Here are a few things I have learned about texting as a relationship coach.
1.You should not make decisions or write those decisions in a text message when you are upset.
2.You should be VERY slow to respond to text messages when you are angry.
3.Your own mood will determine how you imagine the other person’s tone of voice as you read their text.
I can recall countless episodes of sitting in my office with a client who insisted I read a series of back and forth text messages between her and her boyfriend.
In most of these situations they were not asking me for advice. Instead, they were looking for validation. Validation of the intense feelings of frustration with a boyfriend who was in a full fledged emotional blame game with them.
In many of these situations, a quick read of the first few text messages revealed the problem.
I’m talking about the snowball effect of misinterpretation. Just one misunderstanding early in the text-conversation causes a splintering of perspectives. Almost like you and your boyfriend enter parallel dimensions, or alternate universes.
The context of a statement is misunderstood, but neither person realizes the misunderstanding has occurred. As a result, both parties continue the conversation under differing sets of assumptions about the other person’s thoughts and motivations.
The Text Message Land-Mine
That creates a land mine just waiting for one of you to step on. Because neither of you remembers having set a land mine, you both launch into a blame game fueled by frustration.
It’s amazing how often people overlook the possibility that simple miscommunication has occurred. And it’s because emotions (both positive and negative) can severely skew the way we interpret written messages.
The lack of vocal intonation, facial expression, and other nonverbal clues creates a much larger range of possible interpretations for written words compared with in-person communication.
There is a solution to this common problem. But first, let’s look at a real-life example of the problem as it unfolds.
Here’s a non-relationship example that happened to me personally two weeks ago. I got a bad muscle spasm in my neck from bad posture at the computer. I scheduled an appointment to see a massage therapist who has been very helpful for me in the past.
She had to cancel the appointment a few hours before we were scheduled to meet. She said it was because she was not feeling well emotionally. She texted me a long explanation, noting it was the one-year anniversary of her father’s death and she did not feel she would be able to give anyone a good massage that day.
I texted her back very quickly, because I was in the middle of a long one-on-one interaction with someone. I just wanted to let the massage therapist know that I was fine with her canceling. I didn’t want to wait for two hours to text her back because I didn’t want her to think I was irritated with her for canceling.
So here’s the text message I replied with: “Okay. I’m sorry to hear that.”
Later I discovered she interpreted my short reply in a way I had not intended. Her interpretation of my message was basically this, “I’m sorry to hear you have to cancel my appointment. I have nothing to say about your father. I’m irritated you canceled on me at the last minute.”
In my haste to reply, I had not considered this alternative meaning she could draw from my short response. It would have been better if I had waited for two hours and then taken the time to text her with a longer message that more carefully expressed my condolences.
The message I meant to convey was, “It’s okay that you canceled the appointment. I’m sorry to hear that today you are grieving the loss of someone you cared about.” Haste makes waste, as they say.
Because she knows me to be a friendly person, she casually brought up the issue a few days later and we easily resolved the miscommunication within two minutes of talking on the phone. However, things can go far worse when it comes to the more sensitive emotions shared by lovers.
Many of my clients find themselves in frustrating emotional battles for days or weeks after small misunderstandings in text messages that gradually turn into a series of angry texts covering every hurt feeling and angry thoughts either partner has had during the entire relationship.
All it takes is one wrong turn to unleash anger. Once anger starts to run the show, I often see a torrent of negative emotion that hijacks the relationship for days or weeks.
Here’s the solution to this common problem:
Whenever you start to feel frustrated or upset during a texting conversation, stop texting for five minutes, slow down your racing thoughts, and go back to the first few messages in the conversation to reread them in search of ambiguity.
If you find something that could be interpreted in more ways than one, you may have discovered the reason why your otherwise wonderful boyfriend suddenly became so annoying. He may have misunderstood something you said, or you may have misunderstood something he said. Usually, it’s the emotional undertone that is missed. People assume you understand the mental framework from which they are speaking.
