12 Reasons Why She Doesn’t Like You And What To do About It

Woman Ignoring A Man

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Rejection is not uncommon, and almost everybody faces it at some time in their life. Men getting a negative response from the woman they crush on are often hung up on the question, ‘why doesn’t she like me?’ Well, not everyone who admires and likes someone gets the same in response. While for some couples, the affection is mutual and things work out well, others might face disinterest, detached behavior, or indifference from women they have a crush on. Read this post as we explore the common reasons behind a woman’s disinterest and how you can navigate these challenging feelings.

In This Article

12 Reasons She Doesn’t Like You

A woman may not return your affection due to countless reasons, including individual factors, unique events, and your personal chemistry with them. However, some reasons stand out as they happen more often than others. We’ve listed 12 of them for you below.

1. You misread some signals from her

Miscommunication can occur between anyone. It is even more common to be blinded by love and misread certain words or gestures of someone we care about. Perhaps she doesn’t like you because you confessed your emotions to her based on the assumption that she likes you as well. In truth, your optimism and desire to be with her blinded you to some of the indicators that she only sees you as a friend and led you to misread certain signals from her. This is a common cause for rejection, animosity, and aversion, it is nothing to be ashamed of.

2. She has feelings for someone else

She likes someone else

Image: IStock

In an increasingly connected world of billions, there is a fair chance the person you like has feelings for someone else — and that person may like another person too! So while you’re focused on your feelings and how to articulate them to the person you like, she might have been going through the same turmoil in her mind about someone else altogether. While you might have mistaken her giddiness and excitement as affection for you, it was likely about someone else. This may lead to a situation of resistance and your feelings being dismissed.

3. You come on too strong

Confidence is an attractive quality to have. But you need to exercise caution so it doesn’t turn into overconfidence or cockiness. If your approach when confessing your feelings to her or asking her out comes across as aggressive or cocky, it may repulse her, and it is not surprising that she may not be interested in reciprocating the same feelings toward you. Society often expects men to act like they’re in charge, and those women are only attracted to “alpha males.” But you should be yourself, your true self, when telling someone how you feel about them to avoid confusion, hatred, and contempt.

4. You lack confidence

You lack confidence

Image: IStock

It is equally important to have self-confidence and not be too shy when it comes to relationships. A lot of this comes down to how you asked her out. Maybe you texted her, or you took the help of a common friend. Regardless, if you have not demonstrated your passion and intent clearly and respectfully, it could be a turn-off. Shyness can be attractive to a certain degree, but women typically want someone who demonstrates confidence when it comes to relationships.

5. She sees you as clingy

While it’s nice to be appreciated, everyone has their limits. If you constantly call her, text her, or turn up in the places she usually frequents, there’s a good chance that’s a big turn-off to her. You need to find the right balance when showing her you enjoy her company and presence and not come across as smothering. Clinginess may cause resentment in a relationship. If someone sees you as clingy or needy, they may want to distance themselves from you, even as friends. So give her some space and try to find the middle ground so that she doesn’t detest or dread your company.

6. She thinks you have the wrong intention

She thinks you have the wrong intention

Image: IStock

Casual dating is a big part of modern-day romance. However, some people want a certain level of connection and emotional intimacy in relationships. If she feels that you intend to have a short-term physical relationship and establish sexual contact, she may well reject and despise you. Watch out for certain body language or verbal cues you may unintentionally be sending out. Make it clear why you like her and want to enter into a relationship with her.

protip_icon Do remember
If your verbal assurances don’t work, try introducing her to your friends and siblings, if not your parents. Giving her entry into your private circle tells her you are serious about her.

7. Your outlook is unappealing to her

A big part of what makes a person desirable is their overall outlook in life. If she senses that your outlook is negative, she might find that unattractive. It is important to be able to talk to someone we like about anything, but before you tell them your feelings, you might want to make sure you don’t always seem like you’re complaining or victimizing yourself. While friends may sympathize with any difficult situations in your life, a potential romantic partner is not likely to and may develop a disinclination for you.

8. She senses a lack of passion in you

Why does not she like me

Image: IStock

We all gravitate towards people with high energy, people who are passionate about the things they do. This is even more true when it comes to relationships. While your friends or family may admire you for how content you are with your life and consistent when it comes to your routine, you need to change things up when it comes to women. Women are attracted to people who are passionate about things — people who aren’t afraid of chasing their dreams. No, it doesn’t mean you should change your personality; do your best to show her the exciting and ambitious side of you.

