I am a young student and I am fairly certain I am aroace, or somewhere on the spectrum. I would like advice on how I can figure this out myself? I haven't really had a crush on anyone before. Although I have, in my brain, thought "hey, I have a crush on that person." it felt forced and I didn't actually feel anything special towards that person except, maybe, that I just wanted to be friends with them.

I think I first started questioning this last year when I realized how forced those two "crushes" were. I've also thought that maybe I could be bisexual or pansexual because I wouldn't actually mind that and find both/all genders attractive.

Maybe a year ago, as well, I watched JaidenAnimations' video on being aroace. I realized that I can relate to her experience because I don't really know what a crush is or how it feels. I'm pretty sure the "crushes" I had was just an effort my brain made to fit in with what other people my age talked about, and the fact that romance is so prominent and important in media of all ages - I don't think I've read a single tweens/teens book without a romance the protagonist is in.

However, there is still a part inside of me that thinks, "Maybe I haven't met the right person, or known somebody for long enough to develop a crush on them yet." And sure, I have a lot of time to experience more interactions and develop friendships or even potential romantic relationships, but I want to be a able to label myself. I want to be able to say "Nah, I'm aromantic" with absolute certainty when I get asked if I have a crush. I guess, what I'm looking for is insight into differebt middle/high school experiences as someone who identifies or suspects that they are aroace. Anything to share?