What to text back when she says she's sick

In the first few weeks, someone telling you they're sick is rarely just a health update. It's often a pause button. They might have the flu. They might also be busy, overwhelmed, tired of texting, or testing whether you'll stick around when the momentum drops. The message itself is low-effort, which signals they're not in a high-energy state.

Take it at face value. Don't interrogate whether it's real sick or an excuse. Either way, the right move is the same: step back, don't demand entertainment or reassurance from someone who's checked out of texting, and wait to see if they reengage when they feel better. If it's a real excuse, pushing doesn't change anything. If it's real illness, you're respecting her bandwidth.

Your reply needs to do two jobs. First, show that you heard her and you're not bothered by the pause. Second, release her from any obligation to text back. Don't ask how she's feeling, don't suggest remedies, don't make this about you needing updates.

Instead, acknowledge her simply, maybe add a small kind thought, and leave it. Something that takes five seconds to read and zero energy to respond to. The move is: I see you, I'm not worried, take your time. That's it. You're being the person who doesn't drain someone who already feels drained.

After you reply, do not send another message for at least three to four days. If she's actually sick, she's resting. If she's not, she's managing other stuff. Either way, her next move tells you everything. If she texts you when she feels better, that's real interest. If she goes silent, you have your answer.

Don't check in after two days with 'hope you're feeling better.' Don't send memes to cheer her up. Don't do anything that puts the ball back in her court when she's already told you she's out of play. If she ghosts entirely after a week or more, move on. But most of the time, if someone's actually interested, they'll circle back when they have energy again.