6 Times It’s Okay to Leave Someone on Read

Somehow, someway, being left on read became this really awful, scary thing.

In this day and age, we all require instant gratification, so when someone doesn't respond to our text and opts to leave us on read, it's enough to send us into an unnecessary panic. Been there one too many times.

We were lucky enough to learn early on that being left on read isn't as big a deal as we all make it out to be. In fact, there are plenty of times when it's more than acceptable to do it to someone else.

Keep scrolling to discover when it's okay to leave someone on read!

When You're Incredibly Busy

We're all busy. Many don't like to hear this excuse, but we'll allow it. As people who are constantly juggling 450 different tasks to complete at any given time, we feel there's validation in saying you're busy. So don't let anyone convince you otherwise. Anyway, if you're so, so busy that you read a message and can't respond, let it happen. You can deal with the fallout later, just get done what you need to and move on from there. The person who you left on read will hopefully understand, but if they don't, appease them with donuts. You can win over anyone with donuts.

 

When You Don't Know How to Respond

Sometimes you experience a fight over text. Whether it be with a friend, family member or S.O., you're not always going to know how to respond. When that happens, it's okay to leave them on read, collect your thoughts, then respond after you've taken a moment to calm down. Listen, there's nothing worse than getting heated and saying something you didn't mean because of it. Let that anger, guilt, resentment pass through you, compose yourself, then write the text. You'll feel so much better doing so.

On the flip side of this, sometimes you don't know how to respond to really great texts (i.e. your crush asking you out or your parent's announcing you're getting a puppy). Leave them on read, celebrate a little bit, then send them a text when you're good and ready. People can wait, even though they might not want to.

(Pretty Little Liars via Freeform)

 

Also read about: What Does the 😈 Emoji Mean?

 

When You Shouldn't Have Even Read the Message in the First Place

We've all received texts we shouldn't have even opened in the first place. We're not talking about spam here, but rather messages from our exes, whether that be a bestie or an S.O. It happens. And, because humans are innately curious creatures, we open them when we should've deleted the message before it even hit our inboxes. How we'd do that, we have do idea, but you know what we mean. Anyway, if you read that and know you shouldn't respond, don't. Leave them on read and walk away. Even delete the message if it makes you feel better. We know that works for us.

 

When You're About to Do Something Important

We guess we need to clarify what we mean by important here, but why? What's important to one isn't necessarily important to another, but that doesn't minimize its importance. Do you follow? Basically, we're referring to any time you're about to do something when your phone won't even be in sight. We all have our phones on us 25/8, but sometimes we're required to put them away and do something (wait for it) important.

This may be taking a huge exam, going to the doctor's office, getting your braces tightened, whatever it may be. If you leave someone on read during one of these moments, chances are they'll completely understand when you respond days later after realizing you never replied to their text. We have all been there.

(iZombie via The CW)

 

When You Need a Moment

Life can get pretty overwhelming fairly often and fairly quickly. Again, we all have a million little things to do and so many expectations to uphold. During those times, it's nice to unplug and stray from everything. When you feel as though you're drowning because of everything going on in your life, and you get that text that really sends you off the deep end when it shouldn't, read it, then walk away and take some time for yourself.

You deserve it. Unless the message is something that requires a response immediately (which we're guessing it doesn't), don't feel bad not responding for a few days or even ever. If they really need an answer, they'll talk to you in person. It's just a text, not something that needs to be taken seriously.

 

Also read about: 14 Questions to Ask Your Crush Over Text to Keep the Conversation Going

 

When the Conversation Has Run Its Course

A conversation isn't a circle, it always has an end. Sometimes you don't need to respond to someone's "haha" or "lol." Leave 'em on read and move on. If they really want to keep the conversation going, they'll find a way to make it happen. Or if you suddenly come up with something that's worth starting it back up again, don't be afraid to reach out. You might've left them on read, but chances are they'll get over it. Again, if not, there are always donuts.

(Gossip Girl via The CW)

 

Leaving people on read is somewhat fun, until it happens to you when you're in the heat of texting your crush. HERE are all the reasons why they likely left you on read.