Rebuilding Rob

As WordPress continues to recycle old prompts, I pulled another prompt from The Coffee Monsterz Co to respond to today

Do you respond to texts right away? What are some texting habits you have?

Text messaging is a funny thing. It started as a gimmick—a quirk for people to bypass a call—but today, it’s the standard. From automated business reminders to the primary way I communicate with my partner, Veronica, it has become our official mode of notification and connection. Interestingly, while we once aimed for a weekly phone call, almost all of our contact now happens via text.

Decoding Digital Body Language

For me, the “when” of responding depends entirely on the “who.”

If it’s someone I want to talk to, I respond as soon as the alert hits my screen. But if it’s a matter I’m not ready to deal with or a confrontation I’m avoiding, I wait until I have the capacity to proceed. In sticky situations, I treat my replies like an essay for school—revising and editing before hitting send to ensure my words are bulletproof. I even keep “message previews” turned on so I can read the gist of a text without triggering a “Read” receipt. It’s a tactical way to give myself space to breathe.

Victory on the Digital Battlefield

I learned this the hard way during my split with X2. Early on, especially regarding matters with Kid 2, texting became a battlefield. She was skilled at gaslighting and antagonizing, practically begging for a response to something outrageous. In the past, I’d fall for it. Eventually, I realized that just because you get a text doesn’t mean you have to answer it. Choosing not to respond became my way of setting a boundary and avoiding the “digital body language” traps—where sarcasm or malice can be read into every character.

The learning curve for texting etiquette is steep because the rules are being rewritten in real-time. We’ve moved from a generation that preferred voice calls to a society where almost everyone—from smartphone users to those with “dumb” phones—is tethered to a thread.

Ultimately, my habit is now one of intention. I’ve stopped accepting the “breadcrumbs” of high-conflict digital cycles. Whether it’s leaving a message on “delivered” to protect my peace or responding instantly to the people who actually matter, I’m using the tools of the “Tricorder” age to navigate a much more personal journey of growth.

Today’s post is inspired by the WordPress Daily Prompt. While I’ve taken the topic in my own direction for the Road to 1,000 Days, you can find more responses to today’s prompt HERE.

Thanks for stopping by Rebuilding Rob. Be sure to like 👍, comment, and subscribe below. It’s greatly appreciated! Also, feel free to follow me on social media and check out my recent posts!

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AI art created with Google Gemini.

The article “The Digital Body Language Gap: Why Texting is a Battlefield” first appeared on Rebuilding Rob.