Before you get paranoid and brokenhearted, you must confirm this issue’s truth first. What if they did not purposely ignore your messages? Or what if they are upset with you about something and just need time to be okay?
To help you sort out your thoughts about the problem, check out some possible reasons why someone sees your message but doesn’t reply.
What Could It Mean
1. Probably Busy
The person is probably too busy that they have no time to reply to messages anymore. They could be trying to beat some deadlines at work and are currently stressed. If this is the case, it means they did not intentionally overlook your message.
2. Not Interested in Talking to You
Sorry to burst your bubble, but it is also possible that this individual is not really interested in chatting with you. On the other hand, maybe they can sense your attraction and do not want you to misinterpret your friendliness. That is why, to help you move on, they decide to stop responding to your messages.
3. Mad at You
What if this person is upset with you about something? This could be the reason why they do not reply to your messages. They want you to be aware that you have done something wrong, and they are not taking it lightly. So, do you remember any recent conflict or misunderstanding between the two of you?
4. Forgets to Reply
It is also possible that this person only forgot to respond to your message. Maybe they had seen your message and planned to reply to it in a while, but due to busyness, they completely forgot about it. You better give them the benefit of the doubt before accusing them of being snobs.
5. Does Not Know What to Respond
Or it could be because of your message itself. It could be something that they cannot quickly answer, so they need more time to think about it. They probably just want to be careful with their response to avoid misunderstanding. For instance, if you had asked them if they like you too and did not respond, maybe they are still hesitant to answer. It is either they do not want to hurt you, or they want to be sure of how they really feel toward you.
6. Needs Space
Another possible reason why you did not get a response is the recipient’s need for space. They are probably going through something and do not wish to speak to anyone. Instead of feeling bad immediately, be patient with them. Maybe they will contact you once they are feeling better.
7. Not Feeling Well
If not emotionally struggling, it could be a physical issue. Maybe the other person is sick, so they cannot respond to messages yet. Just way for a few more days to see how they are doing.
8. Technical Problem
Technical issues could also be the culprit to your concern. One probable reason that individual could not reply to your message is a slow Wi-Fi connection or signal reception. Or their gadget has probably run out of battery or got broken.
9. Hopes You Stop Reaching Out
In connection to no. 2, the person may intentionally ignore you to make you feel bad. If they have already expressed that they are not into you and you keep messaging them, this could be another way to convince you to stop. The person hopes you will give up on them soon.
10. Playing Hard-to-Get
Or it is possible that this person only wants you to exert more effort in pursuing them. Maybe they think you are not really serious with them, so they want to test your intentions. Of course, if you really like the person, you will not stop checking on them just because they ignore your messages.
11. Has Not Really Read Your Message
It is also possible that the person was not really able to read your message. Maybe, it was accidentally opened when they were busy, and they did not see it. For this reason, they were not able to reply to it anymore.
How to Deal with It
Instead of being a pessimist, why not do something about the situation? Who knows? If you clearly communicate with the person, your confusion will be over. You will know the exact reason why you did not get a reply.
You can do the following:
1. Give Space.
If you think this person does not wish to be contacted now, do not insist on your presence. Instead, give them enough time before trying to communicate with them again. If they still refuse to respond to your messages, consider it a sign to respect their personal space.
2. Try to Message Them Again After Some Time.
As stated in no. 1, you better try texting or chatting with the person again after a while. It can be after a few days or even weeks. As others say, allow them to miss you sometimes. If they still ignore your messages, it becomes clear that they are upset about something. Oops, do not lose hope yet. What if they finally respond?
3. Try to Call Them.
You can also try to call them (just make sure you do it outside work hours). If they do not pick up the phone after several attempts or at least return the call, it is a hint that they do not want to talk to you.
4. Talk to Them in Person.
If possible, you can also try to see them in person. If you go to the same office or live in the same neighborhood, you can drop by and try to say “hi”. If this person seems happy to see you, rest assured that your unreplied message is just a misunderstanding. You better stop making a big deal out of it.
5. Apologize for Hurting Them in Any Way.
If you sense that they are angry at you about something, you better open up. Humble yourself and say “sorry”. If you have an idea what it is all about, sincerely apologize for it. You can also try to ask them, so the issue will be clearer to you. It is better to confront the problem head-on than pretend that you have done nothing wrong.
6. Be Cool About It.
Never ever make it obvious that you are deeply affected by the unreplied messages. Pestering the person over it will only make you look pathetic. When it happens, there is a big chance they will completely stay away from you. Do not give them a reason to be turned off.
7. Avoid Overthinking.
While you are yet to confirm the actual reason for not getting a reply, stop overthinking. Divert your attention to more productive things to avoid getting stressed. Just chill and wait for the answer to your questions.
Relax
When someone sees your message but doesn’t reply, there could be different reasons for it. Do not jump to a negative conclusion immediately. It is best if you are patient to know the answer. As they say, “good things come to those who wait.”
Cyril Abello