So, have you ever had a time where you’ve sent an important message yet the person doesn’t respond? Have you ever wondered what the heck is going in their lives to result in your complete negligence?

Well, of course you have! I’m betting that, whether it be a text message to a best friend, a confession to a crush, or even an email to a college interviewer, it’s probably happened on more than one occasion.

But, fear not! I’m here to tell you that all of us (yes, that includes me, the Asian robot in the corner with no emotions) do, in fact, experience these feelings and thoughts listed below when someone doesn’t respond.

Now, even though this does happen from time to time, have you consciously realized what thoughts go through your brain during this time?

I didn’t think so.

So buckle up as I’m about to bring you on a journey on the play by plays of our minds when someone doesn’t respond and hopefully, by the end of this, you’ll get hope (or despair) behind the possibilities in their mysterious disappearance.

So, get comfy and just imagine that you’ve just sent a message. And then…

3 seconds later, they didn’t respond. RUH. ROH. Your world is gonna end. They’ve blocked you and there’s literally no saving it now. They’re just go-

Just kidding. Calm down a bit as clearly I’m the only overthinker allowed to be here (*cough* go read my old blog if you haven’t *cough*) and get yourself a cup of water. They’re probably just typing a response if you were having a conversation and, most likely, probably they just didn’t see your message yet.

1 minute later, there are now three possible paths. If you were having a really fast-paced conversation (like both of you were responding to each other quickly), then this could start to be a sign of worry. But honestly though, they probably just ran to the bathroom or had their Chromebook snap in half (at all my fellow hangout users out there).

Then, also for the second and third scenario, if you responded to a message after like two hours or at like 4am, don’t be surprised. Who the heck is on their phones 24/7. Even me, someone who never sleeps enough on any night, I won’t respond that soon or that late. My body here needs my concentration to do some homework and get some of that beauty sleep too, yanno.

30 minutes later, this is when it begins to go dark, fast. If you were having a conversation, now is the point where you consider it dead. There’s no saving it now. If you just confessed in the middle of the conversation and they didn’t respond? Welp… I’m sorry to say but you know what just happened there. 

But, if your situation still lies in the second or third scenario I described above, just chill and probably just go to sleep. This’ll remain true up to the 6 hour section.

2 hours later, now you’re truly hit the d in bad. You were just having a rocker conversation? Welp, notice here where you’ll start to pull the big three. 1) did I do something wrong? 2) did I say something to offend them? and 3) did something happen? This is also when you’ll start rereading your texts and then also possibly begin to start considering the extremity of maybe (please take note of the delicate thought required during this stage) apologizing or sending a double text.

However, from personal experience. I do not recommend sending a double this soon as the probability of external factors is still over a tolerable and probable threshold. If you do decide to, be warned as you may be labeled as “needy” or “impatient”.

6 hours later, this is when you truly know you dun goofed somewhere. If you’re panicking now, good. You should be. Start rereading your texts and prepare an apology or a double text. You might’ve gotten buried (I don’t know how you do it you extroverted people out there manage to talk to more than 3 people at once) or maybe apologize for an aggressive joke you just said. If you really need a response / want to talk with them. It’s now or never.

24 hours later, you’ve hit the end. There’s no difference going past this point (as long as it’s not an email). If someone, especially your “friend” (and this point, who knows if they still are) didn’t respond for 24 hours, chances are you’re probably getting ignored or ghosted. Either figure out what you did wrong or just accept your reality and carry on your merry way.

Or, if you really overthink, you could be like me and traverse these 24 hour feelings in a course of 4 hours when I’m really bored, want someone to talk to, and or in a very overthinking mood.

But now, in all seriousness, just chill and don’t worry about it too much (especially with emails). For some reason, emailing is a whole nother beast which we won’t touch upon in this blog and please just enjoy the social process. It’s literally second semester senior year and literally, just be a confident individual and hold your head up high. And, most importantly, always ready to respond on a moments notice so you’ll possibly not cause this pain to your fellow classmates and friends here :)