Everyone is already very familiar with Fear of Texting First. A classic in any era, but probably more applicable these days. You know when you just meet someone because you were perusing the library stacks on your lunch break and you both reached for the same copy of “Who Goes To Libraries?”, swap numbers, and vow to never forget each other after summer camp? Well this Fear is pretty much the exact opposite. Instead of the whole “should I? Shouldn’t I?”-type thing, Fear of Forgetting to Text Back is more so “did I? Wait…I did, right?”. Which is different. It’s definitely, definitely different.
Double-Checking Your Fear of Forgetting to Text Back
Has this ever happened to you? You’ve just delivered the most mind-blowing anecdote via text message anyone has ever sent and you’re just eagerly awaiting all of the praise in the world for your Herculean efforts by way of a text reply. You wait. And wait. A seemingly endless amount of seconds has passed by, your attention span dissolved into nothingness and has turned into scrolling through your favourite Social Media page for any sort of digital acknowledgment from someone, anyone. Now everything is just cold and dark. I’m referring to your phone screen. It’s been so long since you’ve had reason to interact with it, the screen has turned black. Now what? Why didn’t they reply? Why don’t they care? Did th- oh no wait, you didn’t hit “send”. You realize the last message was from your virtual crush saying “do you know any mind-blowing anecdotes?”.
The only thing worse than that completely relatable example is when you think you’ve texted someone back, they think you’re actively ignoring them, you think they’re ignoring you, and you don’t talk for 6 years because of it. It happens more often than you think. People just don’t really talk about it. It’s like when you take the same route to work everyday. You know what time the bus will arrive. It’s always the same people, sitting in the same seats. Enough time has passed by where you should be comfortable talking to all of those familiar faces. So when someone starts to look a little different, you want to make a comment. But then you don’t know whether or not the bus driver is pregnant so you just completely avoid eye contact with him instead. It’s just awkward for everyone.
Message Read: Fear of Forgetting to Text Back
At least with Fear of Texting First, a message wanted to be sent but anxiety overruled that happening. In this case, a text message was likely sent, read, reacted to, and every intention in the world suggested a response was imminent. It just didn’t work out. I’d give another analogy here but I used up all the good ones already. Fear of Forgetting to Text Back isn’t necessarily limited to just text messages. It can also extend to things like accidentally deleted voicemails, email drafts stuck in your inbox, or hearing the doorbell ring and not doing anything about it. There a million ways you can completely forget to be a decent human being! I know what you’re thinking and yes, this section of the post is meant to be insightful and positive, not create more Fear. And yet, here we are.
You know what else is bad? Hitting “Reply All” by mistake. Should that be the next post topic?
