Gone are the days when love letters took days, even weeks, to arrive. Silence between two people meant patience, not panic. In the modern era, you aren’t waiting for a love letter, but for that blue tick on your WhatsApp.
How many of you have stayed glued to your phone just to see whether your messages have been seen or not? Communicating why a text is a faster way to reach out, but is it so? What happens when you are left on read? Nothing unsettles the heart quite like two blue ticks.
We measure our worth in minutes, not feelings.
Letters, waiting for that one phone call, eager to wait for your loved one, seem to have taken a backseat as now all these things seem to have been replaced by that one blue tick that makes your heart flutter. Be it a fight, a minor disagreement, or a simple agreement on what you want your partner to do for you, a blue tick is enough to lift your spirits, as well as be a matter of disappointment or miscommunication.
While social media has truly transcended the way we express our emotions and feelings, at the same time, it can be a matter of stress as well. Haven’t we all gone through a phase where we have poured our hearts out and can’t wait for what the other person has to say? Whether it’s a yes or a no, all we get is silence from the other end. Those miserable hours where all you can think of is why aren’t they replying? That moment where you are anxious, or you try to reassure yourself that your loved one is caught up with something and hasn’t yet found the time to revert.
The worst scenario is when the read receipts are off, and you can’t decipher whether the person on the other end has seen your message or not. This makes you think of all the worst-case scenarios, especially if you are unable to see the double tick; you might think that you are blocked. For many women, this silence hits deeper than we admit. We don’t just wait for a reply – we wait for reassurance, validation, clarity. We replay the message we sent.
We start thinking, did I sound too desperate, vulnerable, or should I not have responded so fast? We start refreshing our chats like stock prices, to check what’s in there for us. Even the most confident woman can spiral into a state of self-doubt and self-blame. We live in a society where women already question their desirability, relevance, and timing in love.
Blue ticks quietly amplify those insecurities.
So what must we do, keep on waiting, or move ahead? If you are in a situation where you have been left on read, pause before blaming yourself. Don’t send another text to fix the silence. Just because you didn’t receive a reply, don’t assume your self-worth. Stop rewriting your message in your head a hundred times. Instead, you should understand that someone genuinely interested will make the effort to respond – even if it’s late, even if it’s brief.
Afterall, consistency is not too much to ask for. It is the bare minimum. So it is time to put your phone down. Go back to your life, your work, your friends, and your dreams. Walking away from someone who doesn’t value you is choosing yourself. Also, if it’s destined to be, your feelings will be reciprocated. Don’t rely on text, but if possible, get to meet the person and share what you feel about them. Remember, you don’t need to chase clarity; the silence from the other end already gave it to you.
Make the wise choice, choose your peace over overthinking.
Sonali Swain
Sonali Swain is a Freelance Content writer from Delhi. She wishes to be an IFS Officer and is preparing for the Civil Services currently. She can be reached at sonaliankita18@gmail.com.
