It is so easy to get wrapped up in analyzing the words of people’s text messages. Texting can be much more convenient than calling and it has a 209 percent higher response rate than phone, email, or Facebook (Why Do People Rather Text Than Talk). However, when people use text messaging over picking up the phone and having a conversation, the tone can be unclear and there can be many misunderstandings.
Sometimes, it can be easier to express oneself in writing rather than speech. Yet, sarcastic jokes or short responses can possibly come off as rude. Although this is true, over analyzing can be self-destructive.
It is important to be straightforward in your own communication and not play a game with the other person who is probably just trying to do the same. People feed off each other and if someone feels like you are being standoffish or rude, they will be confused and do the same. Here are the three most common phrases that people overthink when used in text messages, and reasons and why you shouldn’t worry.
“K”
“K” is a commonly used text message usually letting someone know you acknowledged their previous text. However, there can be a hidden meaning behind it. Even though it can be used as a shortened version of “okay” or “OK,” meaning you are in accordance with their last message, it can also mean that they do not feel like texting you anymore. This phrase can be used to prove a point and can be dismissive. Sending a single capital “K” will prove your point and hit it hard. “Did they reply “K” because they’re in a hurry, or are they pissed?” (5 Tips for How to Stop Overanalyzing Those Text Messages).
“Lol”
“Lol” is the frequently used acronym meaning “laugh out loud.” However today, this acronym no longer gives this same meaning of showing an emotion impossible to express online. According to this article, “lol helped people to pretend to laugh out of politeness or awkwardness, and then became an easy, disinterested throwaway to end a conversation,”(I hate myself lol: Why “laugh out loud” means everything but). By using “lol” as a sarcastic phrase, it now takes the meaning out and makes the receiver overthink the conversation.
“I’m fine”
“I’m fine” is a normal response to the question “how are you doing,” but this phrase is sometimes easier to say than actually saying how someone feels. By saying “I’m fine” the person asking thinks they are okay and can move on. Today, this can confuse the receiver of the text, because people now say “I’m fine” when they do not want to communicate their actual feelings or they are mad. According to this article, “In the chronic illness world, ‘I’m fine’ masks what we really want to say. It may not reflect how we are truly feeling. A real answer may be extremely more complicated to explain. But a lie is easier for the person asking to hear. A lie takes the pressure off of you. You do not have to explain every ache and pain that you are feeling.” (15 Things I Really Mean When I Say ‘I’m Fine’).
It is important to look past these changed colloquial phrases and not get anxious over their meanings. These phrases are all used when people are not mature enough to actually communicate their emotions. This makes relationships so much harder than they need to be. Furthermore, even though people put way too much thought or power into text messages, they are just text messages and if someone wants to let you know how they feel, they should come out and say it or call you, and you should do the same.