High school can be really stressful -- to say the least. Our weekly "Hey, It's OK!" series is here to remind you of all things you SHOULDN'T be worried about, no matter who tells you otherwise!
Of all the zones you might find yourself in -- comfort zone, free WiFi zone, pedestrian zone -- getting stuck in the dreaded friend zone is undeniably the most frustrating. It's the unfortunate occurence of developing a crush on or falling in love with your friend, only to confess your feelings and find out that they see you as nothing more than a friend.
As Taylor Swift lamented in her 2009 hit, it can be pretty heartbreaking when your friend just can't see that they belong with you (even though you may have known it for years). If you're agonizing over the fact that your crush is "just a friend," scroll through the list below for four reasons it's not so bad to be stuck in the friend zone.
1. It Happens To The Best Of Us.
Even the most charming and attractive ladies and fellows among us are not immune to the friend zone trap. The term "friend zone" was recently added to the Oxford English Dictionaries Online, so yes, it's official: Getting friendzoned is a near-universal experience.
Some of greatest poems, novels and songs ever written are about the anguish of unrequited love. That doesn't make it any less painful, but there is something consoling to knowing that you're not the only one. Still feeling crummy? Indulge your heartbreak in these 16 songs about the friendzone or hilarious friendzone photos from HuffPost Comedy.
2. You Can Be Proud That You Put Yourself Out There.
Presumably, if you've landed in the friend zone, it's because you've told your buddy how you feel and they failed to express any reciprocal feelings. But before you continue lamenting how unfortunate this chain of events is, take a moment to appreciate the fact that you had the courage to speak your mind and go after what you want. Not everyone can do that, and you should be proud of the confidence that you displayed in telling your friend how you feel.
Rejection is no fun, and we all have to face it at some point (or many) in our lives. But what's far worse than being rejected is being so afraid of any sort of failure or negative response that you never act on your feelings.
3. It's Not You, It's Them.
We know, we know. You're scoffing and rolling your eyes right now. But seriously, having your crush fail to match your interest doesn't mean that you're not worthy of an awesome relationship. Clearly, this person likes you -- they are your friend, after all -- but being a right fit with someone romantically involves so many different factors, many of which you have no control over. Don't get too down on yourself: Your friend not liking you romantically right now (or not wanting a relationship, period) doesn't equate to you being unlikable.
Plus, as much as it hurts, you'll come out on the other side stronger and with a better knowledge of what you want and need in a relationship.
4. It IS Possible To Get Out Of The Friendzone.
Ever seen "Kim Possible"? Or "Harry Potter"? By being loyal friends, both Ron Stoppable and Ron Weasley eventually turn their girl friends into girlfriends. The key is to getting out of the friend zone painlessly is sticking around, but NOT with the expectation that they'll change their mind. Stick around because you care about your friend and you'll end up with a good outcome, whether it's just a friend or something more (this is possible even if your name isn't Ron).
5. You Can Enjoy The Friendship For What It Is.
The expression "just friends" may imply that friendship alone is deficient in some way, but that couldn't be further from the truth. At the end of the day, friendship is what really lasts and what's most important in your life. So look on the bright side: You have a friend that's so awesome that you developed a crush on them. And especially when it comes to romantic dilemmas and heartbreaks, you'll get by with a little help from your friends.
Tell us: Have you ever been friendzoned? How did you move on? Share your thoughts in the comments or tweet @HuffPostTeen!