The misunderstanding is often near the beginning of a text conversation. After that, emotions take over and no more misunderstandings are needed to continue fueling the fire of argument or hurt feelings. Get in the habit of searching for misunderstanding and multiple possible meanings when reading and writing your text messages.
I hope this post saves you from a few arguments or hurt feelings. Have a wonderful day!
James
Just started texting. Learning the hard way how misconstrued things can get. Glad I discovered your post thank you!!!!!
Thank you for this insight! I´m someone who constantly reads messages with my own frame of mind as guidance and it has got me into some bad misunderstandings before.
To help me communicate better with my new guy, I decided to share with him something that some people consider a little childish but it has been very helpful in my texts: emojis.
By telling him I have difficulties in reading pure text without seeing a person (I´m very good at reading face emotions), I managed to convince him to use emojis to convey his true state of mind and tone. I has really helped but you are absolutely right: waiting to answer better, not hastly, makes all the difference, specially when I´m feeling angry or frustrated.
Thank you, James. I always look forward to your emails. You have no idea how you touch and change lives and relationships of the people receiving your emails. You help us be better for ourselves, for our partners and everyone else around us.
Mai, you just made my day!! Thanks for the encouraging words. It means a lot to me.
James
James,
I consider you as one of God sent instruments to share insights to others to make connections/ relationships work.
Thank you. More Power in your career & God bless!
Thank you!
James, your message is SOOO spot on!!! Thanks for it & all you do to help others!!!
I am in a place of calm & peace, most all of the time NOW, so I connect with you deep within!!! ❤️
Hard .. when you’re dealing with a non-talker.
Agreed 232 days now Married 28 years and no idea of why !
I have such a big problem as all I do with my boyfriend is text. He lives in another country, different time zone. So I find myself doing long-winded texts to explain. But we only have short periods of time so it really is hard. I have misinterpreted txts before but the length of time we have i dont have time to stand back and take my time. He is very understanding and never takes anything the wrong way. If i appear upset he always asks “ what is the problem? honey ? Then he brings me back down to earth again. We have also coined a phrase he can say to me if i am getting it wrong and i become worried. It always works. It is hard tho 🥲
Wow…lol this used to happen with me and somebody ALL the time ! I literally used to say it’s like we’re on different planets and he wouldn’t understand what I was talking about but this article explains everything which at the time I knew and understood but I couldn’t get it across to him and it caused sometimes days and weeks of horrible texting back and forth it was a nightmare.
I always read people’s texts in their tone of voice and with their personality in mind I don’t read it with my own emotions or assumptions.
But….t I think a lot of people when they read text messages they just read the words they don’t take into consideration the person it’s coming from and their style of texting and talking.
Very interesting, wish I came across this article a few months ago.🤯🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤳📱
Hi James, Im so thankfull for your daily Messages and advices. Thank you so much.
Thank you for this message, James (very thoughtful and meaningful). Reading the “already sent to you responses” is very interesting and since many people do communicate with each other by text and email, it is a wonder that anyone has a relationship (and when it is working how wonderful they are).
Hi James, I sincerely thank you for all your advices and tips. Am a 38 years old woman who is married and I am now living a happy life because I have a person who guides me everyday. Lucky for your daily advice. It’s like you are my fortune teller, you know what I need in that time and you tell me exactly what I should do. The issue of misunderstandings when texting, it happened several times and I came up with a solution that we don’t have to text each other, rather call. We are now a happy family and my secret of happiness is you Mr James. Thanks once more
That makes me very happy. Thanks for sharing your success story!
I was in a relationship that was completely derailed by text messaging. We would say ugly, nasty, mean spirited things that we would never say if we were actually speaking on the phone or talking face to face. I now make it a rule with my boyfriend — no texting, except if it’s a very brief message. On my way! See you in a few. Love you! Any real conversation, we talk on the phone. That way nothing gets misconstrued. And if it does, it can be cleared up right away.
