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The Weird Things People Do When They’re in Love — And Why It’s Not That Weird After All

From stalking playlists to over analyzing texts, love makes us do the strangest things. But maybe those “weird” things are more human than we think.

By Abdushakur MrishoPublished 6 months ago 3 min read

🧩 Part 1: An Unexplainable Urge to… Screenshot Everything?

I once took a screenshot of a text that simply said:

“Get home safe 😊.”

It wasn’t the message itself — it was how it was said. The emoji. The timing. The feeling.

And I saved it. I stared at it more than I’d like to admit. Because when you’re in love — or something that smells like it — everything becomes a symbol. A timestamp. A clue.

We do weird things when we’re in love. But here’s the wild part: those “weird” things aren’t really weird at all.

🧠 Part 2: Love Hijacks the Brain — Literally

According to Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist who studies love, romantic attraction activates the same brain pathways as addictive drugs. The dopamine rush we get from a crush is chemically similar to cocaine.

So yes, checking if they’ve watched your story (and rewatching your own to analyze their possible reaction) is technically your brain on drugs.

Re-reading old messages?

Creating imaginary conversations in the shower?

Making a playlist you’ll never send?

Planning your wedding just because they double-tapped your meme?

That’s biology doing its thing.

🥹 Part 3: The Psychology Behind “Weird” Love Habits

Psychologists call this "Limerence" — a state of infatuation where you obsessively think about someone and seek validation from them. It’s not just romantic—it’s neurochemical and psychological:

Here’s a quick breakdown:

“Weird” Thing People Do What It Really Means

Zooming into a selfie to see their background Curiosity + subconscious attachment

Smelling their hoodie like a drug Comfort + scent memory (powerful brain trigger)

Talking to them in your head Emotional rehearsal + emotional connection

Keeping their old voice notes Dopamine keeps reactivating emotional highs

💌 Part 4: Real Stories, Real Weirdness (That’s Actually Normal)

I asked a few friends what they did when they were falling for someone:

🟠 Sarah: “I used to write letters to him I’d never send — 57 in total. It was my therapy.”

🟢 James: “I listened to the 4-minute voicemail she once left me every night for three months.”

🔵 Lina: “I created a fake Instagram account just to see what type of girls he liked. I was ashamed — but also relieved when I saw they looked like me.”

Crazy? Maybe.

Relatable? Completely.

Embarrassing? Only if we assume love is supposed to be logical.

🧘🏽‍♀️ Part 5: Why We Should Stop Calling It Weird

When you’re in love — especially in the early stages — your brain is craving certainty, connection, and patterns. You’re trying to decode affection in a world where nothing is promised.

So you do what humans do best:

You romanticize.

You imagine.

You collect small details and turn them into a story.

Calling it “weird” is a disservice to how deeply human these instincts are.

🧩 Part 6: When Does It Cross the Line?

Not everything is harmless. Sometimes, obsession or “weird” love behaviors might be signs of:

Emotional dependency

Low self-esteem

Attachment anxiety

📍If your behavior leads to constant anxiety, self-neglect, or violates someone’s boundaries, it’s time to pause and reflect.

Loving someone should expand you, not shrink you.

Final Thoughts:

We’re all a little unhinged when we’re in love.

That’s okay.

Because to love is to risk, to imagine, to feel more than usual.

And that sometimes means being “weird.”

But weird isn’t the opposite of love.

It’s proof that love is happening.

🗃️ Summary Table:

Section What You Learned

Love & the Brain It mimics addiction. Literally.

Psychology Limerence makes you overanalyze — and that’s normal

Personal Stories Everyone has a “weird love story”

What’s Healthy Be self-aware. Don’t lose yourself.

Final Word Weird = human. Don’t shame it.

🤔 Question for Readers:

What’s the “weirdest” thing you’ve done while crushing on someone — and would you do it again?

📢 CTA (Call-to-Action):

If this hit a little too close to home, don’t worry — we’ve all been there.

🧡 Like, comment, and follow me for more honest takes on love, identity, and real life.

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