is top of mind. “We tend to dream about what is on our mind the most,” says certified dream analyst Lauri Loewenberg. “Dreaming of your crush is absolutely normal and is often the way the subconscious mind explores the possibilities.”

These dreams aren’t necessarily just about the person you’re actively crushing on, she adds. You might encounter a former sweetheart, celeb crush, or an unfamiliar lover in dreamland — the scenarios vary (as is the case with, well, all dreams). These nighttime experiences can also take a more sinister turn if you dream about your crush dying or getting rejected by your beloved. Whatever’s happening in your mind as you snooze, your dream is telling you something — here’s how to decode it, according to a dream expert.

What It Means If You Have A Dream About Your Real, Current Crush

Let’s start with the basics: What does it mean when you have a dream about someone you like? Not surprisingly, dreaming about your current crush is a way for your psyche to fulfill that real-life desire, according to Loewenberg. If you’re thinking about your boo all day long, it makes sense you’d dream about them too. And if you’re noticing that you’re having these dreams all the time, it might be a signal that you want to express your true feelings to them and your subconscious is telling you to just go for it already.

This type of dream also allows you to explore the possibility of this relationship more than you might in waking life, she adds. Dreams can give you insights about your feelings, according to Loewenberg, so rehashing what happened while you slept can potentially help you make sense of your emotions come sunrise.

What It Means If You Dream That Your Crush Has Died

This one is less of a dream and more of a nightmare, and it might signal exactly what it sounds like: the end of a crush. “Death in a dream means something is changing in real life or something has come to an end,” explains Loewenberg. “Are your feelings towards this person changing? Has that person changed? Your subconscious may even be warning you that this person is not a good fit for you.” Depending on how you answer those questions, your subconscious might have already provided the solution: Move on.

What It Means If You Have A Dream About An Old Crush

So what does it mean when you dream about someone you used to like? Digging up the past in dreamland could indicate that something happening in your real life evokes previous experiences, says Loewenberg. This might literally be tied to your ex-crush: For example, maybe you’re seeing someone new who reminds you of them.

These dreams can also happen when you encounter a situation or behavior patterns that remind you of the past, she points out. Take notice of what elements mimic your real life to understand what your subconscious might be telling you. These insights could help you suss out helpful or harmful dynamics in your current relationships.

What It Means If You Dream Someone Has A Crush On You

If you have a dream that someone likes you, it could be your subconscious highlighting your favorite personal qualities, according to Loewenberg. If your crush compliments you, odds are you feel this way about yourself. How’s that for a sweet dream?

Other times, it’s best to take these fantasies literally. Loewenberg says dreams like this are often your intuition communicating with you. If you have a dream that somebody has a crush on you and it gives you butterflies, chances are you’re crushing on them IRL. Or, if you dream someone likes you but you don’t like them back, it means that new opportunity doesn’t excite you.

What It Means If You Dream That You’re Rejected By Your Crush

Better this happens while you snooze than in real life, right? These types of dreams could also be your intuition at work, according to Loewenberg. “This could be your intuition letting you know that this may not work out and preparing you for it,” she tells Bustle. But not all is lost. She recommends asking yourself if this dream is actually just a manifestation of your own insecurities as opposed to a sign that your crush isn’t feeling it.

What It Means If You Dream Your Crush Likes You Back

On the flip side, maybe your intuition is telling you that you have a shot with your crush. If you have dreams that your romantic interest reciprocates your feelings, it can represent your confidence and optimism that things could work out, according to Loewenberg. So if you’ve been waiting to shoot your shot, consider this the sign you’ve been waiting for.

What It Means If You Dream About A Celebrity Crush

If you’re having dreams about Chris Hemsworth, no one can blame you. While this dream might just tell you about a crush you have on a celebrity, it can also signify something deeper, says Loewenberg. Depending on who you’re dreaming about, it can be a sign there’s something about the celebrity that you identify with or are attracted to and want to embody yourself, she explains. Perhaps you love Dan Levy’s humor or Lupita Nyong’o’s talent. Either way, it could mean that you’d like to incorporate those qualities into your own life (or maybe just get married to Chris Hemsworth, after all).