9. You talk too little or too much

While this might seem vague, you’d be surprised how many men have been on both sides of this conundrum when facing rejection. Some men talk too little, leaving the woman bored and making her feel like she’s doing most of the heavy lifting when socializing. Others, on the other hand, tend to talk too much. They may sometimes offer unwanted opinions on everything or pass comments when they’re not solicited. If you fall into any of these categories, you should look to correct it in your personal and professional life so people get a good impression of you.

10. She isn’t physically attracted to you

She is not physically attracted to you

Image: IStock

Some people have a misconception that men are mostly focused on looks and women are mainly focused on personality. It is not a rule you should live your life by — women are equally invested in the physical aspect of a potential partner. If she doesn’t like you and none of the other reasons apply, it could be that she isn’t attracted to you physically. This could be anything from an aversion to your dress sense or posture or even grooming. Everyone has different tastes and, every once in a while, their taste won’t align with yours.

protip_icon Quick tip
Get fit! Healthy people are attractive. And it is never too late to work out and eat healthily. Work on your outer appearance, dress well and get into shape.

11. She doesn’t like your attitude or behavior

You might have all the right characteristics and looks, but your attitude and behavior could end up being your downfall when it comes to certain women. It could be something as simple as how you talk to your Uber driver or waiter to how you pass comments on other people. Maybe you unintentionally offended a friend or family member of hers or said something that she found offensive. Regardless, it is important to have a positive attitude and behave decently if you are serious about attracting a woman.

12. Reasons beyond your control

She might reject you for reasons that are well beyond your control. Maybe she’s dated a close friend of yours and doesn’t want to make you both uncomfortable. Maybe she’s recovering from a break-up and wants to be alone for a while. Maybe she has a certain preference when it comes to a potential partner. If you find yourself rejected due to one of these, know that it’s not your fault. Stay positive.

What To Do If She Doesn’t Like You?

You could try the following tips to move on gracefully.

1. Take the rejection like a gentleman

Every time we open ourselves to romance and put our feelings out there, we expose ourselves to the risk of rejection. We all need to understand that this can happen. Things didn’t work out this time, but having a positive outlook and response can make you more prepared in the future. Don’t take rejection personally and keep looking forward. How you behave at your most vulnerable shows your true strength of character.

2. Remember that you have been in their position at some point

If you already haven’t rejected someone who likes you, chances are, someday you will. You need to see things in a broader perspective and know that just like how you didn’t reciprocate the feelings of everyone who has ever liked you, the person rejecting you is doing the same.

Keeping a broader perspective will help you accept the rejection well and be better prepared to move forward with your life without harboring any resentment.

3. Take some time to process your emotions

If you had intense feelings for the person who rejected you, it is perfectly natural to feel like your world is falling apart. This is when you need to take a deep breath and take some time for yourself to process your emotions. You will find that your response and outlook will be more tempered, mature, and healthy once you do this. This could lead to a productive friendship at the very least or even a relationship if all the cards align someday in the future.

4. Don’t let the rejection influence your self-worth

Often, a rejection of your feelings can seem like a rejection of you as a person. You need to disassociate the things you do from who you are. Many factors could have influenced her decision, and most of them may not be remotely related to who you are. It could be bad timing, miscommunication, another love interest, or just bad luck. Don’t let rejection affect your sense of self-worth and get you feeling down.

protip_icon Do remember
Just because Leonardo DiCaprio is not someone’s favorite actor doesn’t mean he is not a good actor. Similarly, you don’t have to appeal to everyone.

5. Remember that you tried

You’ll find few things braver than articulating your feelings for someone and making yourself completely vulnerable to their judgment and acceptance. If things don’t go your way, and you find yourself rejected, remember, you dared to try. If you hadn’t done so in some attempt to protect your ego or respect, you would likely have regretted it much more in the long run.

6. You have no control over how people feel

When we fail to secure something we want, our natural instinct is to see where we went wrong or what mistakes we made. It’s something that we can apply to every social or personal situation. When it comes to rejection, however, we need to remember that a lot of things are out of our control. Whether it’s a third party, the other person’s mindset, or just bad luck on your part, there will always be things beyond your control, so there is no use dwelling on them after the rejection.

7. Don’t stalk the person who rejected you

This is easier said than done, especially today. Social media, common message groups, or even the same workplace or hangout spots — it has become increasingly difficult to avoid running into the person who rejected you. But what you can control is your own behavior. Remember, often social media ruins relationships. Don’t fall into the emotional quicksand of going through old messages, stalking their social media, or trying to be around places where they frequent. It will reflect poorly on your character and affect your ability to move on and recover from this rejection.

