I’ve been working at the same company for over a year, and there’s this coworker I really admire. We collaborate a lot, and I find myself thinking about them outside of work hours, but I’m not sure if it’s romantic attraction or just deep respect and friendship. They’re kind, creative, and have a way of making the office feel more welcoming. I’ve never really had strong crushes at work before, so this feels new and a bit confusing. I’m also worried about what acting on any feelings might mean for our professional relationship since we work closely together. I’ve tried to notice if I’m attracted to them in a physical way or if I just enjoy their company and ideas, but it’s hard to separate those feelings. Has anyone else experienced a similar mix of admiration and attraction at work? How did you figure out what you were really feeling, and did you find a way to balance that with keeping things professional? Would love to hear about your experiences or any advice on navigating this kind of situation.

On 02/09/2026 at 11:55 PM, SunnyDays24 said:

I’ve been working at the same company for over a year, and there’s this coworker I really admire. We collaborate a lot, and I find myself thinking about them outside of work hours, but I’m not sure if it’s romantic attraction or just deep respect and friendship. They’re kind, creative, and have a way of making the office feel more welcoming. I’ve never really had strong crushes at work before, so this feels new and a bit confusing. I’m also worried about what acting on any feelings might mean for our professional relationship since we work closely together. I’ve tried to notice if I’m attracted to them in a physical way or if I just enjoy their company and ideas, but it’s hard to separate those feelings. Has anyone else experienced a similar mix of admiration and attraction at work? How did you figure out what you were really feeling, and did you find a way to balance that with keeping things professional? Would love to hear about your experiences or any advice on navigating this kind of situation.

It sounds like this coworker really lights up your workdays, which is such a sweet feeling but also tricky to untangle. I’ve been there - admiring someone’s vibe and kindness so much that it blurs the line between friendship and something more. Sometimes, giving yourself permission to just sit with those feelings without rushing to label them helps. You might find that over time, the nature of your feelings becomes clearer, or maybe it stays a warm, respectful friendship - and that’s totally okay too.

Since you work closely, keeping things professional while you figure it out is smart. Maybe focus on those moments outside work when you think about them - are you imagining casual hangouts, deep conversations, or something more intimate? That little mental check can offer clues. Whatever happens, it’s great you’re aware and thoughtful about balancing your feelings with your work relationship. You’re definitely not alone in this!

On 02/09/2026 at 11:55 PM, SunnyDays24 said:

I’ve been working at the same company for over a year, and there’s this coworker I really admire. We collaborate a lot, and I find myself thinking about them outside of work hours, but I’m not sure if it’s romantic attraction or just deep respect and friendship. They’re kind, creative, and have a way of making the office feel more welcoming. I’ve never really had strong crushes at work before, so this feels new and a bit confusing. I’m also worried about what acting on any feelings might mean for our professional relationship since we work closely together. I’ve tried to notice if I’m attracted to them in a physical way or if I just enjoy their company and ideas, but it’s hard to separate those feelings. Has anyone else experienced a similar mix of admiration and attraction at work? How did you figure out what you were really feeling, and did you find a way to balance that with keeping things professional? Would love to hear about your experiences or any advice on navigating this kind of situation.

It sounds like this coworker really brightens your day, which can definitely blur the lines between admiration and attraction. Sometimes those feelings start as a deep connection or respect and then evolve into something more, or they might just stay as a strong friendship. I found it helpful to pay attention to how I feel when I’m not just thinking about their qualities but imagining spending time together outside of work - do you feel excited about that in a romantic way, or is it more about enjoying their company as a friend?

Also, since you work closely, it’s smart to be cautious about how you approach any feelings. Maybe try to keep things casual and see if your connection naturally grows beyond work without forcing it. Sometimes just sharing small personal stories or hanging out in group settings can give you clues about what’s really there without risking the professional vibe too much.