James can you talk about men who have baby mamas.I just turned 30. Most of the guys I tend to come in contact with have a child. I love kids and love hearing them talk about their kids but I find these guys to be emotionally unavailable. One guy was living with his brother ,in school, worked at night and was not on child support.he wasn’t ready to be in a relationship because he couldn’t handle emotional stuff. He had his daughter on the weekend so I just saw him weekdays. And we did just about nothing. Was in a relationship with another who was abusive . And the other pretty distant but still wanted to do relationship type stuff when he felt like it.
Dear James,
I am an emotional texter. I am always told to not text after an argument because I tend to pour out the pain that way. I know how to chase a guy away by texting. I’m a pro and not proud. I’ve realized its impossible trying to get a guy to understand how he’s hurt you unless he wants to understand. Men are stubborn and they do a lot of projecting upon us women. Why are men never wrong?..I’ve also used my emotions for good ? one article stated men want our respect and emotions. I’ve seen that worked. Especially when they clam up.oh and I did test a guy that liked me he failed miserably. I told him I have a single friend for his brother.. Or him and he asked me to charge my phone that off so he can see the picture. Then he lusted after the picture and had the nerve to ask for the number. He then tried to act like he was joking but I know he was serious. We didn’t text each other for two weeks cold turkey then I messsaged him on what’s app he read my messages but wouldn’t respond until I said I love him but he would never feel the same for me. This is the first time I’ve revealed to him how I felt besides our regular I like you exchanges. Am I manipulative or too much for men? Lol because I am always told I am . and I like to create conflict. Why are men so evasive. Clearly he knew what he was doing
I honestly don’t feel you have met the right guy yet.
Texting is hard. My boyfriend is in another country and time zone. We txt 3 times daily since meeting 7 months ago. I am emotional, most women are. Men are not well most of them. We had rows in the beginning but now i understand him better. We can’t call as he can txt in my language but not speak it quite yet. He’s very supportive tho so thats why im saying u haven’t found the right guy. Don’t ask too much in the beginning, ask about him and his likes and dislikes. Don’t concentrate on yourself too much. That can come later when he realises he’s interested in you. Dont rush. Try and understand where you are both coming from especially if you are different cultures. I think ur jumping in too quick which i get as we only have around 25 mins or so but we ask how each other is and then move on from there. Give the benefit of the doubt, don’t always think he is setting u up. You will soon find out. If he’s for you it will soon become apparant. It did with us. I made him laugh, i have no idea how but i amused him and i found i liked that as i knew he was interested!
Calm down read what was written then answer. If you want to fight for the sake of it then why? You don’t know what you want? Slow down. A few nice words are better than lots of awful hurtful words.
Hope you find someone, I really do.
Hi James, I’m in love with a guy at work. Problem is that he’s real busy. Although he takes out the time to talk to me, it’s getting more infrequent by the day. When I try to mention this to him, he points out that he is doing his best. He makes me feel good but of late, I’m missing the romance. I love him so much and not being able to understand what he wants is frustrating, more so because he doesn’t reply to texts and emails saying he’s busy. What should I do, James, to communicate to him that I want him to open up and understand me? I’m desperate.
Hey, Kul. I recently released a short report that targets strategies for dealing with this kind of problem. It’s available here.
You are a calming presence with an excellent understanding and acceptance of our foibles and emotional issues. I respect your wisdom. Your insights are invaluable. Thank you.
I’m so thankful for people like you, Rosemary. Thanks for going out of your way to make my day with that kind comment.
I just need help, I’m talking to this one guy I think is real cool but I don’t know what to say when it gets awkward and neither of us know what to say
Hi Deborah. Check out this post I wrote on the topic of those silent moments: The First Moment of Silence
Thank you for this message, James (very thoughtful and meaningful). Reading the “already sent to you responses” is very interesting and since many people do communicate with each other by text and email, it is a wonder that anyone has a relationship (and when it is working how wonderful they are).