What It Means If You Dream About A Crush On A Stranger

Though it may seem odd to have a steamy dream about a stranger, it’s actually your subconscious highlighting parts of your personality that you don’t fully recognize, says Loewenberg.

In general, she says crushing on an unknown male in a dream is representative of stereotypically masculine qualities, like assertiveness. Taking a liking to an unknown woman typically represents traditionally feminine energy, like creativity and being in tune to those around you. When this happens in a dream, it’s a signal that you’re beginning to acknowledge and appreciate those parts of yourself.

What It Means If You Dream You Have A Crush On A Different Gender Than You’re Normally Attracted To

So if you have a dream that you have a crush on a girl, does that mean you’re secretly gay, or vice versa? Eh, not so much, says Loewenberg. These dreams aren’t so much representative of your sexuality, but rather reveal certain qualities that you’re attracted to in general. Females usually represent sensitivity, intuitiveness, and creativity, while males usually symbolize being ballsy and taking action, according to Loewenberg.

This might mean you look for those qualities in a partner or appreciate them in yourself. “So for a woman to dream of having a crush or being strongly attracted to another woman in a dream, it would likely mean she is feeling proud of some creative or kind part of herself,” she says.

What It Means If You Dream That You Have A Crush On Someone You Don’t Actually Like IRL

Ugh, ever had one of these and woken up needing a shower? According to Loewenberg, it doesn’t necessarily mean you secretly harbor feelings for them. “You may not like that person, but there is something about them the subconscious likes,” she tells Bustle. “Ask yourself what stands out about that person. Of the things you chose, at least one of them is something your subconscious admires.”

How 4 Women Found Out Their Partner Was Cheating On Them

Being lied to or deceived is never a good feeling: Nobody wants to feel like they can’t trust another person in their life, and lying can damage all sorts of relationships. Experiencing lies at the hand of a partner, however, can be next-level painful — especially when you find out that your partner is cheating.

While the idea of what cheating consists of can vary from couple to couple, many experts say that breaking trust or a mutual agreement in a relationship is definitely a form of cheating. “Cheating is an act of betrayal. Betrayal is a violation of a person’s trust,” clinical psychologist Dr. Joshua Klapow previously told Bustle. “Depending on a person’s history of trust issues, betrayals, attachment style, and security, it may take one episode of a betrayal to dissolve the relationship … it is totally dependent as much on the person, their history, and the strength of the relationship as it is on the type of cheating that has occurred.”

If you’ve experienced this in a past relationship or if you’re going through a similar situation now, you’re not alone. Bustle asked readers to reveal their stories about how they caught a cheating partner. Here, four women share their experiences.

Grace, 24

I went out with a group of friends, and he offered to drop me off to meet them. At the end of the night he said he wanted to pick me up so I told him to drive my car. When he came I had a few girls that needed a ride so I told them to all hop in my car. I asked him to drop three of us off first because we were hungry after a night of drinking. He took the other two girls home after and came back to my place. He told me one of the girls hit on him and he turned her down, for which she apologized and told me the next day. I wasn’t mad about it at all. Two weeks go by and I find out the other girl did hit on him too when a mutual friend ratted her out to me. He got her number and was hitting on her while living at my place. I confronted him, and he admitted he was texting with her and that maybe his texts came off as flirty. The girl was known for being a home wrecker, and now I understand why. I broke things off the next day and never looked back.

Cassandra, 27

My new partner was hosting a house party that I had helped plan. It was the first time I was meeting a bunch of their friends from out of town. Even though I had helped out, they hadn’t officially invited me to the party until about a week before. I was hurt, but rationalized it as that they wanted to get some alone time with close friends since we had very recently become “official.” After the party, everything was pretty normal, but about two weeks later, my partner’s sister’s boyfriend texted me. He said he felt so horrible that they were all keeping it a secret — my partner had slept with someone that night at the party. I was so hurt and called my partner, who wouldn’t answer the phone. Their sister then texted me to tell me that it was my fault because we were supposedly on “a break.” Huh? We broke up, and I’m better off now!

