“Everyone in my class is suddenly in a relationship… but I’m still figuring out what love even means.” Ashpreet, 17, shares his honest thoughts on what it feels like when crushes turn into flings, and relationships seem more about reels and peer pressure than real connection. Is it love or just FOMO? What does commitment even mean at our age? These are raw, unfiltered musings straight from a teen -filled with doubts, learnings, and a little bit of drama too.

I swear, the moment you turn 16, people act like being in a relationship is part of the syllabus. So we like a classmate. Like, really like them. Suddenly, everything reminds us of them. This feeling? That’s what people call a crush. And honestly, the name fits because it can totally crush your peace of mind.

If it’s serious, we start thinking about them all the time—zoning out in class, doodling their initials in our notebooks, and just daydreaming. And if we hear a rumour from a friend that they might like us back? Nice!!

Failed a test today? Got scolded by your mom for not studying again? No big deal, our crush likes us back, and that’s all that matters.

After a while, that attraction can turn into a fling. If things go well, we hang out more, text more, and next thing you know, after one of us confesses, it becomes an official relationship.

Some of these relationships don’t last very long. And honestly? That’s okay. What we thought was true love might just be a phase. The feelings are real, no doubt about that. But what often gets missed is the idea of commitment.

But why does it fall apart so fast

Sometimes, relationships don’t last because we’re influenced by what we see—social media couples, movies, or even peer pressure. Everyone’s posting couple reels while we’re out here commenting “Me and who?” So we jump into something we’re not fully ready for, just to avoid feeling left out. Yes, the dreaded FOMO, fear of missing out.

And the moment there’s one tiny fight? Cue the sad Arijit Singh songs on Instagram stories.

Just because it didn’t last doesn’t mean it wasn’t real. It might have felt like love in that moment. But in all the excitement, what we forget is what actually keeps a relationship going: commitment.

What it takes to be in a commitment

Real relationships, whether you’re a teen or an adult, need way more than just heart emojis and cute aesthetic stories. They need commitment, trust, honesty, and the ability to not block each other after every small misunderstanding.

It takes letting go of selfishness, putting our egos aside, and truly caring about the other person. We can’t just say “kuch nahi” when clearly, kuch hai. We need to talk, not just send cryptic reels or post passive-aggressive stories hoping they get the hint.

What you learn

Whether it lasts a year, a month, or just a day, every relationship teaches us something. It teaches us to be emotionally stronger, to move on from what isn’t right for us, and to reflect on where we may have gone wrong too.

So the next time you find yourself crushing on someone, take a pause. Ask yourself: am I ready for a commitment, or is it just a phase? Whether it ends in a week or lasts longer, you’ll always walk away with something.

Love may not last forever, but it can shape you in ways you never expected. And if nothing else, hey, at least you’ll have some dramatic stories to tell in the future. Ever felt the same? Drop your story in the comments, we’re listening.

Do you have any questions that are bothering you? Share with us in the comments box below. Remember no rude words or personal information in the comment box!