They want to give you a longer response but can’t right now. They put their phone away to focus on work or school. They accidentally forgot to reply. Maybe they thought about what they wanted to say but didn’t actually text it.
If they just have one recent text from you, they’ll be able to respond more easily once they have time.
You told them you’d love to see them again. They might just think you two will make plans sometime soon. They mentioned they’re traveling and you said you’d like to catch up when they come back. They might think you’d rather talk in person. You asked them a thoughtful question. They might think you want them to spend more time coming up with an answer.
Decide if their explanations feel valid. For example, maybe they recently mentioned that work or school has been super stressful for them lately. You can also set some limits and boundaries. For instance, if they constantly hit you up at random times, remind yourself, “Their patterns make it obvious that I need someone who’s consistent in my life. ” Ask your friends if they’ve noticed any patterns, too. They might have picked up on something you missed.
“The emotion that comes up for me is anxiousness, and it feels like a knot in my stomach. ” “The reason I’m worried when I’m left on ‘read’ is that I think that my message doesn’t matter to them. ” “I’m not sure how close we are. I would feel better about our connection if I knew they valued what I have to say. ”
Try catching up with friends with apps on your tablet or a laptop. Studies show that your problem-solving skills improve if your phone can’t distract you, so take on a challenging new task!
Studies show that many people spend over 10 hours on devices per day. You’ll cut down on all that screen time if you get outdoors. Research has found that “green spaces,” like forests and parks, will lift your mood, so head anywhere with lots of trees and flowers! Bring a journal and some art supplies with you—you can write about what inspires or moves you, like seeing a hummingbird fly over wildflowers.
Instead of reading texts, look up videos of new exercise routines. Visit a VR arcade to dive into some video games and get active at the same time. [12] X Research source Activity also releases endorphins, chemicals that lift your mood and help you forget anything you’re worried about.
Throw a party or go to a small get-together and turn off the notifications on your phone. Join a meetup group geared toward a hobby, like hiking. You’ll be able to bond with others over a common interest. Attend a community event or a volunteer program. You’ll get in touch with kind and compassionate people. Explore a new interest, such as cooking or dancing. You’ll be able to practice with others—some might be able to show you a thing or two!
If you like sci-fi or fantasy, stories about heroism can feel really empowering and make you think about what you want to accomplish. Self-help books are also great because you’ll think a lot about personal growth and development. Some psychologists call reading “bibliotherapy” because it calms you down no matter what you’re going through.
You may feel more reassured since there will definitely be some questions answered by the end of the show. Research shows that binge-watching can “transport” you to a “narrative,” which means you’ll forget about your own life and focus on what’s happening on screen. Studies also suggest an interesting show can lift your mood and replace negative emotions, like nervousness, with positive ones, like happiness.
They still might get back to you, and that’s totally fine! If they reply after 3 days, check in with yourself and see if you actually want to talk to them. If they never respond, don’t take it personally. Remind yourself that they saved you time—now you’ve learned that your communication patterns just don’t match up.
“I’m a ton of fun to be around. My friends say I’m a blast and tell the greatest jokes—who am I to argue with them?” “I have a huge heart. I love supporting others and making sure they feel seen. ” “I’m a thoughtful person. I always want to know what’s on someone’s mind and how I can help. ”
