While love triangles might be pervasive on television, most of us have a hard enough time finding even one person to likes us back.

We've all been there. ("There" being the giving side of a one-way love connection.) Suffice it to say—"there" certifiably sucks. One always winds up feeling like the biggest loser and analyzing themselves to an unhealthy degree. The stages of unrequited love closely mirror that of grief. Most likely, one begins in denial and ends with acceptance. If you're struggling to cope with a crush that's not being returned, know this: you're not alone. Here are some things you might feel between wherever you are now and acceptance:

1. Wanting to win over the object of affection (OOA).

The desire to win your crush over with your charming wit and a box of chocolates (even after they've shown they're not interested) is a hard one to suppress.

2. Getting OOA to love you by sheer force of will.

Afraid this one's not going to work either. Love is freedom. If Jim Carrey can't will someone to love him (as God), you're fresh out of luck.

3. Complete and utter disinterest in living.

People will accuse you of being dramatic, and you are, but life can seem a bit empty without the one your heart desires. The important thing to remember is: you will love again. If fact, you might take this opportunity to reinvest in life (rather than use it as a reason to "check out").

4. Adopting an unflattering view of love in general.

OOA doesn't return your feelings so now love is repulsive to you? (Refer to #3.)

5. Feeling pathetic/lousy/stupid.

You're not.

6. Thinking about OOA all the time.

Nothing captivates the mind like something it can't have. Instead, try thinking of ways to improve your own life. Take some time to get in touch with yourself and what makes you excited (besides OOA).

7. Deciding you don't love OOA after all.

This, kids, is what we call denial. (Although, you might want to think about the fact that love does not require reciprocation. Thus, if you're able to cease loving them instantaneously, it's possible you never really loved them at all.)

8. Needing OOA to validate your sense of self-worth.

Ultimately, rejection stings as bad as it does because it reinforces every negative thought we've ever had about ourselves. Often, we wish for someone to want us out of a desire to affirm our own self-esteem. In order to alleviate the pain of rejection, we must separate our sense of self-worth from someone else's acceptance.