It can be easy to feel self-conscious and stupid about telling a guy that you like him, especially if you feel embarrassed or worried that he may not feel the same. But once you can admit that you are interested in a guy, you can still feel good even if you have to tell yourself to be patient and keep a big pot of ice cream in front of you.

1. Think about what he would like to hear. If you are already talking to him on a daily basis, you can start by telling him that you are into him. Just be careful and don’t overdo it. Some guys can be a little obliging and not say anything at all, and then you’ll never hear from him again.
2. Before you say anything, consider what you really expect to hear from your man. If he said that he wanted to hear from you that you are totally committed to a relationship, that you want kids with him and really love him, then chances are, you will get a commitment from him too. If he said that he was looking for someone to just have fun with every weekend, not really wanting to get seriously involved, then chances are, you won’t hear from him again.
3. If you still hang out with him, let him know that you are interested in him. affirmation is better than confrontation so you can tell him you find him interesting and attractive. It may be a tried and true, safe way to proceed, but it can be easy to scare him off if you are still considered just a friend.
4. If you have done things together and enjoy doing them together, tell him that you find him stimulating company and that you wish you could spend more time with him. He probably has a lot of friends that he doesn’t talk to as often, and if you find someone that you have spent more time with than anyone else, you are closer to falling in love.
5. If you can spend all your time with him, without wondering when he will talk to you again, that is when you know he is interested in you. If you are wondering and obsessing about whether he will call you tomorrow, you are indeed falling in love.

If you find that you are having a lot of fun and enjoying each other’s company, he is most likely very interested in you. Try not to scare him off, but don’t try to be too obvious. It isn’t cruel to tell a guy that you like him, because if he does feel the same way, he will call you. So, relax and keep having a good time. Eventually he will be interested in falling in love with you too.

Not everyone has the patience of Mr. Perfect, so do not pressure him to profess his feelings, or profess his undying love. And it’s not OK to start calling him or texting him to ask where he is and what he is doing tomorrow. Actions speak louder than words, so let him set the pace. There is no need to rush things, but at the same time, you cannot short circuit everything if you aren’t.

When someone tells you that they aren’t ready for a relationship, you need to respect that. If you are ready for Mr. Wonderful, he will most definitely be willing to wait for you to grow closer in your relationship. Take your time and be patient, if it means too much for you to wait.