We believe that communication is key to building good relationships with our partners, family members, and friends.
It is also the easiest way to show our presence in people’s lives, especially those we love and care about.
Unfortunately, it is somehow challenging to maintain constant communication with those we value, considering how time- and effort-demanding it is.
But, does this mean that even replying to text requires effort?
Texting is among the efficient ways to communicate.
Ideally, texting does not need more thinking or time, unless you are talking about sensitive issues that require factual texts.
While it seems a simple act of responding to questions or ideas, it also reveals your position in someone’s life by how long they take to text back.
Therefore, if you always find yourself waiting for too long before they text back, here is what to know about the “too busy to text back” excuse.
How Long Is Too Long To Text Back?
Texting or responding to texts is a multifaceted topic that even relationship experts cannot explain.
As simple as it may look, chatting is a personal perspective such that how long someone takes to respond to texts depends on their mood, schedule, message, and relationship.
For instance, according to Diane Gottsman, the significance of the text determines if someone will respond or not.
So, does this mean they should take long to or not text back altogether?
While there is no timeframe on how long someone should take to reply to texts, it is wise to respond within a day.
Though, the period can extend to 48hrs or even 72hrs due to various factors such as not seeing the message, being too busy, or gathering factual information to text back.
If they do not text back immediately, at least they should include an apologetic message about why they did not respond on time.
However, this applies only to corporate, family, and general texting, which involves time-sensitive chatting.
Regarding romantic relationships, chatting is a good way to enhance strong bonds, especially for long-distance lovers.
That means while someone may be preoccupied with a busy schedule, at least they should create time to keep in touch.
This involves responding to texts and wishing their loved ones good moments.
Therefore, no matter how busy they are, they should get time to text back.
Why Is Too Busy Not an Excuse
While circumstances may cause them to take too long or never respond to your texts, sometimes they make it a habit to ignore them depending on how they feel about you.
In such scenarios, they will always claim they are too busy to text back, which leaves you doubting your position in their lives.
However, here are some reasons why you should never accept the excuse and withdraw yourself.
1. No one is too busy to check their phones
In this digital era where phones control almost everything, no one can say they are too busy to check their phone.
Even those in demanding professions like healthcare, machinery handling, and mining get time to talk to their families, and being preoccupied is never their excuse.
That means, no matter how busy they are, they will always find time for people that matter in their lives.
And this involves responding to texts and calls, even if it means for a few seconds.
This alleviates work burnout and feelings of isolation while cultivating the relationship.
2. The power of modern technology
With thousands of messaging applications on Android, iOS, and Windows devices, it is almost impossible for your partner to claim they have been too busy to text back.
Unless they are on top-secret missions that require them not to communicate with anyone, they will always spare a few seconds to check their social accounts and respond to messages.
For instance, during daily breaks, they can check their Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Viber, or Instagram accounts.
That means, unless you are not important to them, they will make an effort to check on you and have no excuse for not seeing or responding to your texts.
3. Someone who values you values your time and effort
The bitter truth is that someone who values you will always respect your time and effort to check and text them.
On the flip side, those who do not value your effort, love, and time will always have excuses for not texting.
To some extent, they make you look desperate and a nuisance for always texting them.
If you start getting a “too busy” excuse from your partner, it is a perfect time to step back or even break the relationship.
Of course, people change over time, and that close relationship will slowly weaken as time passes.
However, this should never be a reason for you to become desperate and plead for attention.
If you start feeling less important to them, it is recommended you give your time and effort to those who value them.
What It Means When They Say They Are Too Busy To Text Back
Waiting for someone you value to text back for too long can be a painful experience.
However, it teaches you two life lessons that you should always remember in your next interaction; respect and patience.
For instance, while you may be filled with anger and suspicion why they ignored your text, you learn to respect your time, their privacy, and boundaries.
You may also convince yourself that they are too busy to text back and train to be patient and wait for their response.
But what exactly does it mean when they say they are too busy? Here are a few insights.
- They are not interested in the relationship or communication. Not interested is the most common meaning, and happens when someone starts to be distant. Although some people open up, others settle for silence and ignorance.
- They are truly too busy. Some people are also honest when they say they are too busy to text back. They might be caught up with work or their needs and miss your text.
- They dislike your text bombs. Maybe your texts are cluttering their inbox or keep their phone beeping, and they decided to silence it or ignore them altogether.
- They do not want to look always available. While they may be interested in you, they do not want to look demanding and are always available to text back. Some people like it when you are more interested in the relationship than them.
- They are not good at texting. Some people are naturally bad at or uncomfortable with virtual communication. Such people will always use their busy excuses to avoid texting back. Though, they should tell you about their virtual communication skills at the initial dating stage to avoid creating room for suspicion.
Final Thoughts
A successful relationship is built only if both parties are willing to invest their time and effort in it.
That means both partners should balance their work schedules and love, and create time to bond with each other.
Therefore, while it is possible to be preoccupied with handling demanding projects and personal issues, being too busy should never be an excuse for not responding to texts.
