217 Comments
User's avatar
Fiona🌻's avatar

I love what you wrote, and I think it works for friendships too. I used to think I would lose my friends if we didn't text every day

Imayeshab's avatar

Thank you! And I agree, it works in all relationships

Jolaade Akanmu's avatar

I used to have the same mindset too

Francisco Rêgo's avatar

wow, has a stranger just put to words the story of my past 3 months? it's just weird how I've been in the exact same situation you are describing but inversed. she was the one that started the conversation, we've been out 2 afternoons since the start of it and up until a month ago communication was good, almost every day and mostly reciprocal. but recently-ish she stopped showing that much interest, I've been the one starting the conversations and... she didn't ghost me but I feel like she's just lost interest. the last time I asked her out she said she didn't have the time for it, and for a fact I know she (mostly) didn't. now what do I do? i guess I should let go but I don't know if I can do that. anyways thanks for this amazing article

Imayeshab's avatar

Im glad you enjoyed the read!

niyens notes's avatar

Oh you definitely can. I am in a similar situation as well. It’s a decision you take gradually. It’s in tiny bits and fragment. Slowly, you would start noticing that you no longer mourn or crave that closeness. I wish you the best though.

Francisco Rêgo's avatar

thank you for your comment, I do believe so, if only it where easier. you know, I'm reading dostoyevsky's white nights and there is this ever present idea that people should just express their feelings openly, clearly and simply. no more excuses nor making a game out of other people's and even their own feelings. God... if only everyone read dostoyevsky

existingwithama's avatar

I’m way late but if you’re in the same situation then the best solution is to leave trust me. If you have to filter yourself and shrink your self for love then you’d be neglecting yourself for the sake of being chosen.

existingwithama's avatar

oh i hear this. I might’ve responded based on my experience.

Francisco Rêgo's avatar

never too late for good advice, Im the one who's late (unfortunately I've been away from substack for quite a while, hope that changes) I get what you are trying to say, but at the same time I don't feel like I have to filter nor shrink myself with her and most importantly I wish not to loose a friend I've just made, do you get it? It's hard I know, we've been talking more lately but its the same old on and off friendzone kind of talk

Reem's avatar

Me too, it sucks.

Twentysomethingyearold's avatar

It’s so hard to let go 😭

tar's avatar

Maybe she even stumbled upon article like this..jk

On a serious note , we all have faced such situations at times.and we all can agree how unproductive it felt looking back ..

Now i believe you also have read the article.. soon you will get to realise what the connection really was but only after a time of reflection... As it wasn't their... often it's just us who creates their delusional self .. but actually isn't their ..

And I feel we all need to put boundaries and be mindful of before allowing someone to root in us .. so that we don't end up at the stage of practicing 'law of detachment'..

As this accessibility of people being at on tab it's just saturating the Art of real / realtime connections and Art of putting efforts...

So , just remember 'when something leaves, it's god creating room something much better'..

( Just my opinion,open for others )

Kamilah Khelili's avatar

YES!!! I am super against the talking stage before meeting someone for example. It is not real. Also, we are all adults with a million things to do. If you are glued to your phone all the time that is not a flex. That means you are not busy enough with non digital real life things.

aly's avatar

"The problem with constant communication is that it tricks you into feeling like you’re owed something — effort, consistency, presence". THIS. This line resonated with me so much. I'd also like to add that constant communication builds expectations and when not met, it hurts. And you start to question if they care at all or if you ask for too much...

Tria Oshun's avatar

This is where I do my own shadow work about the longing and attachments. Its been a healing situation ✨️ I do believe we are all refelections of each other. And that "false intimacy" gives an opportunity to unpack some things within.

Hunney's avatar

“Don’t confuse attention for intention.”🫶🏼

Yeng's avatar
Dec 25Edited

the thing is, i don’t mind not talking everyday, or one needs a few days away. as long as i’m made aware of. but ghosting is just plain wrong for me.

ppl are busy, have their own business, probably dealing with something. but if you’re dating someone or you talk to someone daily, i think it’s right to set clear expectations.

Diary made it to the public's avatar

What about a potential long distance relationship 😭

Imayeshab's avatar

I think that’s a little different, but I’d say phone calls and FT are more intentional

niyens notes's avatar

This doesn’t apply to long distance relationships entirely.

A.N's avatar

Exactly what I was about to ask too

weriz's avatar

every girl (me) needs to understand this!!!

Mayada's avatar

Well written, i also read somewhere here that “attention is the cheapest form of intimacy” and i feel like it goes along with this .

Imayeshab's avatar

Thank you!

wandering and whisper's🎀's avatar

This was meant to find me cause why is it Soo relatable, beautiful piece

Imayeshab's avatar

Thank you !

Sidney Hummel's avatar

Thank you for this. Great read.

I have a super close LDR friendship & it took us a while to learn how to build closeness after the initial "omg txt & call 24/7!" wore off. We've spent a week together in person by now, and are planning our next in-person for June, which feels way too far away because you're right---the in person adds a completely new, spiritual layer that deepens or exponentiates what's there digitally (when there is a genuine foundation). And though he and I have established patterns around communication that work for us, I can still catch myself going, "No afternoon text?!" Sigh...

Imayeshab's avatar

I think it’s completely natural to have that expectation, I’m glad that this article can serve as a reminder 🖤

bella's avatar

So true to what I’ve experienced recently - definitely taking into 2026 to reduce down my texting with boys in the earlier stages.. seems to never end well!

Imayeshab's avatar

Yes! Honestly

SheHermit✍️🪔's avatar

So true and important to know. Beautifully written. ✨🫶

Imayeshab's avatar

Thank you 💗💗

arvin tebelin's avatar

for real.

Wilhelmina Paper's avatar

Another banger. You should definitely post more of your sub stack on tik tok. I'm hooked 🙌🏾

Imayeshab's avatar

Thank you 💗💗

Niara Thompson's avatar

This was incredible, put my feelings into words. At times I like to think, "if this were 1990 would I care so much that I didn't receive a text?" It also ties into how social media curates faux connection with friends, seeing their day to day without actually having to communicate and form intricate bonds.

Imayeshab's avatar

Thank you!