Katie, 30

This was at age 22, so I don’t remember how many months we had been together at this point, but we were exclusive. We were on our way to a party and stopped to grab a bottle of something to bring for the host. He went in, and I stayed in the car with his phone. I thought I’d be cute and take a selfie and set it as his wallpaper. I got curious, nosy, insecure — whatever you want to call it — and opened his texts. I saw a name I didn’t recognize, so I opened up the thread to find what seemed like endless nudes and sexting spanning over the many months that he and I had been dating. He came back to the car, and I demanded he drive me home. I told him what I found and that I didn’t feel bad about how I found it. He took me home, and we cried and talked all night. He claimed he didn’t know her in real life — she was “just a girl from the Internet,” as though that made it any better. Things ended in a “break.” We tried to date again after a while, but ultimately I couldn’t ever trust him again.

Ashley, 29

I found out my boyfriend of four years had cheated on me when I got suspicious and went through his phone. He had started acting distant and less affectionate than usual, and we were beginning to get into arguments more frequently, which was not normal for us. I noticed that he was “staying late at work” more and more often, and at first I didn’t think anything of it — until the distance started. I went through his phone and found texts between him and another woman whose name I didn’t recognize. They had clearly met up at least once, so this had been going on for a while. He did admit to cheating, and cried to me about how sorry he was and that it meant nothing. I was heartbroken but still so in love with him, so I didn’t immediately end things.

We were living together at the time and our lives were very intertwined, so I wanted to try to save what was left of our relationship. We went to couples counseling, but he ended up breaking up with me anyway.

Hinge’s New Feature Makes It Easier To Explore Non-Monogamy

Although non-monogamy is not a new concept by any means, it’s certainly becoming more understood and accepted in the dating world. Millennials, especially, have come to embrace the idea of open relationships and ethical non-monogamy in recent years, with a poll by YouGov reporting that 43% of millennials consider some level of non-monogamy to be their relationship ideal. Online daters have become no stranger to this trend, as well — including Gen Zers who use dating apps.

According to a Hinge press release, the app found that 15% of its Gen Z users and LGBTQIA+ users are exploring the type of relationship they want, or are intentionally looking to engage in non-monogamy. This impacts several ways in which people use dating apps like Hinge as their preferred relationship style might not be compatible with everyone. And so, on Nov. 16, the dating app is releasing an update that allows daters the opportunity to display what type of relationship style they’re looking for right on their profile.

“Asking ‘What are you looking for?’ doesn’t just mean, ‘Do you want marriage and kids?’ It stands for so much more, and Hinge wants to help users know if someone’s dating goals match theirs from the moment they look at a profile,” said Hinge’s director of relationship science, Logan Ury, in a statement.

If this piques your interest, read on for everything you need to know about Hinge’s relationship types profile update.

What Is The “Relationship Types” Hinge Update?

If you’ve ever been curious about exploring an open or polyamorous relationship, or if you’re already non-monogamous and looking to find new partners, you’re in luck: Hinge’s new profile update will let you shine a light on your preferred relationship style and find users who share that in common with you.

The “relationship types” profile option on Hinge gives users three different styles to choose from for their relationship goal: monogamy, non-monogamy, or “still figuring it out.” This feature will be available to all Hinge users starting Nov. 16, just in time for cuffing season. Users can also add a “backstory” to clarify their relationship type, explain their past experience with it, or share why they’re curious about it now. This means that it will also be visible on the profiles of others, so you can keep an eye out for other non-monogamous users while you’re swiping.

How To Add Your Relationship Type To Your Hinge Profile

According to Hinge’s press release, you can now log on to Hinge and add your relationship type to your profile by going to your settings and choosing your preferred relationship goal under “edit profile.” Once you choose either “monogamy,” “non-monogamy,” or “still figuring out my relationship type,” an optional text box will allow you to type out your “backstory” in your own words. From there, try striking up a conversation with someone who shares a similar relationship type or backstory — you never know where it might lead.