The 21st century is full of guys and girls pulling “texting tricks” and attempting to make each other wonder about everything. “Is he interested?” That is the million-dollar question. Is he? There will always be a part of the mind that questions every little thing that we do, but there is no way of actually knowing unless you ask! Why do we force ourselves to overthink what we send or overthink their responses? Now that might be the real million-dollar question.

I’m sure everyone has experienced the “read and didn’t reply” concept of texting, whether it was with the cute boy from the party or your own parents. Everyone is faced with it at some point and it makes you ask: “what did I say/do wrong?” The answer to that is, nothing. Unless you really came out strong and sent a hundred messages in a row, chances are you did not say/do anything wrong; you just spoke your mind (or your friends mind if they were helping you compose a message).

Either way, what I am learning to accept myself, is that you cannot blame yourself for having feelings or telling that person what exactly is on your mind. You shouldn’t feel ashamed for trying to let the guy in by telling him straight up what’s on your mind. Ultimately, all of this reading and not replying is just one big game that people play with one another. Sadly, overthinking is just part of the game now. Don’t think by saying, “I had a really great time tonight” you’re being too eager. If you had a really great time, you’d think he would want to know that and if not, it’s on him to say what he’s feeling.

Guys, we could use some reassurance too every once in a while. So stop worrying about those unwritten rules that claim you aren’t allowed to text him first, or you shouldn’t respond too quickly. Honestly, there are so many unwritten rules that girls expect themselves to follow, that they’re impossible to keep track of anyways. You have every right to text him first and respond as fast as you want. If the fact that you are showing interest freaks him out, then he should not have given you his number in the first place. He wants you to play hard to get? Then the next cute boy you see at a party, give him half your number and make him guess the rest of the numbers… see how much he likes the “playing hard to get” game now.

All in all, you should not feel belittled by any guy and if you do, go find yourself someone who doesn’t get freaked out if you respond quickly or speak what’s on your mind, because you deserve it. From now on, let the words flow ladies and let that jerk of a guy read your messages and not reply. It’s totally his loss.