If He Hasn’t Texted You, It Might Actually Mean He Really Likes You

Ever wondered why some guys won’t just effing text back? It takes five seconds and you know he’s on his phone. He seems interested in person but can’t send a text to save his life. What gives? Don’t freak out. Sometimes, it’s actually a good thing. He may have a valid excuse for going radio silent and his lack of communication can actually end up being a good thing for your relationship. Here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t give up hope for him just yet when he hasn’t texted you back all day.

1. Sometimes no news is good news.

If he hasn’t texted you, you can assume that he’s exactly where he was when you last talked. If he was kissing you or telling you how amazing you are, that’s probably what he’s still thinking. Guys are pretty simple in many ways. Just accept that his behavior around you the last time you were together is probably where he still is emotionally, no matter how many transformations your emotions have gone through since then. Men just aren’t as complicated.

2. He might just be processing.

Seriously, maybe his night with you or the time you spent together was so mind-blowing that he needs to take a second to take it all in. He might have to get a little introspective, figure out what actually happened to him. The most important thing is to not underestimate yourself. You’re hot and you made an impression. You can trust that for a little while and wait for him to reach out when he’s ready.

3. He thinks he screwed it up and lost his chance.

You know how you tend to go over everything you said on a date and find every tiny problem with it? Well, guys do this too sometimes, and it’s quite possible he thinks he made some huge, irrevocable mistake during your date from which he can’t recover. So maybe you should reach out. You never know what’s going on in someone’s head until you ask. Just because the guy hasn’t texted you doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to. He might just be a respectful man who doesn’t want to cross your boundaries.

4. Some things speak for themselves.

Guys are often less communicative than girls, and sometimes, after a really good night, they just assume everything speaks for itself. For him, texting you to say, “Wow, last night was amazing!” might feel kind of obvious and unnecessary. He’s probably just waiting until he can ask you out again without seeming too eager.

5. He’s reached the point where he feels comfortable leaving some space.

Some of us want 24/7 communication. Like, constant interaction. Like, here’s what I had for breakfast and this is how I brush my hair and by the way I think I’m in love with you, etc. But some people show their level of comfort with a person by not being talkative all the time. If he’s naturally a pretty reserved person, it’s actually quite a compliment that he feels comfortable enough with your relationship to let talking fall away for a little while.

6. He’s playing games but only because he really likes you.

As much as the cliché goes that women are the ones who like being pursued, there are plenty of fish in the sea who like a little chasing as well. This isn’t to say that you should be expected to chase after him, it’s just a reminder that some men don’t fit all the stereotypes we have of them. He might be playing hard to get, which might be what you’re doing. At some point, one of you will have to put you both out of your misery. Just because a guy hasn’t texted you doesn’t mean you can’t text him.

7. He’s playing it cool.

It’s quite possible that he was so impressed by you that he’s a little nervous about reaching out. You’re just cool and he can’t quite believe you’re into him, so he has to pretend he’s not all that interested so he won’t come across as overeager. Guys get nervous about how they’re perceived too, especially when it comes to a girl they’re really into. Maybe he literally hasn’t texted you back because he’s freaking out inside.

8. He’s gotten bad advice.

Friends are the most important people in your life, but sometimes they give… not-so-helpful advice. If he still hasn’t texted you after a few days, it’s quite possible that one of his friends told him that all women like to play hard to get and that he shouldn’t fall for it by texting you. For all you know, his friends have confiscated his phone because he’s been so desperate to text you.

9. He’s doing exactly what you’re doing.

Maybe this guy hasn’t texted you because you haven’t texted him. Yep. He could absolutely be sitting at home right now staring at his phone, sending out some telepathic communication to get you to text him. Guys do this too. We all have our pride and our insecurity. Also, it’s totally OK to be the one who reaches out first. Girls with initiative are hot and usually get their way.

10. The simple explanation: He might actually just be busy.

This does happen sometimes, and can actually be a very legitimate excuse. If you aren’t in a serious relationship, don’t expect to be his number one priority. No matter how into you he is, he might just have a really busy job and be terrible at texting. If this continues to happen though, it’s time to put your foot down. At a certain point, he isn’t busy, he just doesn’t respect you enough. So play it by ear.

When a guy hasn’t texted you, it can be infuriating, confusing, annoying, and kind of depressing. However, it’s important to remember that there could be a totally valid explanation for it that could allay any of your fears about him not liking you or not wanting to be around you. Try to be patient and stay calm before reacting. Easier said than done, of course.

Rose Nolan is a writer and editor from Austin, TX who focuses on all things female and fabulous. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from the University of Surrey and a Master's Degree in Law from the University of Law. She’s been writing professional since 2015 and, in addition to her work for Bolde, she’s also written for Ranker and Mashed. She's published articles on topics ranging from travel, higher education, women's lifestyle, law, food, celebrities, and more.
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