Article: Offer to do things with your friend more often and change the nature of your time together. Rather than interacting like casual friends the way you always have, show more of an interest in them, mentally and physically. Getting out of the friend zone is often as simple as shifting the way your friend views you and your dynamic together. The more time you spend one-on-one, the more of your true feelings you'll be able to show them. A good way to get more face time with the person you're interested in is to single them out. The next time you're hanging out with your friends, engage him or her in a private one-on-one conversation, or diverge from the group so that just the two of you can do some activity together. Invite your friend to do things you know they enjoy, like attending a concert, going on a hike or playing a sport together. Don't expect a lengthy friendship to turn into a passionate romance overnight. Give the other person time to relax and update their perspective. Go on a few casual non-dates at first, then ask for a more formal date when the time is right. Let your gestures gradually become more flirty and playful, and escalate to more obvious affection later on. If you push too much right away, you might just end up scaring them off. It can be hard to find a good way to start flirting that isn't awkward. Try paying the friend you're interested in genuine compliments from time to time, dropping hints about the things you like about their appearance and personality. Eventually, they'll begin to see your comments in a new light. Learn to interpret your friend's behavior. If they respond well to lighthearted flirting, it could be a good sign. If they tend to shut down or change the subject when you show affection, then they probably aren't interested in you in that way, and it's time to find a new crush. If there is someone else who you also like, then you might consider pursuing this person instead. Doing this may give you a chance to process your feelings about a friend while also allowing you to have a romantic relationship. Try to identify someone who is not a friend and who you think might be a good match for you. Look for someone who shares your interests and someone to whom you are genuinely attracted. Don't pretend to like someone else just to make your friend jealous. If you do start showing an interest in someone else, make sure that it is authentic. Keep in mind that if your friend is interested in you, then your new relationship might cause them to act jealous. Just make sure that this is not your goal in pursuing someone else. Small, physical gestures are a building block of deeper intimacy. Try being more hands-on with your interest. Grab his arm suddenly while telling an exciting story, or place your hand on the small of her back when she's walking through the door ahead of you. This kind of subtle contact can awaken arousing feelings in your interest and may create a desire for more. Increase physical contact with your friend slowly, and be respectful. See if they respond positively. Not everyone likes being touched, and you may end up sending the wrong message if you act presumptuously or put your hands somewhere they shouldn't be. Stop right away, and consider apologizing, if you accidentally make them uncomfortable. One of the major differences between friends and lovers is that lovers tend to touch each other in more flirtatious, suggestive ways. When you introduce a more intimate level of contact with your friend, it will naturally influence the way they view you and your relationship. Whether you've grown tired of biding your time or you're just not one to beat around the bush, you may prefer to announce your feelings directly to your friend. This isn't always a bad idea. Find a time when you can sit down with your friend one-on-one and talk things out. Be heartfelt as you explain yourself, but try not to make them feel uncomfortable. Let them know that you don't expect them to change the nature of your friendship, but that you had to get your feelings off your chest. Getting it out in the open will put to rest any doubt in their mind, and give you a clear answer about whether or not there's a chance of being together as something more than friends. Try saying something like, "I'm nervous about telling you this but I feel..." or "We've spent so much time together and I like being around you. I have feelings for you and ..." Your friend might be experiencing a similar dilemma but be hesitant to act on it because they don't sense that you're interested. If you can work up the nerve to be honest, you have a better chance of receiving a straightforward answer, which can save you from having to agonize about the situation for weeks and weeks.

What is a summary?
Spend more time with your friend. Start small and work your way up. Pursue someone else for a while, if you'd like. Break the touch barrier. Be upfront about your feelings.