8. Try to move on

You should always keep trying to move on. To begin with, you need to get over the person who rejected you and do so in a healthy, respectable way. Beyond that, you need to open yourself up to the potential of loving someone again and finding better luck in the future. Remember, when it comes to romance, rejection is a normal part of life, and very few people get it right the first time.

And if doing it on your own seems complicated, try seeking help the way blogger, Felix Opoku Ameyaw did when he found himself entangled in an unrequited love situation. He says, “My mind became a battlefield, consumed by self-doubt and insecurity. I questioned my worth, wondering what it was about me that rendered me undeserving of love. I obsessed over every flaw, every imperfection, convinced that they were the reasons she could not return my affections. I became a prisoner of my own thoughts, trapped in a maze of self-loathing. I sought refuge in therapy, where a compassionate soul guided me through the labyrinth of my emotions. They taught me that unrequited love was not a reflection of my worth, but a testament to the complexity of human connections. They helped me acknowledge my pain and allowed me to grieve the loss of a love that was never mine (i).”

Rejection is very much part and parcel of relationships. It may well happen again — it is something you need to accept right now. And keep in mind that you might end up rejecting people who like you as well!

While it can be discouraging or depressing, you need to move on and learn from every rejection. Because eventually, you will get it right with the right person. And any rejection you face along the way is nothing but a stepping stone that helps shape your personality for the better.

9. Work on emotional intelligence

Rejection in relationships can be used as an opportunity to enhance your emotional intelligence. By learning to process your emotions, you can better understand social cues and strengthen your interpersonal connections. Self-reflection, mindfulness, open conversations, and active listening can help you recognize and address personal shortcomings, leading to meaningful growth and better connections in future relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I ignore her to get her attention?

If you want to get a girl’s attention by ignoring her, you must first be friends with her or at least be in the same circle of friends. You can then try to establish a connection with her because ignoring or pull-back will only work if you already have a connection.

  • You could then suddenly stop responding to her texts or calls.
  • Be constantly busy.
  • Respond to her text late or only respond to some.

2. What makes a woman chase a man?

If a woman is really into you, she will want to be with you and crave your attention. When the attraction is strong, she will be enticed by someone who keeps the distance and plays hard to get.

3. Is it possible to turn a girl’s feelings around if she doesn’t like me?

It is possible but not guaranteed. Start by focusing on self-improvement, including your confidence, social skills, and understanding women’s perspectives. All this is key when learning how to attract a girl who doesn’t like you. Once you’ve made these efforts, allow her some breathing room and be patient. She might reciprocate if she notices the change in you and her feelings. However, if things remain the same, it is advisable to give up on her and make way for someone who will love and accept you the way you are.

If you have been battling with why doesn’t she like me back, when you feel that you have given everything to make her feel special, it could be possible that you are wasting your efforts in the wrong place. Understanding how to tell if someone doesn’t like you is crucial in such situations. It is essential to know that rejection may not be purely based on who you are or who you’ve become but on how the person perceives you, which is absolutely out of your control. Therefore, don’t take it too personally and avoid being hard on yourself, as you will find what you are looking for in the right place at the right time. Lastly, take your time to get back to your usual self and understand your emotions better.

Infographic: What To Do If She Doesn’t Like You?

She may not have interest and even dislike you if you often notice her being disinterested in long chats or in going out with you. In such a situation, you should accept her dislike and move forward for the better. Here is an infographic that details more tips on dealing with your feelings when a girl doesn’t like you.

dealing with your feelings when a girl dislikes you (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • Miscommunication can be a common reason you may think that she likes you, but she never means it.
  • Most women prefer men who confidently demonstrate their feelings, and your shyness can be the reason she is not showing interest in you.
  • Sometimes, women may misinterpret the man to have the wrong intention while expressing their interests.

Illustration: Why She Doesn’t Like Me: 21 Reasons And What To Do About It

why doesn't she like me_illustration

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team


Are you wondering if she likes you? Check out this video to learn the five signs she doesn’t like you! Get the answers you need to make sure you’re not wasting your time.

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Sharon Gilchrest O'Neill is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and family business consultant, who has earlier been a graduate instructor/advisor, an organizational learning consultant, and hospice volunteer. With around eight years of experience working in the private as well as corporate setting, Sharon helps her clients think creatively and build upon their strengths.

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Rohan was an HR analyst before transitioning into a freelance writer/ editor. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resources from Christ University, Bangalore, and previously worked as an analyst in Goldman Sachs.

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