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Many toxic behaviors are more obvious in face-to-face interactions, but what if they hide behind their phones?
While many videos cover toxic behaviors that occur in person, is there a way to detect these behaviors in text communication?
Well, it's simple.
Always listen to your gut.
Have you ever stared at your phone in total confusion wondering what a text really meant?
Texting can actually reveal more than we realize about someone's personality and emotional availability.
So in this video, we're going to talk about texting red flags you should watch for and what these habits might reveal about the other person's intentions.
The Vanishers.
They start strong, texting you often and showing constant interest.
Then, without warning, they disappear, mid-conversation or for days at a time.
When they return, they act like nothing happened, offering no explanation or apology.
This could signal a lack of interest in maintaining a connection with you.
This behavior can also indicate avoidant attachment, where someone pulls back when they feel too close.
In more harmful cases, it's a form of manipulation through intermittent reinforcement.
Intermittent reinforcement is when rewards like attention or praise are given unpredictably, keeping you hooked by making you hope for more.
This cycle can create a trauma bond, where the unpredictability strengthens your emotional dependence on them.
Pay attention to patterns, not just words.
If someone's inconsistency leaves you feeling confused or anxious, set boundaries or step back.
Healthy communication should feel stable, not like a guessing game.
The Nightcrawlers.
They only text you late at usually out of boredom or loneliness.
You don't hear from them all day, but once it's late, they send a casual, hey, you up?
While the occasional late-night text is normal, a consistent pattern might suggest you're not a priority in their daily life.
It might mean they see you as an afterthought or someone to fill their downtime.
This is a sign worth addressing.
The Minimalists.
If their replies are consistently short, vague, or dismissive, like LOL or okay, no matter how much effort you put into the conversation, it's a red flag.
But remember, context matters.
Maybe they used to send thoughtful messages at a point, but now they only respond with one-word answers.
This makes you realize you're the one keeping the conversation alive when you look through your chats with them.
This pattern shows they're not interested, or an inability to carry on a meaningful conversation.
The truth is, if you're doing all the work to carry on with the conversation, it's not a real friendship or relationship.
You deserve someone who matches your energy and effort.
Someone who is just as excited to chat with you as you are with them.
The One-Way Texters.
Conversations should feel balanced, but with this person, it's all one-sided.
They flood you with their life updates, but show no interest in yours.
They send you long paragraphs about their day, but never ask how you're doing.
This texting habit can reflect self-centeredness, or a lack of awareness about the need for reciprocity in communication.
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The Constant Critics.
They're always finding something wrong with your texts.
Whether it's your spelling, tone, or even the topics you bring up, their messages often leave you feeling self-conscious, and the criticism is sometimes disguised as jokes with extra emojis to mask their true intentions.
For instance, you send a playful howdy to start the conversation, and they respond with, what's that even supposed to mean?
It makes no sense.
Moments like these can feel dismissive and make you second-guess your words.
This texting pattern could point to controlling or narcissistic tendencies.
Constant criticism helps them feel superior, often at the expense of your confidence.
Healthy relationships, online or offline, are built on encouragement, kindness, and mutual respect, not nitpicking or tearing you down.
The Backhanded Texters.
These texters send seemingly neutral messages with an underlying tone of hostility or resentment.
They send you backhanded texts that confuse you when you try to deduce the meaning.
For example, if you're interrupted mid-conversation and take a few minutes to respond, you might get a text like, I guess you're too busy to respond, or never mind I'll stop bothering you.
This behavior reflects insecurity and passive aggression.
Over time, constant guilt-tripping can make communication feel tense.
It's important to understand that delayed response doesn't mean rejection.
Texting habits may seem small, but they can reveal bigger patterns in communication and relationships.
If any of these red flags resonate, take time to reflect on how they make you feel.
Healthy relationships are built on effort, balance, and respect.
Even through text message, pay attention to patterns and don't hesitate to set boundaries or have open conversations about how you communicate.
Have you ever texted someone with these texting styles?
What other texting styles do you think are red flags?
Share your experiences and thoughts in the comment section.