We all know that friend—the one who texts like they’re being forced to do it. Short, lifeless replies. No effort to keep the conversation going. Talking to them feels like talking to a wall, and suddenly, texting feels more like a chore than a conversation.
Don’t be that friend.
I’ve been on the receiving end of dry texting, and let me tell you—it’s frustrating. You send a funny meme, and all you get back is “lol.” You ask how their day was, and they hit you with a dry “good.” No details, no energy, nothing to work with. It makes you wonder why you even texted in the first place.
Texting is supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to feel like a real conversation, not an awkward back-and-forth that goes nowhere. But the good thing is that this habit is easy to fix. With just a little effort, you can make your texts more interesting, more natural, and way less painful.
Here’s how.
What Is ‘Dry Texting’?
“Dry texting” sounds kind of funny, right? Like maybe it has something to do with texting in the desert. (Okay, bad joke—but stay with me.)
What it actually means is boring, lifeless texting. You know the type—one-word replies, no enthusiasm, and zero effort to keep the conversation going. Instead of a real response, you get a plain “ok,” “lol,” or worse, just an emoji. It’s the texting equivalent of a dead-end road, and it can make even the most exciting conversation feel exhausting.
If you’ve ever been on the receiving end, you know how frustrating it is. And if you’re the one sending those dry texts? Well, it might be time to step up your game. Let’s fix that.
Read More: 7 Ways Modern-Day Texting Is Ruining Your Life and Relationships
6 Tips To Make Your Texts Less Painful
1. Stop Answering Like a Robot
Dry texting happens when people send the bare minimum response. If someone asks, “How was your weekend?” and you reply with “good”, you’re basically shutting down the conversation.
Instead, give a little more. You don’t need to write a novel, but something like, “It was great! I went hiking on Saturday—super tiring, but totally worth it. How about you?” keeps the conversation going and gives the other person something to respond to.
Think of texting like a game of catch—if you just drop the ball, the game’s over.
2. Ask Questions (And Make Them Good)
One of the easiest ways to fix dry texting is to ask questions. But not just any questions—good ones.
Instead of the usual “how was your day?” (which often leads to a dead-end “good” response), ask something more specific:
- “What was the best part of your day?”
- “Anything funny happen today?”
- “I saw this meme and it reminded me of you—what do you think?”
Good questions show you actually care and make texting feel less like a chore.
3. Use Emojis, GIFs, and Voice Notes (But Not as a Crutch)
Words aren’t the only way to make texting fun. A well-placed emoji, GIF, or even a quick voice message can make a conversation feel more real. They add personality, tone, and emotion that plain text sometimes lacks.
But there’s a catch: don’t use emojis and GIFs as a lazy excuse for a real reply. If someone texts you a heartfelt message and you respond with a single thumbs-up emoji, you might as well be dry texting in a different language.
Use them with words to keep things interesting.
Read More: 8 Signs of an Emotionally Draining Person to Look Out For
4. Match Their Energy
Imagine you send a text like, “Guess what? I just got my dream job!” and the other person replies with “nice.” Feels terrible, right?
Matching energy is key. If someone texts you with excitement, respond with excitement. If they’re being playful, be playful back. No one wants to feel like they’re talking to someone who couldn’t care less.
Even if you’re not feeling super energetic, a simple “That’s amazing! Tell me all about it!” shows that you’re engaged.
5. Stop Leaving People on Read (Or At Least Acknowledge It)
One of the most painful forms of dry texting? Being left on read.
Life gets busy, and sometimes you can’t reply right away. That’s totally fine. But if you consistently ghost people mid-conversation, they’ll stop reaching out altogether.
If you’re too busy to text, just say something simple like, “Hey, I’m swamped right now, but I’ll text you later!” That way, the other person knows you actually want to keep talking, even if you can’t at that moment.
6. Add Something to the Conversation
The best way to prevent dry texting is to always add something new. If someone says, “I had pizza for dinner,” don’t just say “nice.” Instead, respond with:
- “Ooh, what toppings? I’m a pepperoni person all the way.”
- “Pizza sounds amazing! I had tacos tonight—now I’m craving pizza too.”
- “Oh man, I haven’t had pizza in forever. Where’d you get it from?”
See the difference? You’re keeping the conversation alive rather than shutting it down.
Read More: 14 Things Men Say And What They Really Mean
At the end of the day, texting is just talking—without the talking. If your conversations feel dry, it’s usually because there’s no energy, curiosity, or effort.
But the good news? It’s an easy fix. A little effort goes a long way in making your texts more fun, natural, and engaging. So the next time you’re about to send a one-word reply, stop yourself and think: How can I keep this conversation going?
That’s how you stop dry texting for good.
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