Respond when he stops asking questions and goes surface-level

This isn't a random mood. When someone stops asking follow-up questions and starts asking basic 'how was your day' stuff, the investment has gone down. Early dating usually has real curiosity. 'How was your day?' paired with no depth means he's either distracted, talking to someone else, or has already decided you're not a priority.

The thing to notice is the pattern, not one message. One small-talk text. Could be a tired day. A shift where every message is surface level. That's him showing you where you stand. He's still texting, so it doesn't feel like rejection. But it's the texting equivalent of taking you to a coffee shop instead of dinner.

Your reply has to do two jobs at once. First, give him a real opening to ask something or share something. Don't make it easy for him to small talk back. Second, make it clear you're not going to carry the conversation by yourself.

The move is to answer his question fully, then ask something that requires a real answer. Not 'How about you?' That's too easy to brush off. Ask something that signals you were actually listening to him before, or something that shows you want to know him better. Then stop. Don't follow up. Don't add another message. If he goes back to small talk or doesn't reply, you have your answer about his interest level.

Send your reply and give it 24 to 48 hours. If he responds with another small-talk question or a one-liner, that's the signal to stop investing. You've offered a real conversation. He didn't take it. Respond once more if you want, but keep it short and don't ask anything. After that, you're just texting yourself.

If he doesn't reply at all after your attempt, the same rule applies. Stop. Don't send another message asking why he disappeared or trying to reignite it. The small talk was already the slow fade. Your job now is to notice it and move forward instead of staying in the conversation waiting for him to care again.