When someone is consistently available, responsive, and enthusiastic — it feels real. But ask yourself: do you like this person, or do you like the way they make you feel about yourself?
Liking their attention: the signs.
You care more about how often they message than what they say. You feel anxious when they're quiet, not because you miss them, but because the validation stopped.
Liking them: the signs.
You think about specific things they said, not just that they said them. You're interested in their life, their ideas, their perspective — independently of whether they're focused on you.
Why it matters.
Attention-seeking creates an unequal dynamic where the other person's worth to you is entirely tied to how they make you feel. That's not sustainable, and it's not fair to them.
The connection worth having is built on both.
The right conversation isn't just someone validating you. It's two people genuinely curious about each other. If one side disappears when the flattery stops — that's your answer.